51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ

The Women’s Council is delighted to Spotlight Michelle Shannon, the Institutional Repository Manager at the Scholarly Communication & Data Services unit within the University Libraries at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. Michelle has been an invaluable member of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ community for the past two years. Her enthusiasm for her role is matched only by her appreciation for the vibrant workplace culture at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. Michelle's own journey has seen her embrace problem-solving as a form of play, a skill she developed during her childhood as a musician. This perspective fuels her love for tackling challenges and finding innovative solutions. For women embarking on campus careers, Michelle advocates for connecting with the diverse and supportive 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ community, emphasizing the magic that unfolds through these meaningful connections.
 

What is your favorite thing about working at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ?

• The workplace environment and culture is impressively healthy here at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. The university seems to truly care about and value employees as humans and promotes work/life balance, retention and promotion, and reasonable policies and procedures that help maintain a healthy workplace. There are so many resources on campus and in the NSHE system that make it easy to get connected or find help with problems large and small!

What trait do you most like about yourself?

• In recent years, I’ve come to more fully appreciate my skills in problem-solving and tinkering – which is an important combination for me. Looking back at my childhood as a budding musician, I realize that a lot of learning music is just trial and error. Somewhere along the line, I got to a place where that process of trial and error actually became fun; it was a form of play in and of itself. For me, the process of figuring stuff out is where the magic happens, and it’s something that I’m really good at because I’ve (inadvertently) honed those skills over the course of my life – problem-solving as a form of play. I really like that about myself!

If you could learn to master one thing, what would it be?

• My initial reaction is to say: PICKLEBALL. I’m addicted!! But more seriously, in my fantasy life I’m a stage/audio technician for the London Symphony Orchestra, so I’d love to master the fine art of sound engineering to fulfill my dream of supporting musicians on the backend and being around live music all day.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

• I love cooking! In my house, the kitchen is the most important room. In a hypothetical scenario where my house is on fire and everyone is safe but I’m allowed to take 2 items from my kitchen, I’m grabbing my cast iron pan and my beloved 6-quart slow cooker with 15 (yes, fifteen!) programmable options. Yes, I can easily replace those items but hey, it’s hypothetical!

What inspires or empowers you?

• This might sound cheesy, but witnessing any type of art or talent that moves me is incredibly inspiring and empowering. Broadway’s Hamilton, Beyoncé’s Homecoming documentary, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse are all examples of art that’s so electrifying that the sheer experience of witnessing it boosts my entire perspective, energy, and mood. If something that good can exist, so can other things! It unlocks a whole new level of creative possibility.

Any advice for women starting careers on campus?

• There are a ton of really talented, intelligent, and supportive people on campus of all sorts of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, identities, etc. Get out and meet them! Go to that event you’re on the fence about attending; grab tickets to the game; get a Rec Center membership and join a weekly class. The 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ community is really special but if you don’t get plugged in and connect with folks, you’ll miss out on some of the magic of this place!