• How long have you been at Oregon State?

I’m starting my third year here this fall.

 

• Where did you come from?

I came from Utah State University, where I did my graduate work and a post doc. I’m originally from Pennsylvania. Before I went to graduate school, I worked as a high school science teacher in Wisconsin. I liked teaching, but high school teaching was exhausting, so after two years I went back to grad school so I could teach at the university level.

• Did you always want to work in and study recreation?

I always wanted to be a scientist. When I was little I wanted to be a marine biologist, but I could never equalize during SCUBA training. I always wanted to do some sort of conservation-oriented science.

 

• What is your favorite part about your job?

I like the balance of interacting with and teaching undergraduates and working with graduate students and conducting research. I also get to travel to many of the parks I study to set up projects and present to managers. I feel really lucky to travel to places for work that most people go for vacation.

• What does your life look like outside work?

I’m a huge knitter. Anytime I’m sitting down, I’m knitting. I also do a lot of yoga and hiking and a little bit of trail running.

 

• Those are all very meditative hobbies. How did you get into them?

I’ve done yoga since I was 18. It’s really the only form of exercise I’ve been consistent with, and I got into knitting during grad school when I was looking for a new hobby and hoping to meet new people. I started a knitting group at Utah State. Now I knit with people in the college occasionally.

• What’s the most interesting thing you’ve ever knitted?

My knitting group made a National Park centennial blanket. We released the patterns for sale and donated the money we made back to the parks.

 

• Anything interesting you’ve read, watched or listened to lately?

I’ve been watching ‘Atypical’ on Netflix. My younger sister works with students with autism, and the show is about a family affected by autism, so it’s really interesting. I also just read a book called ‘Educated: A memoir,’ and I recommend that to everyone.

 

• If you were a vegetable, what would you be?

Maybe broccoli because it looks like a tree. It’s also my favorite vegetable.

• You have a lot of LEGOs in your office. What’s the story with that?

I’ve always loved playing with LEGOs, and they’re making really fun sets now, so I have a set of women scientists and a National Parks set. Science can be a bit too serious sometimes, so I think they add some whimsy into my office and makes my students feel more comfortable.

Brooke Harrington – Program Assistant – Office of Student Resources & Engagement

• How long have you been at Oregon State?

Four years. I came from a lot of different places. I worked at Eastern Oregon University in Salem, and before that, I was a stay-at-home mom for eight years. I’ve moved and lived in a lot of different places, but I grew up in Dallas, and three of my uncles attended Oregon State, so I was happy to end up here. One of my uncles even has a bridge and plaque inside Reser Stadium because of a donation he made.

• What is your favorite part about your job?

I love interacting with our students. We see all kinds of undergraduate and graduate students come through and we get to help them in a variety of ways: finding a job or internship,  scholarships, or matching them up in the Mentored Employment Program. In everything we do, we’re seeking to better connect them to the college or potential future employers to help enhance their experience. I love the feeling of contributing to students’ education in some way, as well as to the overall mission of the college.

• What does your life look like outside of work?

I have a crazy, blended family with a total of six kids. We have a full house. It’s crazy with lots of people, with lots of personality, going in lots of different directions. We also have a dog and two cats. When I’m not working, I try to get outside a little bit. We took up kayaking this summer. I also like to garden, read, listen to music and take my dog on walks.

• Did you have a good summer?

I had a pretty calm summer. I did a lot of small staycations at home with the kids. We didn’t really travel too far out of the area, but that’s OK because I love it here in Oregon.

• As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An ice skater or a fighter pilot.

• If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with all the extra time?

I would fit in more walks or workouts.

• What’s your favorite thing to watch on TV?

Sports. We are big fans of the Beavers and the Trail Bazers.

• Would you rather have unlimited sushi for life or unlimited tacos for life?

Tacos every day! Or some type of Mexican food. That’s my absolute favorite.

Michelle Maller – Education/Internship Coordinator – WSE

• When you were young, what job did you think you would have?

I wanted to be a veterinarian really badly, and then I wanted to work for the FBI or CIA.

• What is your job now?

Half of my job is working with students, getting them internships or job opportunities and “momming” them, basically. The other half is split between working with industry and recruitment with high school and community college specific to our renewable materials programs.

• How long have you been at Oregon State?

Fourteen years. I started working here as an undergraduate. I was a butcher at Clark Meat Center, and I just kept on going. This is my sixth position at OSU. I’ve been at the College of Forestry Since 2013.

• What’s your favorite part about your job?

It’s different every day, and I get to be with people all the time.

• What did you do this summer?

I traveled a little bit for work stuff this summer. I hung out with my kids a lot. I also got a bunch of tattoos. I have 12 tattoos. A few of them are of birds because I’m a bird nerd.

• What does your life look like outside of work?

I have been married for seven years. We just celebrated our anniversary, and he’s great. He brews beer at Sky High. I have two delightful children. My daughter Arlie is four and a half, and my son Tate is three. We have a really dumb basset hound named Otter who has no purpose in life. I’ve pretty much always lived in Corvallis, and I’m a fourth-generation Oregon State Beaver.

• Your husband brews beer, so what is your favorite beer?

I am lucky because he brews things for me and brings them home. I like sours, Berliner Weisse and Flemish red ales.

• If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?

I would bake all the time. I love to bake. I make a lot of birthday cakes for other people, weird cookies and bread.

• What in pop culture do you love right now?

I love the Great British Baking Show, and I’m a closeted Big Brother fan. I’ve watched every single season. I think it’s really interesting – a really interesting portrait of human dynamics.