May 2024
Billy Pozehl
Research Manager, Center for Healthcare Engineering & Patient Safety (CHEPS)
Tell us about your work role? What’s a typical day to day like?
I am the Research Manager at the Center for Healthcare Engineering and Patient Safety. In this role, I lead our efforts in determining the technical direction of many of our projects. I also supervise the students working on these projects and help them to learn the engineering skills needed to tackle that work. My day-to-day is largely centered around supporting the students in these endeavors, leading them in brainstorming solutions, troubleshooting obstacles they encounter, and helping connect them with other project teams who have worked on similar problems to share knowledge.
What’s the best thing you like about your job?
Working with our students! One of the coolest things about CHEPS is that every semester, we have a fresh batch of CHEPSters whose experience we are responsible for crafting and making memorable. Every student is unique, so helping each of them find and explore their passion to improve healthcare is an ever-changing challenge that keeps my job interesting and rewarding.
Tell us a bit about you?
I’m originally from Sterling Heights, MI but I’ve now lived almost half my life in Ann Arbor. Born and raised to be a Wolverine, I arrived on campus in 2009 as a freshman. I studied Industrial & Operations Engineering, which is where I met Prof. Amy Cohn and joined CHEPS as a student research assistant. I continued through my Master’s degree (also in IOE) and then became full-time staff at the Center after graduation.
How about hobbies, activities outside of work?
I’m an avid Michigan sports fan. I have held season tickets for Michigan Football and Hockey since I was a student and I try to attend at least one or two games per season for Detroit’s professional sports teams. I have a dog named Annie, who I spoil with two to three walks per day, and sometimes too many treats and table scraps to count.
Advice to others who may be new to their role in the College?
It’s a big place and sometimes you may feel like an insignificant cog in a huge system, but every student you help will remember the part you played in discovering their passion, passing that impossible class, and starting the career that will make their dreams a reality.
April 2024
Karen Revill
Executive Secretary, ADUE Office
Tell us about your work role? What’s a typical day to day like?
My role is the Executive Secretary in the ADUE office. While no day is typical, I support the Associate Dean, Kevin Pipe and the office in general. It is a role that has a large variety of tasks and responsibilities. I do a fair amount of scheduling meetings and provide administrative support to various committees headed by the ADUE and sometimes the college. My biggest support project this academic year was helping with the college’s six year accreditation review visit with ABET which involved hosting a team of 12 program evaluators and 2 co-chairs.
Additionally, I keep apprised on undergraduate and university policies to be able to respond appropriately to inquiries. I submit our space survey and complete sensitive data reports. Organizing our office timeline and finding ways we can work efficiently are always a priority.
What’s the best thing you like about your job?
Having the chance to interact with people in differing roles in ADUE, Engineering and across the University and working in a learning environment are just a few things that are a highlight for me.
Tell us a bit about you?
I grew up in a small town in the Upper Peninsula and earned my bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. I am married to Troy and we have two sons.
How about hobbies, activities outside of work?
When not working, I enjoy swimming and flower gardening. My husband and I are up for new adventures and traveling. Outdoor activities and visiting new places is what we do most often. Our next big adventure will be in Alaska.
Winter river rafting in northern Michigan with friends. Multnomah Falls – Oregon (yes, we hiked to the top of the falls)
Advice to others who may be new to their role in the College?
Be open to learning about something new and attend events offered through the College and University. There are a great variety of events and don’t be shy about asking a colleague to attend something with you. Also, have conversations with those you meet.
March 2024
Audra Baleisis
Assistant Director of Core Programs, CRLT-Engin
Tell us about your work role? What’s a typical day to day like?
In addition to consulting with faculty on their teaching, my main responsibilities are coordinating the ETC (Engineering Teaching Consultant) program and the CRLT-Engin Seminar Series. The ETCs are graduate students who have GSI-ed at least one semester in the College of Engineering and are selected and trained to consult with student instructors in CoE (of which there are hundreds!). The Seminar Series consists of interactive workshops we run in Fall and Winter semesters to provide CoE instructors with new ideas to apply to their teaching – increasing student engagement, gauging student understanding, helping teams work well together, and the most recent equity-focussed teaching strategies. I do have a lot of Zoom meetings, but each of my days is different, which fits my personality (see below) very well.
