Name: Karen Williams
Hometown: North Miami Beach, Fla.
Job Title/Department: Facilitator/Organizational Development and Learning
Campus: Modesto A. Maidique Campus
In a nutshell: I design and facilitate customized employee developmental programs such as customer service, team enrichment skills, supervisory skills and team retreats. I also facilitate New Employee Experience, which is an orientation program for our new team members.
Number of years at FIU: Two-and-a-half years.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
As a facilitator here at FIU I interact with people from all walks of life, from a researcher working at the Everglades to a custodian working within Facilities Management, to a curator of The Wolfsonian-FIU, to doctors at Jackson Memorial North (all of whom provide practical training for our medical students). I like the fact that I touch the lives of people who create learning environments for our students and/or who promote a positive brand image of FIU.
What do you think faculty/staff and students should know about your department?
My department believes that all employees are essential and have the potential to enhance their knowledge, skills and abilities.
Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?
Actually, my favorite spot is at Biscayne Bay Campus. I love the walking path near the bay. It’s a frequent spot for me and my dog.
What is one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU?
From facilitating New Employee Experience, I’ve discovered that many graduates of FIU obtain employment at FIU. I consider this to be a win-win situation. The alumni bring a lot of energy and sense of pride in FIU, and FIU demonstrates its commitment to invest in our alumni.
Family snapshot:
My family unit is small, but very close: my mom, my sister and my nephews.
Word that best describes you: Caring.
First paying job: Cashier at Publix the summer before my senior year of high school.
Favorite TV show: More than a favorite TV show, I have a favorite TV channel: HGTV.
Your proudest accomplishment:
Being the primary care-giver for my elderly parents. My dad had Alzheimer’s disease and so many times I desired to just simply acquiesce and say, “I can’t do this anymore,” but I didn’t. Looking back now on those years, I consider this to be my proudest accomplishment because I was given the opportunity to make sacrifices for two very special people who had spent a huge chunk of their parenting years making sacrifices for me.
What do you do when you are not working at FIU?
As much as I love my career here at FIU, I believe in work-life balance. I spend an ample amount of my time away from work actively involved in ministries at my church. In addition, I love to do what I call “a bunch of nothing,” which means lounging on my balcony or at the beach.
Excellent piece. People, of course, from all over the country with varoius backgrounds and experience produce the rich and vibrant texture in an institution of learning.
That people would enjoy staying is a testament to the quality of life experience.
Karen is a giving and hard working person. She took the time from her day off during the summer to facilitate a retreat for our office. What a blast we had. At first we thought it was going to be a very long and drawn out day with co-workers but we had such a good time and learned so much about each other that we are looking forward to the next one. Thanks Karen for all your hard work.
You could not have focused on a much deserving person as Karen, the word she used to described hersel is the perfect word "caring" because she is a very caring person, congrats to you Karen on FIyoU.