ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ

As the education support specialist, I manage a wide range of academic operations supporting our students, faculty and staff. I've been at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ for nearly five years, starting off as the curriculum coordinator at ATLAS before moving over to CEAS to manage the academic unit scheduling, the travel grant program and serving the Undergraduate & Graduate Education Councils and the curriculum coordinators group, as well as being the staff liaison for the Graduate Student Advisory Board (I was also the events chair & secretary for the Engineering Staff Council 2023-25). Outside of work, I love playing musical instruments, competing in darts and pool, reading an interesting non-fiction book with my cat on my lap, or finding myself an outdoor adventure like river surfing, skiing or climbing. 

What has been your favorite experience since joining the CU Engineering community?

Experiencing all the anticipation, chaos & joy of the first week of school ... especially the buzz & bustle from our brand-new engineering students in their First-Year Seminar sections!

What do you like to do to unwind?

For me, I like to use my hands for something. I enjoy crafting bolo ties to give to friends and family as gifts, or drawing, writing or playing musical instruments.

Where is the best place you've traveled to and why?

Colorado! I grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, where my love for nature and outdoor adventure was cultivated at a young age. Even though I have traveled all over the U.S. as well as a few countries, my experiences exploring the remote places of Colorado have always been my favorite. But the best place? Well, I have a special, secret spot not too far from Aspen I have visited every year since 2019. 

What's something most people don't know about you?

Most folks here at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ don't know that I'm a musician and love singing, playing, writing and attending local music events. 

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

"Nothing is permanent; life is short and unpredictable, so take your chances!" -a favorite college professor of mine paraphrasing the Epic of Gilgamesh

Describe one of your favorite traditions.

An old family tradition from Wisconsin I always embrace is to bake a batch of sweet nut rolls on a snow day. Apparently, this has been going back five generations on the Czech side of my family!

What is an ordinary moment in life that brings you joy?

Walking in the rain! There is nothing like the smell, and I love the cocoon of sound it creates.

What has been your favorite project so far, either personal or professional?

Although it's often a complicated and challenging process, I truly love coordinating and setting up the First-Year Seminar course each year. It always gives me lots of energy and excitement to keep in mind the 1,000+ students about to start their own academic adventures and begin propelling themselves in the directions they want their lives to take. 

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?

Oprah Winfrey

What was the first concert you attended?

My first "real show" was The Black Angels in 2011.

Interested in being featured in an upcoming HR newsletter?  Want to nominate a co-worker to be featured? Email ceashr@colorado.edu!