Like Mother, Like Daughter

by Lauren Bradfield

Sharon Carey has been with UTA since 1990 and has served in various capacities on campus. You can say that she is very versatile and always open to new opportunities. Sharon started as the Assistant Director for Recreational Sports and her office was in the Activities Building, which is now the MAC. She was with Student Affairs for 17 years before moving over to the Special Event Facilities (SEF) department, which included the College Park Center, Texas Hall, Maverick Stadium and UTA Tickets. After a brief retirement, Sharon came back to UTA and is now in the Office of Facilities Management overseeing the Housing Maintenance and Campus Custodial departments. Sharon’s time in the SEF department demanded many nights and weekends due to events held but that is no longer the case since she’s found Work-Life balance in her current role in Facilities.

Having been here at UTA for over 30 years, Sharon has worked with many folks. Her most memorable interaction was with past president Jim Spaniolo when while working on the College Park Center (CPC) construction. President Spaniolo tasked the team with moving up the completion date in order to host the first basketball game for that season. Talk about carrying a heavy weight on your shoulders! Not only was the construction a couple of months out of nearing completed but now they must speed up the process even faster. The CPC did open in time for that basketball game through the efforts of the CPC team. Another person who is memorable to Sharon is John Hall, VP of Administration and Economic Development. He has played a pivotal role in her professional career by serving as her mentor and role model during their 10+ years of direct work together.

Sharon wants people to know that she is an “open book”. Just ask her anything and she’ll give you an answer. Sometimes you may not like it, but she’ll tell you like it is. She also wants you to know that her proudest moments are spent with her family, and that she loves being a mother. She enjoys being there for her husband, daughter and stepson as they bring her great pleasure. Sharon has been married to Tim for 24 years and they will soon be grandparents. When asked who she would like to have lunch with, Sharon replied that it would be with her late mother who was an amazing woman with a strong value for education and social service. She was able to raise six strong daughters who contribute to society.

Being an open book does not necessarily make you an extrovert, at least not in a group setting like at conferences. Sharon does not like making small talk with strangers, but you wouldn’t know this because of her can-do personality. And it is ironic that Sharon obtained her first job out of college at a National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) conference where she met Jim Garrett and landed an interview with UTA. And the rest is history. If there’s one thing that Sharon would tell her younger self, it would be self-awareness. It has given Sharon a better understand of the people around her, which in turns create stronger relationships with them. Just be mindful how your actions may affect others.

Fourth of July firecracker hot dogs

by Lori Danyl Carter

Ingredients:

• 1 can refrigerated breadstick dough
• 16 hot dogs
• 16 thick slices colby cheese
• 16 skewers

Special Equipment:

• Star cookie cutter
• Wooden skewers

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   Set aside.
2. Take a skewer and stick it all the way through the center of the hot dog length-wise, leaving about an inch and a half exposed out of the top of each hot dog.
3. Take a piece of breadstick dough and wrap it around the hot dog in a spiral shape until you reach the top, leaving gaps in between each spiral. Repeat with the rest of the hot dogs and lay them on the baking sheet.
4. Bake hot dogs for about 20 minutes, or until the breadsticks are golden brown.
5. While the hot dogs are baking, use a star cookie cutter to cut out stars approximately an inch in diameter. Let the hot dogs cool and then place 1 cheese star at the top of each hot dog in the part of the skewer that's sticking out of the top.
6. Display the hot dogs using a styrofoam ball so they can stick straight up like firecrackers. Serve with all your favorites.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Work-Study Experience

by Lauren McLain

Patrick Estes is a senior in the Architectural Engineering program. His field of study is about the design of building systems – mechanical, plumbing, and structural. Patrick has been working in the Office of Facilities Management since June 2022 and works under the direct supervision of Robb Chock, Director of Mechanical Operations.