What’s the best thing you like about your job?
The people. The ETCs and my colleagues at CRLT-Engin are some of the most thoughtful, creative and passionate people I’ve met at UM. I also love getting to support great people doing important work – finding ways to problem solve and inspire.
Tell us a bit about you?
I’m originally from Chicago. I have a Master’s degree in Astrophysics, and a PhD in Science Education, and I’ve spent a lot of time studying the ways academic science cultures reinforce norms (like being scared to look stupid in front of others) that prevent learning and growth in classes and in mentoring. I work part-time (60%) which helps me balance work and family/life. I have a spouse and 2 school-aged kids. I was diagnosed with ADHD during the middle of the COVID lockdown and it has helped me understand and accept my strengths (flexibility, hyper-focus on things I love, creativity) as well as my struggles (organization, time-management), and focus on ways to adapt to both.
How about hobbies, activities outside of work?
I love jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, knitting, coffee shops, travel, animal and birdwatching, and reading (science fiction, humor, non-fiction).
Advice to others who may be new to their role in the College?
For me, office culture and who the supervisor is is more important than the specific projects I do. If I can work with people who are kind, supportive, and creative, then I’m happy and inspired to do my best work. And I’ve seen a number of teams like this at the College. Also, the remote-work flexibility and support of DEI-focussed work at the College has been wonderful.
February 2024
Tallie Ritter
Program Manager, Data Analytics and Educational Technology, C-SED
Tell us about your work role? What’s a typical day to day like?
My role is Program Manager, Data Analytics and Educational Technology at the Center for Socially Engaged Design (C-SED). I have been at C-SED for about 4.5 years now. My work involves designing and implementing systems for the C-SED team, overview of system for managing C-SED’s digital educational assets and content, and collecting, organizing and analyzing data. While my daily routine varies, it typically involves spending time on platforms like Airtable or compiling student interaction data for various requests.
What’s the best thing you like about your job?
One of the aspects I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to create new systems and components based on the needs expressed by my colleagues. I especially love when it is a little past what I already know how to do or create and I need to explore or learn a new skill to create the solution. I also love the whole exploration process of figuring out what might be needed or possible to do and how best to tie that in with existing workflows.
Tell us a bit about you?
I grew up in New Buffalo, MI which is a small town as far southwest as you can go without being in the lake or Indiana. I studied Environmental Engineering here at U of M with a minor in International Engineering and Program in Sustainable Engineering.
How about hobbies, activities outside of work?
Outside of work I love finding new things to do or explore whether via a good book or hiking with my dog, Nala. I particularly love reading stories with inter-generational or queer themes from a variety of genres. I have also started blacksmithing in the past couple of years and am trying to carve out more time to practice that and make things. My greatest hobby of them all though is eating pasta.
Advice to others who may be new to their role in the College?
For those new to their roles in the College, I encourage you to tap into the wealth of resources available across the university. Don’t hesitate to reach out to colleagues outside your department to discover what already exists and leverage their expertise. Additionally, don’t feel pressured to memorize every acronym – it’s an impossible task even for those with years of experience.
January 2024
Ryan Latimer
First-Year Programs Coordinator, Undergraduate Education
Tell us about your work role? What’s a typical day to day like?
I began my role as the First-year Programs Coordinator for ADUE in August 2021. I perform a variety of front-facing and back-end supporting tasks for CoE to prepare ENGR staff, faculty, and students for ENGR 100, 101, 110, and 151, with an emphasis on ENGR 110: Design Your Engineering Experience, led by Frank Marsik and Stacie Edington and supported by Krista Quinn.
