Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I grew up in southern Alberta, just outside of Coaldale, in the little hamlet of Chin. I attended school in Readymade and eventually in Coaldale for junior and high school. When I was 19, I moved up to Calgary to help my older sister in her restaurant. I worked for her while I was taking a two-year program at SAIT. Once I completed my course, I joined the company where I had completed the work experience portion of my program. I stayed there until my first son was born. I did not want to raise him in Calgary, so we moved back to southern Alberta. Once my son was a year old, I started working at ULethbridge in June of 1990. My first position was in the Department of Philosophy to cover a maternity leave. In September 1990, I started working for Utilities. During my time in Utilities, I had my second son in November of 1992 and met my current husband, Al Mueller, who also worked here at the University. We were married in March 2011. In October 2012, I moved up to the Facilities main office in my current position. Also in 2012, I received my certificate in Human Resource Management & Labour Relations. I started my courses the same year as my oldest boy. One semester, we both took the same class but at different times, so we were able to share books. He, of course, blamed me for keeping the books too long, so his marks suffered.
How long have you been at ULethbridge, and what do you do here? What does your job entail?
I have been working at ULethbridge for 35 years. I started as a clerk typist, then I was reclassified to a Program Specialist, and lastly to my current job, Manager, Facilities Administration. My current job took part of my old job with it. I manage the Facilities administrative staff, manage databases used by staff (CMMS Software ā TMA, SimpleK ā keys, etc.), handle everything budget-related, forecast and pay campus-wide utility bills. This includes forecasting the cost of any new buildings. Because I have been here so long, Iām everyone's go-to person to ask about anything related to the past.
What's the best part of your job?
Working with all the great people at the University, and especially within the Facilities group and being able to walk outside and see some form of wildlife (deer, ducks, geese, marmot, just to name a few).
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love to spend time with family, especially the grandkids. Everyone should have some so they realize how they change your life. We try to do lots of camping during the summer. We bring our kayaks to enjoy our time paddling on the water, and this year we are going to add fishing to the mix. We enjoy walking our dogs and, of course, manicuring our yard.