In Patrick’s role, he mainly focuses on energy efficiency in a building. He uses Excel to keep track of the HVAC equipment and the weather since outside temperatures affects their operation. After Robb assesses that a building’s system is performing inefficiently or is no longer code compliant, then Patrick uses AutoCAD to document the updated system design. Now and then, Patrick also changes air filters for the mechanical units. With onsite visits to buildings on campus and hands on experience at various mechanical and plumbing systems, Patrick has a better understanding of his textbook material. And the textbook information has also helped him understand better what he is looking at in the field. Patrick is learning that a building must be maintained within a budget, something which he has not even considered until now. Patrick attends project meetings as well as meetings with mechanical contractors. So, he is getting a wide range of exposure to real life experiences, and these will help prepare him for the workforce after graduation.

Patrick feels very fortunate to have found a job within his degree and to be treated as a colleague, rather than as a student. The work-study program is capped at 19 hours per week, but he normally puts in 15 hours. His work schedule does not impact his studies as he works around his classes, and his cross country and track activities are also not affected. We in the Facilities department are also very fortunate to have Patrick working with us as he is passionate about his tasks and enjoys learning while doing them. One of his fond memories is when he first started work and was taken down to a utility tunnel to identify signage for safety and exits. This tunnel is a 2-mile loop under the campus and has 3 passages under Cooper Street. If you see Patrick around campus, say “hi” to him. And if you have any questions about the work-study program, then he would love to tell you more about his experience.

by Lauren McLain

Elsa Corral is the gate keeper to the president’s office and has served 6 presidents – starting with Dr. Robert Witt and currently with Dr. Jennifer Cowley. Her official title is Executive Associate to the President and manages the president’s calendar of events and meetings along with other duties. She makes sure that the president is where she’s supposed to be at any given time on any given day. This coordination is hard work since everyone wants to have their time with the president. But this was not her first role at UTA. Elsa joined the university in 1988 as a housing leasing agent with Eric Leidlein, who recently retired after a long career at UTA. And before that, she worked 5 years at UT Austin. Throughout her career, Elsa has been blessed to work with great colleagues which developed into great relationships beyond campus.

Asking Elsa who was her favorite president to work for is like asking which one of your kids is your favorite. When pressed further, she said that she would have to kill you if she told you. Elsa did say that each president has the same goal of furthering the university beyond the previous. And that all 6 presidents treated her with respect leading to good relationships on and off campus.

The Mavericks Speakers Series established by James Spaniolo, former UTA president, is a beloved tradition for Elsa. She gets to meet famous speakers when they meet with the president beforehand. Elsa recounts two memorable guest speakers – Forest Whitaker, a movie actor, and Cal Ripken, Jr., a baseball player. What stood out about Forest Whitaker is that he is a very quiet and soft-spoken person which seems to contradict what he does for a living. As for Cal Ripken, Jr., Elsa loves baseball so naturally she is partial to him. She is also a dedicated Texas Rangers fan and has attended numerous baseball games at the two old Ballparks and now Globe Life Field. Elsa has even attended one of the Texas Rangers Awards dinners where fans can meet the players up close.

When Elsa was asked whom she would like to have a meal with, she mentions Hugh Jackman. Why? Because he’s hot! And entertaining. He is very talented on stage beyond the screen. Hugh Jackman started out first in theater and television. The man can act, sing, dance and produce so apparently, Wolverine has a soft personality.

Now that we know what Elsa does at UTA, let’s learn more about her personal side. She has two grandsons. The oldest attends UTA studying biology and the youngest is still in high school and he is a very good baseball player. Guess what – Elsa is his biggest fan and attends his games to cheer him on.

You may be surprised to know that Elsa was mentioned in a National Enquirer article that featured Eddie McGee, who won the first season of the Big Brother show. Eddie was on the Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team. He supported Elsa when she was hospitalized with Leukemia 24 years ago. You may also be surprised to know that Elsa gets nervous with public speaking despite the many university functions which she attends. When the Arlington Memorial Hospital opened its new Oncology unit, the hospital asked Elsa to deliver a speech because she was a former patient. To avoid disaster, she had to enlist help from a former UTA speech writer for President Spaniolo.