A typical day for me is heavily dependent on what part of the academic year I find myself in, but it usually involves coordinating and supporting the FYP courses during the active term while preparing for the upcoming one. As we recently wrapped up the Fall 2023 term, much of my time has been spent preparing the W24 ENGR 110 Canvas site and finalizing the hiring of W24 GSIs and IAs. During the Fall and Winter semesters, I am actively supporting the E110 instructional team to provide the best experience possible for the course’s teachers, GSIs, Departmental Ambassadors (instructional aides), and students, like meeting with the GSIs to collect their feedback on the current term and providing suggestions for improvement.
What’s the best thing you like about your job?
The variety is wonderful. While I maintain a general idea of how a typical day, week, or month will unfold, there are consistent outliers and challenges that keep me on my toes. I must also take the time to commend my department for supporting me in my career aspirations in student advising with the UofM.
Tell us a bit about you?
I was born and raised in Cereal City, USA (Battle Creek) and could safely say I spent the majority of my life in specific parts of Michigan where most of my family still reside. I began as a writer/reporter when I graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Journalism, but eventually found my way into education as a teacher/tutor for 6-12 Language Arts and obtained a post-bac, also from WMU. Finally, I completed my master’s degree in Adult Education from Indiana University Bloomington during my tenure at IU from January 2019 to August 2021 in comparable student services roles before eventually making it to Ann Arbor – and never having to move EVER again ;-).
How about hobbies, activities outside of work?
I consider myself a Nerd with a Capital N, and unapologetically so. I’m a lifelong pro wrestling and vintage video game fan, specifically Nintendo, as I grew up in the 8-bit NES era when the monster was officially born. I’d argue football has since taken over the top spot in my Hobby List as I’ve matured (and I use that term loosely), so during the regular season you will likely find me indulging in NFL and college games. I am a big UofM fan and a…reluctant Lions fan?
Advice to others who may be new to their role in the College?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and know you have all the support you will need from our staff and faculty. Since I made my decision to transition into higher education student services as my chosen career, one of the two unicorns I pursued was being able to call the University of Michigan my permanent home, and I have yet to be disappointed.
November 2023
Tara Smith
HR Coordinator, Undergraduate Education
Tell us about your work role? What’s a typical day to day like?
My role is HR Generalist for the ADUE Office. My job includes: full-cycle recruitment support (job descriptions, job postings, reviewing candidates, interviewing, selection, making offers, meeting with new staff), working with HR colleagues across campus to understand and put into practice new policies, helping with employee relations and questions, managing appointment data, and more. Each day is different, and there is often something new that makes each situation unique.
What’s the best thing you like about your job?
Our ADUE programs have really great people, and I love being able to interact with so many of them- I like talking with everyone, listening and learning, and working through problems together. Another favorite thing is meeting with our new staff, and then seeing them at one of our in-person ADUE events along with everyone else.
Tell us a bit about you? (things you’d like to share about where you’re from, education, family, etc.).
I grew up in Haskins, Ohio (a small town about 20 miles south of Toledo). I moved to Ypsilanti to attend Eastern Michigan University for my undergrad degree. After I graduated from EMU (with a degree in elementary education), I decided to stay in Michigan permanently. My husband, Derrick, and I live in Pinckney with our 3 kids (Aiden-12, Hannah-10, Cooper-8) and our 2 boxers (Emma and Rocky). I’ve been working at UM since January, 2007; before CoE I was at the School of Public Health for most of my career. Prior to UM I worked as a preschool teacher.
Right now I am taking my final course for my MBA in Leadership Studies at Baker College- I will be finished in six weeks!
How about hobbies, activities outside of work?
Outside of work, I am often cheering my kids on in one of their activities (soccer, football, dance, baseball, swimming, wrestling), or driving them to and from practice. My favorite weekend activity is spending time with my family- going on walks, playing games, or checking out places in Michigan we’ve never visited. When I have time to myself, I like to curl up with my dogs and watch Dateline or Parks and Rec reruns.
(Tara and family on Halloween)
I also love to Jazzercise and am lucky that there is a great studio just about five minutes from my house. Right now I’m considering the instructor training program, so that I can start teaching classes.
(Rocky and Emma)
Advice to others who may be new to their role in the College?
