My name is Daphne and I have worked in academia as an HR Professional for over 23 years. My tenure at the University of Illinois at Chicago (University Faculty Affairs/Human Resources and COM Psychiatry), as well as at the University of Chicago have afforded me the opportunity to acquire knowledge of human resources, academic faculty affairs, faculty promotions and tenure (P&T), development, organizational management, strategic management, employment laws, policies/procedures, employee labor relations, conflict resolution, bargaining unit relations, training & development, compensation & benefits, compliance requirements, administrative and academic networks that interface across the University. While I am not a teacher in a classroom setting, I spend a lot of time developing the skillset of others. Training and development of staff and managers has been an extreme priority, as we are responsible for the people that we put over other people. My viewpoint has always been development and education are key to being proactive in decreasing problematic situations that may arise. Keeping abreast of the employment laws, policies, and procedures is extremely important in this field. Our research faculty have been granted funding to support their research and their salary. Therefore their priority is hiring qualified researchers to further the research, not necessarily the administrative components of their jobs/supervision of support staff. Clinical faculty support their salaries via the revenue gained in seeing patients. Therefore, their focus is on seeing patients, not necessarily the adminitrative components of their jobs or the supervision of support staff. A great deal of time goes into teaching and developing. Teaching and developing adults who have NOT signed up for school, comes with its own set of challenges. Change is sometimes difficult with faculty who have been doing things a certain way for years. When I came aboard, change management was not welcomed. Through a lot of sweat and TEARS, they now understand that change was for their good. They understand the importance of meeting compliance requirements, etc. Teaching them employment laws and that their staff had rights, was mind blowing. Who knew that they could not work someone for 59 hours and only pay them for 40??? (lol). It was challenging but we made it through.

Human Resources has changed over the years. Human Resource Executives are now strategic partners in the more forward thinking industries. As the director, I am now included in the planning and development stages of most projects. Human capital are part of the equation in different ways. We are able to express the importance of development, retention, demographic make ups, etc. These topics were not on the table in this way in years past. Therefore, my own continued education and development is essential to me as the Director. Furthering my education will allow me to play a more enhanced role. Reading how other professionals interact, and respond to situations is helpful. I am excited about this opportunity.