Staff Spotlight: Julie Jenkins
The College of Applied Health Sciences has an array of faculty that are renowned in their areas of research and instruction. But AHS would not be able to operate as efficiently without its staff, who are the backbone of this great college. Periodically, we will shine the light on one of these staffers so their colleagues can get to know them better. This time, it's Julie Jenkins, an administrative aide in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health.
Q: What drew you to the University of Illinois?
A: I was an office manager at a staffing agency for eight years that was closing before coming to the U of I. I have family members that worked at the U of I (now retired) and they told me about an upcoming job fair that I could pick from a variety of departments. I thought that I would go check it out and see what else was out there in the clerical/administrative areas ... something in which I was comfortable doing already.
Q: How long have you been in AHS?
A: I started in Kinesiology in August 2008.
Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?
A: I love working with the grad students in every aspect from admissions to conferral. I enjoy doing the timetable for KCH and trying to figure out how to add more classes that will provide our students with multiple electives to choose from each semester.
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus?
A: I like that I have a parking space close to the building that I work in (just across the street). This makes it easy when I want to go out for lunch or if I just want to get away and sit in my car. I also like that our department has a bike program where I can just jump on a bike and go for a ride around campus during a nice cool day.
Q: The best part of being an Illini is …
A: UIUC is a great research university! I work in a wonderful department that cares deeply about Public Health, Disability & Rehabilitation and Physical Fitness.
Q: What’s your favorite movie?
A: I have so many but I love to watch anything with history or a documentary.
Q: What’s your favorite TV show?
A: I’m really into the "Curse of Oak Island." and I truly hope the find the treasure that is supposedly buried underground (a 224-year-old mystery).
Q: What’s your go-to snack?
A: Chobani Flip yogurt.
Q: What’s the last book you read?
A: My classmate is an author so I have been reading her books lately.
- Relatively Normal—Whitney Bohlen Dineen
- The Dream—Whitney Bohlen Dineen
- The Plan—Whitney Bohlen Dineen
QUOTABLE
"Julie is vital to the operations of the Department, works hard to ensure course scheduling is always accurate, and has established very positive relationships with graduate students and everyone else she assists. She has a big job, and she does it exceptionally well!” — Kim Graber, Interim Department Head, Dept. of Kinesiology and Community Health.