Life University Staff Council Newsletter Volume 5 Issue 1 | Página 4

Staff Member Spotlight as evaluate programs and services that support our students in reaching their full potential. Zakiya Blake SN: Please share about your education. ZB: I attended UT Chattanooga. I received a B.S. in Sociology. Every issue, we feature a different staff member who is interviewed for the Staff Member Spotlight. This quarter, we’re featuring Zakiya Blake. SN: Please share about your past job experiences. ZB: I’ve been employed at two other universities. While attending UTC, I became the Lab Manager at our Center for Applied Social Research. I also worked at the University of Pennsylvania for almost five years as an Administrative Assistant in Library Human Resources. STAFF NEWSLETTER: What department do you work in at Life University? ZAKIYA BLAKE: I work in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness Planning and Research. SN: What are your job duties? ZB: I am responsible for handling various administrative tasks in OIEPR. I provide admin support to the Director of OIEPR as well as the Director of Institutional Research. I coordinate the state authorization process for LIFE and also assist with launching and processing various University surveys and evaluations. SN: How long have you been at Life University? ZB:I have been with Life University since May 2013. SN: What do you like most about working at LIFE? ZB: What I appreciate most about LIFE is our commitment to Vitalism. My quality of life has increased by participating in programs such as Happy L.I.F.E. and Wellness Portfolio. I am also grateful for the healthy and sustainable food options at the Café. I am always thinking about my physical, emotional, and spiritual health, and as a member of the LIFE Community, my values are regularly affirmed. SN: What is the most challenging thing about your job? ZB: OIEPR is a very busy department. Yet I love being a part of a department that gives the LIFE Community numerous opportunities to give feedback as well SN: What is one of your career goals? ZB: I’d like to eventually become a director of a program or project that I feel passionate about. SN: What do you like to do for fun? ZB: I like to cook for and with loved ones and friends. I enjoy discovering music throughout various genres. I also love reading random articles about almost anything. SN: What is something not many people know about you? ZB: I practice Nicherin Buddhism as a member of Soka Gakkai International, a lay Buddhist movement linking more than 12 million people around the world. SN: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? ZB: I would love to visit various indigenous communities across the globe such as Omo Valley, Ethopia and the Amazon. Volunteers Needed WE NEED STAFF MEMBERS TO BE HIGHLIGHTED IN THE STAFF MEMBER SPOTLIGHT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED IN BEING IN THE SPOTLIGHT, PLEASE EMAIL [email protected]. Life’s Holiday Party Want to find pictures of LIFE Events? Here’s how: 1. Go to the LIFE website 2. Click on Social Media (third line down in the right hand column at the top) 3. Click on Images of LIFE (middle column, next to an orange logo) 4. This brings you to LIFE’s Zenfolio page 5. Browse the albums to find what event you are looking for. You may have to click on “show more” at the bottom. 4