Elsa believes that you should enjoy life and do what makes you happy – to live without regrets. After surviving cancer, there’s nothing she can’t overcome. Batter up! Here’s to many more years of remission.

Pumpkin Survey Results
By: Mistie Maskil

92% said “yes”, the remaining 8% said “no”, they are a fan of pumpkin season.

We had a few participants leave comments:

• "Only seasoned pumpkin seeds."
• "Love the cooler weather, leaves falling, and it seems to be more activities and life events."
• "Love the varieties available and the great recipes that come from pumpkins; soups, baked goods, veggie chili."
• "I love the cooler weather and it signals the start of Thanksgiving and Christmas!"

Love the cooler weather, leaves falling, and it seems to be more activities and life events.

UTA Library Resources - Creative Spaces & Services

By: Lauren McLain & Mistie Maskil

Creative Spaces and Services, which you may know as the UTA FABLAB, is not only a space for faculty and students but it is also a space that staff may utilize as well, whether for personal or professional projects. We had the opportunity to get the details from Lauren Stutler, the Director of Creative Spaces and Services. All it takes is a little training, which you can get from student workers or expert staff, or more structured training for specific equipment. You can request consultations to assist in your project. FabLab users can provide their own pre-approved materials or pay only the price of materials via MavMoney.

The Creative Spaces and Services (CSS) is a dedicated department nestled within the UTA Central Library. It strives to empower students, faculty, and staff, regardless of their experience level, by offering a plethora of resources and opportunities for crafting an array of digital, tangible, and imaginative projects. The space is broken up into three sections: The Studios, The FabLab, and The Basement.

Image of the FabLab side of the Creative Spaces and Services Photograph

The Studios
A hub for inspiration and innovation, where you can bring your digital art and audio projects to life. This area is located on the northside of First Floor. Offerings encompass green screen facilities, photography studios, sound recording spaces, poster design and printing, and drone building. Access to expert guidance is available from both students and dedicated full-time staff.

The FabLab
A dynamic maker space designed to foster project-based, experiential learning for individuals across all disciplines and skill levels. The FabLab offers a comprehensive range of resources, including a workshop, 3D and vinyl printing, textiles, glass and ceramics studios, sewing equipment, and hands-on training to support innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors. The Work Shop will require more training due to specialized equipment such as plasma cutter, CNC router, welding and numerous power tools.

The Basement
A recreational zone designed to unwind and build connections throughout the day. Skilled students and staff are on hand to offer guidance in game development, while various gaming opportunities are available, including tabletop games, electronic gaming, console gaming, and PC gaming.

Additional information can be found on the CSS website or email them with specific questions.

Email: css@uta.edu

Website: https://libraries.uta.edu/services/fablab

Elevating Success Through Collaboration in Mentorship: The Maverick Momentum Program 
By: Sara Pezzoni 

The Office of Talent, Culture, and Engagement’s (TCE) Belonging & Engagement division has developed a new collaborative mentorship program geared towards furthering professional development of Staff Advisory Council (SAC) committee members. Launching January 2024, the Maverick Momentum program is designed to develop a culture of belonging and engagement through mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth. The six-month structured mentorship program pairs SAC council member mentees with mentors that are managers or directors who have completed the MavsManager program.

Each mentee will be assigned a mentor that is well-suited for their strengths, skill set, and experience.  

Prior to this program, the only mentorship program available to UTA employees was geared towards faculty, the UTA Faculty Mentorship Program offered by the Division of Faculty Success. The Maverick Momentum program’s facilitator, Veronique Jones, said this program fulfills the need for a staff-centered mentorship program. "Like the mentorship program offered to faculty, the goals of this program are to make sure participants in the program have an increased sense of engagement; to increase networking capacity of all involved; and encourage and facilitate professional growth. The feedback we received from the UTA People and Culture Survey showed that the biggest opportunities for growth involve employees feeling that others care about them and feeling that their opinions count,” Jones said.  

