HR News

Q&A

What is your favorite aspect about your job?
I love working with students and helping to direct their career paths within the human services or other related field.

What employee benefit or activity would you like to see added to UNT World?
More teaching support and professional development activities for faculty such as a Teacher Excellence Center. 

What is your proudest work moment?
One of my proudest moment(s) at work is when I received an email from a past student who thanked me for preparing them to be academically successful in graduate school. That student is now a director of a large nonprofit in Las Vegas.

What is your proudest non-work moment?
When I learned I would be inducted into my high school's athletics Hall of Fame. I have also been married for 35 years, I have a grown son and a wonderful daughter-in-law, and three delightful grandchildren.

What is a fact about you that may surprise your colleagues?
I played basketball at Kansas State and went on to play professionally for two European teams with Bamberg and Hamburg.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE...
Book?: The Anne Rice Vampire series
Movie?: The Color Purple
TV Show: Game of Thrones
Inspirational hero?: May mother -- she taught me that service to others inspires the soul
Place to visit?: London
Restaurant?: Rosie's Rib Joint, Tulsa, Okla.
Celebrity?: Viola Davis
Hobby?: Restoring antique furniture
Charitable cause?: Lupus Foundation of America

Q&A

What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Ever since I was a kid, even though I couldn't name it, I always had an interest in public health and it wasn't until like until undergrad that I could put a name to what it was I wanted to do. My favorite part of my job is the collaboration, collaborating with students and learning from students, and then also community members on the projects they work on. That’s probably my favorite part.

What is your proudest work moment?
I get excited whenever one of our students has a problem; I’m just thinking of when the MPH students graduated, even though we couldn't be there in person, it's those types of moments and seeing their achievements is what I enjoy the most.

What is your proudest non-work moment?
When I lived in Florida, I did a lot of running, like half-marathons and marathons, so that was exciting. I don’t do that anymore. During that time, I had done five or six half-marathons and a Disney marathon. Now, I just do it for exercise.

What is a fact about you that might surprise your colleagues?
I can barely juggle, and my grandma-style hobby is knitting. I can only knit two things, either a hat or a scarf.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE...
Book: I really like memoirs and non-fiction or biographies
TV show: I have probably re-watched the West Wing five times
Hobby: Taking walks on the Trinity River on the weekends

environments on our campuses and workplaces. Read in her own words why she speaks publicly on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, her own story of progress and how attitudes toward multicultural programming are changing.

What does diversity mean to you?
At its heart, diversity is the fact of difference – people of different walks of life living and working alongside each other. But when we talk about diversity in the context of higher education and in terms of social justice, we usually mean something a bit more vibrant. I like the distinction Dr. Diana Eck of The Pluralism Project at Harvard makes between “diversity” and “pluralism”: Diversity is the fact of difference, while pluralism is the intentional and energetic engagement of people across difference. I think starting with acknowledging diversity and its many dimensions is key, but my ultimate goal is working for a more pluralistic world.

Why is it important to you to speak publicly on issues of diversity, including LGBTQ+ rights in the workplace and workplace diversity as a whole?
Engaging with people who are different from us helps us learn more about our shared humanity and (hopefully at least) commit to a more just world. Engaging with diversity also helps us find “our” people with whom we have common cause. I find it important to speak publicly on these issues for a couple of reasons. First, injustices and inequalities can hide in plain sight, and it’s incredibly important to bring them to light if we’re going to address these and achieve liberation for all. Second, I have been given an immense platform from which to speak – I hold a number of privileges that make it safer and easier for me to speak about these issues, as a cisgender, white, enabled, Ph.D.-educated woman. Even on issues that don’t touch me directly, I find it important to speak about how we recognize and address inequality and injustice, and also how we become more compassionate, more connected humans.
 
When it comes to LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace, my investment is personal. The majority of Americans surveyed in recent years believed that the Supreme Court decision that affirmed the legality of same-sex/same-gender marriages meant that all other forms of discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. were outlawed. This is not true. A Supreme Court decision in the last year affirmed that LGBTQ+ people are protected by employment nondiscrimination law; until then, it was legal in more than 20 states to discriminate against a person for their sexual orientation or gender identity in hiring and firing. LGBTQ+ people still do not have federal protection in the U.S. from housing discrimination, healthcare discrimination and more. We are dependent on our states, cities, counties or employers to enact nondiscrimination policies and laws. I do a lot of speaking on this both in my job here and as a consultant to businesses and nonprofits in Dallas-Fort Worth. Most people I meet are aghast to learn that this kind of discrimination is still legal. This is the kind of thing I mean when I say that injustice and inequality can hide in plain sight.
 
I also think it’s important for me personally to speak up because, as a bisexual woman, I have experienced the way in which bi- and pansexual people are sometimes erased in discussions of LGBTQ+ rights. Visibility is important, especially to young people who may be just coming to understand their identities – seeing queer adults around me was pivotal in my accepting and understanding myself, and I want to pay that forward.
 
Is there a particular personal story that you share that speaks to the intolerance or tolerance of our society toward people who fit into a diversity or minority category?
Yes! I have many, as you might imagine, but this one is my favorite. In 2009 or 2010, when UNT Dallas was still just one building (DAL 1), I was using the community counseling clinic here. One day after my appointment, my partner came out to pick me up, and we were sitting behind the building, facing where the basketball court is now. We were just sitting and chatting because it was a nice day. Like many LGBTQ+ people, especially in the South, we are somewhat vigilant in public – almost all of us either have had or know someone who has had a violent or hostile encounter with homophobia. We noticed a woman, probably in her 50s, watching us. She came up to us and asked, “Are you two together?” After a moment and a quick exchanged look, we said, “Yes.” And she smiled the BIGGEST smile and said, “Oh, I’m so happy for y’all. You are so beautiful together. I am so happy that it’s becoming more accepted. You two keep being who you are.” I never saw her again but I will never forget that.
 
