08/27/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/27/2024 10:09
I've worked at AU for 10 years. Before that, I worked in a similar role as an administrator at Columbia University Medical Center.
My job is to execute the priorities of the provost and provide direction for all academic administrative functions, whether it's related to the budget, human resources, registration, or a student inquiry. A typical day includes meeting with my team and deans, working on committees, and tracking registration and enrollment. My office is in Leonard Hall.
My go-to lunch spot is Qdoba. It is also great to have the University Club pop-up in the tunnel, and I'd encourage folks to give that a try too. My go-to order at the Dav or the Bridge is a drip coffee with room for milk.
While my favorite place on campus to steal a quiet moment is my office, I enjoy getting outside and running into people on the quad. Campus is at its prettiest right after Campus Beautification Day. Our grounds staff work so hard, and we're fortunate to have such a beautiful campus.
I show my AU spirit by wearing my collection of AU shirts when I'm grocery shopping or at the school pickup line. The person who helped show me the ropes is Vi Ettle, my predecessor in this role, who retired after working here for more than 45 years. I also learned from watching Mary Clark, now the provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of Denver, who was our deputy provost and dean of faculty when I started.
I found my community at AU through the welcoming people in the Office of the Provost and various projects, retreats, and committee work. My husband, Adam Auerbach, was a faculty member in SIS for nine years, so many of our first and lasting friends in DC are SIS faculty. The most famous faces I see on campus are faculty members, who are doing exceptional, groundbreaking work with their scholarship. There are too many to name.
My favorite day of the workweek is Monday. It might be an unpopular answer, but I am excited for a fresh start to every week. When I'm not at work, you can find me in the pickup line, or volunteering at my son's school in Bethesda. My hobbies include taking hikes with my family, taking my son to kid-friendly shows at the Kennedy Center, and attending comedy shows.
My most Washington moment was getting stopped on Massachusetts Avenue for the president's motorcade. The last great meal I ate was homemade beef tacos with all the fixings. The last great book I read was What This Comedian Said Will Shock You By Bill Maher. The last great show I watched wasCurb Your Enthusiasm.
If I wasn't at AU, I'd be a hospital administrator. A lot of my experience is in health care, so this role is an anomaly for me. But my job at AU is best because it allows me to work with this wonderful community. I am so inspired every day by our faculty, students, and staff. It's the people that make AU a great place to work.