Initial sessions of the program will include discussion of the mentee’s professional goals, establishing that the mentor-mentee relationship is rooted in achieving those goals. The sessions will then center around five themes: setting personal goals, personal marketing and branding; autonomous engagement; topic of solutions-orientation; and feedback and growth. Jones said that the goal for these sessions is to “really maximize on those conversations—they're not just informal conversations but they are conversations geared towards growing professionally.”  

To join the Maverick Momentum program, mentees must be employed at UTA for at least six months, serve as a current SAC member, be in good standing with the university, and have supervisor approval to participate. Mentees are set to meet monthly with their assigned mentor for a minimum of one hour throughout the duration of the program, with a session conversation guide provided for each session. The program begins with a kickoff event to provide resources and tools needed for mentees to have a successful relationship with their mentor. At the conclusion of the six-month program, mentees will receive recognition for their participation at a capstone celebration.  

According to TCE, participants in mentorship programs are five times more likely to be promoted than non-participants, and mentorship programs increase engagement, performance, and retention for mentees by 22 percent. For those interested in participating in the Maverick Momentum program, applications will reopen in the Fall semester. For more information, contact Veronique Jones at veronique.jones@uta.edu or visit TCE’s Training & Development website: https://www.uta.edu/hr/belonging-and-engagement/training-development.

Inside SAC: A brief discussion with Christopher Templeton, Chair
By: Ashleigh Johnson

In a virtual meeting via Teams, I had the privilege of engaging with Christopher Templeton, Chair of the Staff Advisory Council (SAC), to delve into pressing questions that have been at the forefront of our collective thoughts.

One of the things that Chris mentioned is that right now, there are 20, yes 20, SAC representative positions available across campus. SAC can only operate so much without having the much-needed staff to fill these positions. There is a place on the SAC website to view the open positions but to make it easier, here they are:

• District 3 VP of Administration and Economic Development-7
• District 4 VP of Business Affairs-1
• District 8 Provost/VP of Academic Affairs-2
• District 9 VP of Research and Federal Relations-2
• District 12 Dean of the College of Education-1
• District 15 Dean of the College of Science-2
• District 17 Division of Student Success and Dean of the Honors College-2
• District 20 Dean of the Library-3

One thing very important to Chris as Chair is to have an open line of communication with the Community and with UTA Leadership. This means ensuring SAC is following procedures and setting up systems to allow for monitoring incidents/issues that are brought to SAC so that patterns are easily established and are then able to be addressed. Ideally, the goal for SAC meetings is an information-driven session, focused on problem-solving, and an open line of communication for sharing information, “Keeping a careful eye to limiting distractions that can take away from SAC making a true impact.”

Something else we discussed was about equity vs. equality. How you can approach your supervisor with “How can you provide equity for me as an employee within this department.” While every position in a department will not be the same, there are ways that you can work towards having equity in your role. Track your tasks and roles and gather data. Make sure that you’re showing what you can do in the office, or if you’re able to work from home. Chris had suggested (upon approval from the general body of SAC), providing resources for employees to be able to track their work, discuss with their supervisor, etc.

As someone who has never been involved with SAC and has only heard mundane things about it in years past, I really see a positive change coming with Chris and the Executive Board of SAC. There is a sense of urgency to correct, advocate, listen, challenge, and overall be what the UTA Staff needs.

While preparing for this article, I did some digging and learned that SAC does not currently have a Mission Statement. I was surprised but got to work with some new verbiage and will present it at the next SAC meeting for discussion and potential adoption of a new Mission Statement, so stay tuned to see what we create.

If you’re reading this and you’re not a part of SAC, but you have the passion and desire to help the University, send us an email to SAC@uta.edu. Let us know you exist. Find your district and get more information on how to become a SAC member. Without SAC, the staff voice isn’t loud enough. Even if you are not SAC eligible yet, you might be new, I would encourage you to get yourself on SAC's radar. SAC doesn’t know you’re out there unless you talk to them.

I’ll leave you with a quote from Chris regarding his role as Chair with SAC, “As SAC Chair, I want to forge new partnerships across the University and fortify long-lasting partnerships with new energy. The reason for this is so the Staff at UTA can have a far-reaching voice." 

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