STAFF SPOTLIGHt
Staff Spotlight with Margaret Hwang
In each issue, the FOCUS Newsletter spotlights an ABA staff member whose work deserves mention. Our spotlight explores ideas around "redefinition," asking how staff professionals have grown in their careers while working in ABA, and what "redefine the possible," Sac State's tagline, means to them.
Name: Margaret Hwang
Position: Administrative Analyst/Specialist
ABA Department/Unit: Administrative Operations
How long have you been with Sac State: I have worked at Sac State for about ten years.
What are some examples of your daily duties?
The great thing about my position is that my projects vary from day to day. I am lucky to work with great colleagues who are very collaborative in nature so I am exposed to many different projects and processes that involve other ABA families and campus departments. One of the more routine tasks I am responsible for is to update the University Manual Policy website. If a new or revised policy is brought to our attention, Kem and I review the policy before sending it to the President's Office for final approval. If it comes back approved, I update the Policy website. I am also the Master Timekeeper for ABA so you will usually see me clacking away on a 10-key during timekeeping time.
What have you done to promote positive change in your unit’s processes since your appointment?
Our office is constantly working on a myriad of projects at any given time. It is often challenging to reflect on completed projects because an upcoming project could be urgent and there is no time to ponder what was just done. However, over the past year, I have been working on taking time to review projects that have been completed to create checklists, identify process improvements, and to garner feedback in regard to what the audience/customer thinks could be done better. I consider continuous improvement a reality in the day to day work we do.
How has your job influenced your professional growth?
I started my career at Sac State with the College of Continuing Education (CCE). After moving to campus and to ABA, it has really broadened my view on how the University operates but I know I am far from knowing all of the details. Being with ABA makes me appreciate the things our division is responsible for -- whether it is keeping the campus safe and beautiful or the constant diligence of our Financial Services family. Seeing all that we do has motivated me to learn more about campus operations and spurs me to try and grow my skills and knowledge about campus.
What certifications do you hold? What does it take to become certified, and how do you feel these qualifications benefit the campus?
I was awarded the certification of a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) by the HR Certification Institute (PHR) in 2010 and completed a Business Analyst Certificate Program offered by CCE back in 2009. To obtain the PHR certification, you need to work a certain amount of hours in the HR field. You also need several letters of recommendations from colleagues and an executive in your organization. Once you pass the initial standards for the PHR, you must take an examination that tests your knowledge about HR standards. I feel these certifications help illustrate the importance of lifelong learning; since we are working for an educational institution, continuing training plays a pivotal role in my life. I am also a two-time proud Hornet alum (BS, MBA).
Who are your primary customers?
I truly feel it is anyone who may need my assistance. It could be a wayward student who needs directions to another office, another staff member/colleague inquiring about how to post a policy to the website, or an external customer like our contacts with the local chambers of Commerce. Even if I don't know the answer to a question I am asked, I am diligent in finding who to talk to.
What are your biggest, yet most rewarding challenges?
The fact that ABA is all encompassing can be a bit challenging in regards to my growing knowledge of our division's operations. We are responsible for key areas to ensure the University runs smoothly so we receive quite a few inquiries about various issues. When I am asked a question that I do not know the answer to, I take pride that I can call colleagues to get to the bottom of the issue and it is rewarding to know that I can do so. I hope that my depth and breadth of knowledge will continue to increase as I learn more day to day.
What do you like best about your job?
I truly enjoy interacting with many different colleagues from the various ABA families as well as external customers -- especially the student interns we invite to campus each semester from the different chambers of Commerce. I also enjoy working closely with my immediate colleagues to resolve problems that are brought to our attention to ultimately make other processes easier.
What is your favorite aspect of working on campus?
I love the collaborative spirit amongst the staff, and the energy the students bring to campus. I am always hit with a wave of nostalgia when the semester first starts and you see the new students walking around campus in awe. Seeing their excitement about the campus always makes me consider going back for another degree!
Why and how would someone contact you?
I am happy to help anyone who needs assistance. Even if I am not the main contact for a particular issue, I am more than willing to find out who you need to contact for the appropriate answers. Colleagues can contact me at x82537 or hwangm@csus.edu.
What does Sac State’s "Redefine the Possible" initiative mean to you?
I take the Redefining the Possible initiative at face value. What we may have thought was not possible, may be possible if we are creative and brave enough to think outside the box. We must respect what was done before and learn from the past, but we must continue to move forward and redefine what our previous boundaries were. With this mindset, we are in a better position to accomplish what we thought was impossible before.