You design multicultural programming, student activities and educational and social events at UNT Dallas. How have attitudes changed toward this type of programming over the years?
 Multicultural programming has changed a great deal since I was an undergraduate, and even since I was in graduate school. And so have attitudes toward it. There has been, over the last 15 years or so, more resistance in some sectors to this type of education – mostly from a colorblind, “we are all humans” perspective that either doesn’t understand why such programs are valuable or who feel threatened by the recognition of anything outside of the standard white American narrative. I’ve also seen important discussions among my colleagues about the ways in which such programming is often by default white-centered and geared toward making the members of the majority – white, enabled, cisgender, heterosexual, etc. – comfortable with difference rather than affirming members of marginalized or “diverse” groups. Even now, a lot of diversity program is “Add [insert group here] and stir.” One thing I love about working at UNT Dallas is that I sort of have to play the game on hard mode. Instead of making a mostly homogenous audience comfortable with difference, I get to work with students who are historically underrepresented in higher education in creating programs that they find affirming, educational and valuable. It means I have to continuously learn and fill in my own knowledge gaps, too. I get to create and co-create programming that is far more challenging than what I got to attend as an undergraduate. (I say that with no shade toward the folks who were doing the programming when I was an undergrad in the 90s – they were doing work that was appropriate to the time and environment, and it helped shape who I am today!)
 
There is definitely a current in discussions of higher education, especially over the last 20 years, that questions the value of student activities, multicultural and diversity programs and the like, because it is sometimes difficult for people outside of higher ed to understand how these programs benefit students. However, the research overwhelmingly shows that what happens in the “second space” (campus activities, programs, residence halls, etc.) is just as valuable as what happens in the “first space” (the classroom). It is through these programs that students learn to develop and apply critical thinking in a wide variety of scenarios, engage with difference, reflect on their own identities and values, build relationships and more. These programs and activities ideally build on what students are learning in the classroom (and vice versa) and help produce more well-rounded, compassionate and whole humans who are prepared to be part of a pluralistic and changing world – which is the point of education.

Q: How do I get started?
The key is to decide if you are going to do in-ground, raised beds or potted plants. Making this initial choice will help you determine what you can grow and how you can space the plants out. There are various things to consider here like if you live an apartment or if you live in a neighborhood with a strict HOA. Review this before you purchase your raised beds or pots. From there take a trip to the DIY stores or local nurseries to get an idea of what is out there, and you will also find many more options online. Raised beds are a great option if you have the space for them. They can vary in size and height and come in a variety of materials from wood (treated or untreated), metal, plastic or recycled products (like the recycled milk jug material our raised beds are made from at the UNT Dallas/Saint Vincent DePaul Community Garden) or various other options. I like the recycled products for their durability and environmental friendliness. Raised beds are also great because they allow you to add the specific soil you need for the best results for your plants. This will make it easier to plant, harvest and redo plants compared to our Texas clay soil you would need to work with if you did in-ground plants. Additionally, this eliminates any potential soil contaminant problems that may be in the soil which may be a slight concern in heavily populated metropolitan areas like DFW. I prefer 8-foot by 4-foot beds because I find this dimension aesthetically pleasing and, more importantly, easy to work in and around. However, these beds can be made in whatever dimensions you prefer. 

Q: What should I grow?
Texas is unique in its climate as we have 3 true growing seasons, which means you can nearly always have something planted or growing outside year-round. The beginning of April is a great time to start planting various crops in our region such as summer squash, watermelon, sweet potatoes, peppers, okra, tomatoes and various types of peas. All of these have various planting and watering requirements, so make sure to check out the specifics of the seeds prior to planting. From there, follow the directions for that specific cultivar or variety of plant to ensure it is getting enough water and nutrients through our sometimes brutal summers.

Q: What if I fail and my plants don’t grow? 
You are going to fail, and what I mean is that even the best gardeners don’t have 100% yield, so out of the gate with your first garden or first garden in a while, it will take time for you to hone your skills and figure out what works best at your location. Successful gardening is a marathon, not a sprint. I like to write everything down in a spiral notebook (temperature, weather, germination, height, major storms, pollinators, weeds, pests, etc.) so I can keep track and make adjustments as needed. This is probably just the agricultural scientist in me, but you will probably be more effective making changes with notes. Most importantly, celebrate the little successes, your first pepper or the first round of okra you can pick and fry up (if you have excess fried okra give me a call and I’ll take it off your hands). And don’t forget gardening is also about the experiences and memories you can make with others, and after the year we had in 2020, finding ways to connect and have these experiences (safely) is extremely important. 

Q: How do I get better at gardening? 
There are so many great resources out there for novice to expert gardeners. Our UNT System has some of the brightest scientists in the world, and you would be amazed at how you can boil down successful gardening to basic principles of biology, chemistry and ecology. So reach out to a colleague that may know some of these principles. Texas AgriLife Extension has great resources on its website and often hosts seminars on growing specific crops, identifying pests or weeds and other topics. You can also reach out and learn from or work to become a Master Gardener or Master Naturalist. Attending a local farmers market and asking questions of the individuals growing these foods can also be a great resource. And don’t forget at UNT Dallas we have a small team of agriculture experts who enjoy working with individuals throughout our DFW community interested in agriculture. There is always something to learn in gardening and growing, and there are some great resources out there. 

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