- Campus:
- IU Bloomington
How did you end up at IU?
I received a degree in 1988 from Vincennes University and then a few years later, I applied for a secretarial position in the Kelley School of Business (pre-Kelley era). I started working with the faculty in the Decision & Information Systems (D&IS) Department in 1991. At this time, the department consisted of the Information Systems and Decision Sciences faculty.
Could you explain some of the responsibilities of your role at IU?
From 1991-1993, I worked closely with faculty and doctoral students to support the work and class load (K201, etc.) of the D&IS department. I discovered very quickly while working with D&IS that I had a knack for technology.
In April of 1993, I was hired as a database coordinator in the Indiana Business Research Center (IBRC) and am still here 30 years later. My role at the IBRC is the management of data for the work we do with the partners in state agencies and organizations across the state. Over these 30 years I have been intimately involved in the transition from the VAX mainframe era to relational databases and database to web application development.
Do you have any advice for women and those of marginalized genders who work with technology?
Find your voice early in your career and don’t be afraid to use it. Don’t shy away from colleagues of different generations. Befriend them (young and old). Learn from them; technology is constantly changing. It may not seem immediately relevant, but their life and work experience is invaluable.
Is there a role model you look up to in your personal or professional life?
So many people deserve a mention here – but I think the one person I’d like to mention is Carol Rogers. She’s my hero. She’s the director of Indiana Business Research Center and has the biggest service heart of anyone I’ve ever met. Most importantly, she inspires me to work harder, better, smarter and reminds me how important it is for women to support women.
What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
Music is my everything. All kinds. Singing, playing, listening. I still see my name in lights and wonder if I missed my calling! I love travelling. I travel every chance I get. Looking forward to heading back across the ponds late 2024.