Center for Success of Women Faculty

What is your current job title and responsibilities?
I am a Coordinator with the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Office of Research & Commercialization (May 2005 to the present).  I assist in the operation of the IRB office, which reviews and approves all UCF research that involves human participants or their personal information.   I serve as voting member on IRB and review Exempt and Expedited submissions. I also serve as liaison between faculty, researchers, and students, as well as ORC administration and staff members.  I handle phone and in-person questions, plus other communication and outreach to the university community.

What is your history at UCF? (past job titles, responsibilities)
I have worked at a variety of jobs at UCF beginning in August 1991 with a part-time position as Thesis Coordinator/ Assistant to the Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, College of Arts and Sciences.   After that, I worked as a Coordinator/ Advisor in OASIS; as a computer support specialist in the College of Engineering; and as a Coordinator and later as Assistant Director, in the Office (now College) of Graduate Studies.

What is your favorite UCF memory?
My son, Dylan, attended the UCF Creative School for Children from Pre-K through multi-level first grade and it was a wonderful experience.  Events like the annual Thanksgiving feast, circus, and graduation were wonderful, as was everyday with the dedicated teachers at CSC.  

If you could change one thing at UCF, what would it be? ($ and time no object)
I would create a new Recreation and Wellness Center for faculty and staff members so that they could have access to recreation and wellness services at no cost, just as UCF students do.  Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve morale; having a convenient place to exercise, take classes in nutrition, and play sports would enhance the work environment at UCF as well as the health and productivity of employees.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your colleagues?
We spend much of our lives at work and there is no reason why we cannot have fun, in addition to being productive.   It is a wonderful thing to look forward to coming to work and a positive attitude enhances our experience and the service that we provide to the university community and beyond.  I have been fortunate to have colleagues who have become friends.

What is your favorite restaurant or food?
Italian food is my favorite because it is simple and delicious, plus there is great variety and wonderful desserts.

What is your favorite book or movie or song?
My favorite book is “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.  My favorite movie is “Annie Hall.”  And my favorite song is “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green.

What is your dream vacation spot?
Traveling in Europe would be ideal.  Florence, Venice, Paris, and London – it is hard to choose just one place – and there are new places that I would like to explore as well.

What is your favorite sport to watch or participate?
College football and basketball are fun to watch.  I play ping pong for fun and have a good serve.

If UCF was going to name something in your honor, what would you like it to be?
A rose garden – other plants and flowers are would be fine as well

If you could have lunch with anyone at UCF, who would you choose and why?
I would like to have lunch with Provost Tony Waldrop and talk about issues in higher education.

Who at UCF would you like to thank for your success?
Two wonderful supervisors:  Dr. Jose Sepulveda and Dr. Patricia Bishop.

Name and describe a teacher from you past who truly inspired you.
Fr. Andrew Walsh taught A.P. English at my high school.  He had enthusiasm for the subject and provided encouragement and helpful comments on my writing and other work. 

What undergraduate class/program inspired you the most and why?
Although I majored in English in college and took many great literature classes, it was a class in Astrophysics that inspired me to think about the universe.  One evening, we looked through the telescope to view Saturn and it is still a vivid and special memory.