Jacque Waleski

Academic Services Coordinator, School of Public Administration, College of Health and Public Affairs 2014 Womens History Month

What is your current job title and responsibilities?
Academic Services Coordinator, School of Public Administration, College of Health and Public Affairs

What is your history at UCF? (past job titles, responsibilities)
First hired in spring 2003 as Senior Secretary in the Dean’s Office for the College of Health and Public Affairs.   I was front-desk person – first point-of-contact.  In fall 2005, was honored to be selected for my current position as Academic Services Coordinator.  In this position, my primary responsibilities are to guide and support students in all aspects of their academic careers, beginning with their first inquiry about a program, through application, registration, and course work, right up to and through graduation.

What is your favorite UCF memory?
I was pretty jazzed when I received the “COHPA Employee of the Year” award.  Seriously, though, there are so many wonderful memories that it is hard to select one favorite.  Supporting the School of Public Administration through it impressive growth gives me a great of pleasurable memories!

If you could change one thing at UCF, what would it be? ($ and time no object)
I would increase overall resources for students.  Academically this would include an increase of available teaching faculty and courses.  For students, I would have the resources to fulfill any needs they have (not nice-to-haves, mind you, but needs).  These would include survival issues such as food, clothing, and shelter, and would extend to adequate funding for books and tuition, for example.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your colleagues?
Your thoughts truly create your reality – monitor them carefully!

What is your favorite restaurant or food?
I love the Dandelion Communitea Café (vegetarian/vegan) on Thornton Avenue – I could eat their “Summer of Love Rolls” forever!

If UCF was going to name something in your honor, what would you like it to be and why?
A space that provides spiritual support – maybe a really quiet building with meditation spaces and a labyrinth for contemplative walking.  Something that would allow someone to detach from the frenetic work-a-day world and go inside him/herself to calm.

If you could have lunch with anyone at UCF (who you do not normally eat lunch with), who would you choose and why?
Coach George O’Leary – football is my favorite sport and what the Knights accomplished this year is beyond wonderful.  GO KNIGHTS!

Who at UCF would you like to thank for your success?
My immediate supervisor and Director of the School of Public Administration – Dr. Mary Ann Feldheim.  She was hired as the (then) Chair at the same time I was hired as Academic Services Coordinator.  At that time the position of the Academic Services Coordinator was new and the duties were undefined.  Working together we created a position that one can get her (or his) teeth into and make it her (or his) own!  I’m proud to have worked for and with Dr. F.!

Name and describe a teacher or researcher from your past who truly inspired you and why.
Ms. Kathy Fournier – high school science teacher.   I was going through a very rough period in my life – teenage angst and a negative home life.  She took me under her wing and made me realize that I am a good and important person with tons of inner strength and a lot to share with others.

What undergraduate or graduate class/program/experience inspired you the most and why?
In my master’s program, we had a philosophical discussion of “ness.”   Anything connected to something has a “ness” to it.  For example, anything connected with me would have a Jacque-ness.   Anything connected to UCF would have UCF-ness. That discussion led to deep contemplation of the type of “Jacque-ness” that I wanted connected to me and the profound impact resulted in major changes to the way I lived/live my life.  What do you want your “ness” to be?

Contact Us

Linda Walters, Director of the UCF Center for Success of Women Faculty
Linda.Walters@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-1113

Mailing Address
Center for Success of Women Faculty
University of Central Florida
P.O. Box 160955
Orlando, FL 32816-0955

Physical Address
4365 Andromeda Loop N
Millican Hall, Suite 351
Orlando, FL 32816-1997

Internal Mail (UCF)
Center for Success of Women Faculty
MH 351
32816-0065