With a title like this you might think I’m writing about the dangers of humor in the workplace – and humor in the workplace can be a bit fraught, but that’s not what this is about. Today’s newsletter topic is by special request and is really about getting me to tell a story on myself.…

When we moved to Austin in 2012 and started house hunting, as most people do, we had a specific list of items we wanted. I wanted to be able to get to the university without getting on either I-35 or Mopac and we needed a yard that would be big enough to support four dogs,…

In the midst of the second year of the pandemic, I was coaching a number of senior leaders who were struggling. They had made it through the time of being off campus but things were not ‘normal’ on campus. And their list of things to accomplish was as long as ever, but now included managing…

Years ago, when I read somewhere that knitting (or crocheting) and buying yarn are two different hobbies, I felt that instant recognition you get when someone points out something you have experienced, but haven’t named. Yes, I often buy yarn for a specific project. A friend is having a baby and I need the perfect…

Welcome to the start of the year! How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? For those of you who select one word for their year – do you remember your word? A few years ago, I shifted from resolutions and one word to making quarterly goals. I was doing really well on my goals last year…

As many of you know I had to be convinced to join social media many years ago. It’s not too surprising that it was a group of new professionals who got me to join Facebook. I was either a faculty member (for four years) or director (for two years) of the SACSA/NASPA Region III New…

This week it’s chilly in Oklahoma. For this person who has spent most of her life in Texas, it’s just plain cold. I know, I know, it’s not Wisconsin cold, let alone Quebec cold, but lows of 28 and 25 and 23, well, I think they are legitimately cold. And I have central Texas warm…

Several years ago, I wrote an essay for the UTSA Student Affairs Staff Newsletter. I told two stories of amazing customer service. There was a small independent pharmacy near our home. At the time I was taking a medicine I had to refill regularly and I went in on a Friday to find that the…

And suddenly it’s November. The days are definitely shorter and after this weekend, the nights will be darker much earlier. For those who work on campus, it’s a stressful part of the semester as deadlines loom as we count down the days to finals. For all of us the complexities of the holiday season are…