Where did you go to school?
I got my B.S at Oklahoma State University. I graduated in 2009 and I majored in Biological Sciences with a heavy emphasis on Microbiology and Cell Molecular Biology.
Describe the type of work you do:
Right now, I’m the Executive Assistant to the office of the CIO and VP at OU. I work for the CIO and the 4 Associate Vice Presidents of IT. I manage their calendars, do research for them on new innovative ways to get students involved in tech. I also team up with our Marketing and Communications group a lot as I do the internal communications for IT and I am the departmental Liaison. I help with hiring and development of our employees and help coordinate events like the Academic Tech Expo. Another thing I started doing after I hired on was developing a Diversity and Inclusiveness plan for IT.
What led you to a career in technology:
It was really an accident. I needed a job that was more secure because my lab at OMRF was really struggling to stay afloat and I was worried about being job-less. I started throwing out my applications and was called in to interview here. After learning about the job and getting started I really fell in love with Tech and I’m learning more about the different roles in IT so I can advance in my career.
Why are you an OKWIT member?
Being that I am a woman and I have been in a STEM field since day one, I quickly noticed how underrepresented women were in science and again in tech. When I started my D&I plan for IT I learned of OKWIT and wanted to be involved as much as I could!
Tell us about your favorite book, TV show, or movie:
Favorite books are Jane Eyre (for my classic piece) and Prozac Nation. I’m very much a feminist and both these books are very pro female.
Favorite TV show: I love comedy, if anyone knows me, they know I don’t take life too seriously. I’m super sarcastic and I love to make people laugh so I love shows that make me laugh too. Right now my husband and I are watching Life in Pieces but some other shows we like are Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Teen Mom (don’t judge) and my guilty pleasure is any of the Housewives shows on Bravo.
Favorite Movie: depends on my mood. I loved A Beautiful Mind, 10 Thing I hate about you is one that I have memorized and I love you Man.
What type of music do you listen to?
I listen to top 40 stuff but I LOVE LOVE punk rock, what some may call Scream-o music. My husband I met and started dating in high school and we both had garage bands and were definitely the “skater kids” at school. Nothing has really changed, he still plays drums and guitar in his man room and we jam out to our favorite songs when we’re in the car together.
If you had a day off with no responsibilities, how would you spend it?
I love crafting. I’m someone who can’t just sit still and watch a movie. I have to be doing something. I also am really getting into gardening, I was never good at that, but suddenly I am. If I were with my family I’d love to just jump in the car and drive to Dallas and spend the day shopping or at the Aquarium.
What is your favorite app?
Pinterest. Hands down. That thing inspires me and keeps me so occupied.
What would we find in your fridge?
A mess! A mix of things for me and for my family…. Almond milk in all flavors, coffee creamers, cheeses, milk, yogurt, fruits an veggies, whatever I’m thawing out for dinner that night, superhero yogurt. OJ, eggs…the usual and probably a bottle of wine that is 3/4 of the way empty.
If you could change one thing in today’s society, what would it be?
The misinformation. I feel that a lot of the issues we have in society today are because we have leaders that face no consequences to making things up to benefit their agendas. We have a lot of people that blindly believe things and it turns into hate and judgment. I think a well educated world is a happy world.
