My latest interviewee was Katharina Groves:
Katharina and her husband, Craig
1) What brought you to CC?
I moved back to Colorado Springs a few months before the CC website started it’s makeover. Because I grew up in the Colorado College community and because I had web experience, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse.
2) How long have you worked here?
4 years.
3) Give a brief description of what it is you do here.
I help with applications that are utilized by multiple people from various offices, departments, or campus-wide (as opposed to desktop applications used by one person at a time). These applications are usually hosted on a server here on campus or off campus in a datacenter owned by the companies that develop them.
4) What’s your ITS: word (or words) and why?
My ITS: word is “accessible”. The information technology industry can seem pretty nebulous to many people and they hesitate to work with IT professionals or take advantage of technology. I believe ITS: should be an “accessible” team that people are comfortable approaching for assistance. Part of that is being visible and making it easier to understand what it is we do and how we can help. My goal is to help people understand technology and use it to their benefit, so transparency and approachability are important to me.
5) Who’s your hero and why?
My dad has always been my hero; I’ve learned so much from him. One concept he always demonstrates to me is the importance of integrity. Activities and relationships, when undertaken with integrity, will benefit from dedication, selflessness, and honesty. Living with integrity is working hard every day, being true to yourself and your beliefs, and going to bed with a clear conscience. No one does it perfectly, but it’s something to strive for.
6) What sound or noise do you love?
I love wind in the trees. Unfortunately, I live on the east edge of Colorado Springs, also known as Kansas, so we don’t have many trees.
7) What sound or noise do you hate?
I hate what I consider to be obnoxious white noise, like the sounds refrigerators make or a computer that sounds like it’s taxiing for take off.
8) Name one or two of your hobbies.
I love reading, building things with Nanoblocks, and spending time with my family.
9) When others describe you, what do they say?
I’m not very good at deciphering what others are thinking or feeling if they don’t just flat out tell me, so I’m not entirely sure. Which leads me to the answer of the next question…
10) If you could have a super-power, what would it be?
I’d have the ability to read minds, but only when I choose to. Sometimes I can’t think of anything that would be more useful and other times I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know what people are thinking.
11) How would you use that super-power in ITS:?
There are times when I am trying to help someone and I honestly misunderstand what they want. Good communication is difficult enough in any situation, but communicating about technology from two different points of view can be even more difficult.
Thanks, Katharina, for being a willing participate in the interview and a terrific colleague!
ITS:Always fun, never boring
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Petro