There are so many great resources at both UM and CoE. I think it’s important to ask questions, because there is a good chance that someone at CoE has experienced a similar issue and can have an answer to help you or get you pointed in the right direction.
October 2023
Susan Montgomery
G. Brymer Williams Collegiate Lecturer Emerita and Academic Coach, ECAS
(Susan and Jon sporting their school colors)
Tell us about your work role? What’s a typical day to day like?
As an Academic Coach at ECAS my primary focus is working with students in their first term back after an academic leave, helping them with academic success strategies and other issues they may be dealing with. I also also target transfer students, first-generation students, and minority students, as well as students who are referred to me by my advising colleagues. I continue to serve as the faculty advisor for SHPE, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, which I have been doing since 1994. My typical day consists of a dozen or more half-hour appointments with students, except for Friday afternoons, when I have walk-in hours in the Duderstadt atrium.
What’s the best thing you like about your job?
Meeting with many students weekly or biweekly gives me the opportunity to watch them grow in confidence and ability as they overcome previous challenges and upgrade their academic success strategies, taking advantage of the opportunities Michigan offers.
I also greatly enjoy my interactions with my fellow advisors. They have so many creative ideas to help reach out to students, and I love the collegial atmosphere, where we learn and get energy from each other.
Tell us a bit about you? (things you’d like to share about where you’re from, education, family, etc).
You can learn all about my life and career prior to this role at https://che.engin.umich.edu/2020/07/06/susan-montgomery-retires-from-the-department/ .
(Susan receives the College of Engineering’s Hellwarth Award in 1985 from former College Dean and President of the University of Michigan, James Duderstadt.)
I have two children, a son Ian, 29, and a daughter, Nicky, 25. I typically spend the week in Ann Arbor with them, and much of the weekend in Pinckney with long-term boyfriend Jon, an MSU Mechanical Engineer at Ford, and his son Kyle.
How about hobbies, activities outside of work?
These days my hobbies include hiking, jogging, knitting scarves, reading books and audiobooks on the AADL’s Libby app, and solving puzzles such as Nonograms, and crosswords. Favorite nearby hiking/walking spots include Pinckney Recreation Area, Matthaei Botanical Gardens, and Bird Hills, Hudson Mills, and Kensington parks
Advice to others who may be new to their role in the College?
Take advantage of opportunities to get to know folks in various offices around the college, there is a very supportive network around.
I invite those in an advising role to get added to my email group to receive my weekly email, with many reminders, tips, and encouragement. You can reach me at [email protected].
September 2023
Mark Jones
Assistant Director, ArtsEngine
Tell us about your work role?
I am the Assistant Director for ArtsEngine which is an interdisciplinary initiative sponsored by the 5 North Campus schools and colleges. In this role I am responsible for the administration of ArtsEngine’s UARTS courses, oversight, assessment and evaluation of the Living ArtsEngine learning community, development of the alumni program, and management of the ADUE websites.
What’s a typical day like?
A typical day usually involves a daily review of UARTS courses. Depending on the time of year this could involve assisting students with registration, assisting instructors with course logistics and purchases or recruiting for Artsengine’s FEAST research courses. I’m responsible for the ADUE websites and client requests cards so I perform a daily review to stay knowledgeable of departmental needs, and ensure that developers have resources needed to support each unit. I’m also developing an alumni consortium where we discuss opportunities for engagement with current living ArtsEngine students.
What’s the best thing you like about your job?
The best part of my job is the diverse and energetic community that is ArtsEngine and Living ArtsEngine. I am so excited to see the connections being made with our alumni and students.
(Students in the Living ArtsEngine community)
Tell us a bit about you?
Originating from the suburbs of Cleveland Ohio, I attended the University of Akron and later UM for graduate school. I currently live in Ypsilanti with my wife and twin daughters. I’m also an avid photographer.
Advice to others who may be new to their role in the College?
My advice is to take the time to get to know people outside of your own unit. Develop friendships and look for opportunities to collaborate and share ideas. And take advantage of the unique cultural events such as concerts, museums, and of course restaurants in Ann Arbor.