Today marks five years of my working in the UNC public university system. The first third of that time was at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing, and the remainder has been with NC State University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS).
Five years, in the grand scheme of things, may not be much. But these have been a valuable 10,000+ hours of experiences, relationships, and growth that I am genuinely grateful for. It feels like a good moment to look back, reflect, and give thanks for all the people who have helped me along the way to where I find myself now. I cannot possibly do justice to the full range of people and opportunities that have shaped this season, but if you are reading this and have been part of that story, please know this reflection is in honor of you, whether you are named here or not.
Looking back at my 20 months at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing, I remain very grateful for the opportunity to work directly with hardworking nurse practitioner students, with excellent NP faculty who cared deeply about equipping the next generation, with healthcare agencies and partners across North Carolina, and most closely with my immediate colleagues in my division. The nature of my role often involved complex needs, and like any position, it came with its stressful moments, but it was meaningful work.
One fun memory especially comes to mind. In the picture below, my colleagues and and I all appear to be wearing the same “uniform.” This was completely unintentional, and even more hilariously, we did not realize it despite having already been talking together for the first hour of the day. It was only when our supervisor walked into the office and stopped to ask whether we had dressed the same on purpose that we became aware of it. She took the picture for us, and it has remained one I enjoy returning to from time to time. In hindsight, it feels like a funny metaphor for the like-mindedness and deeply shared understanding I felt we had in the work we were doing together. I loved working with them both dearly.
Thinking about the last three-plus years at NC State CHASS, it has been a rewarding and genuinely enjoyable chapter. Many fields in the humanities and social sciences can struggle to have their value fully seen, especially within a STEM-centered university. Coming from a STEM background myself, I have found real meaning in using my skills to support and serve such a wide range of unique interdisciplinary areas of expertise.
One thing I have learned in this time is that the only constant in both work and life really is change. I have worked with four different supervisors here, and I have had the opportunity to work with (and hire) teammates who have each brought something valuable to our shared environment and to me personally.
During this time, it has been empowering to become a trusted resource for my department and my team, and to continue developing both my analytical and relational strengths through the behind-the-scenes work of helping run a department and through supporting my staff and faculty colleagues in doing their best work. I think the quality of my leadership is best spoken to by those who have worked with me, so I will refrain from saying much except this: I hope my colleagues, current and former, are better for having worked with me than they would have been otherwise.
One memorable experience I got to have in my time at NC State is the privilege of being the representative for my college to the university’s Staff Senate body. This was not something I had pursued. It seems that one or few staff members, still unknown to me, had put my name forward to be nominated, and then it was selected by enough colleagues to offer me the opportunity. I was grateful to have the opportunity to advocate for my staff colleagues and look out for their best interests while also meeting many other dedicated staff across the university caring for their own constituents. This experience is now behind me, but I cherish the time I had to participate in it.
Go Pack!