Feature Story: Staying Engaged and Finding Meaning After Spring Break

Matt Wade, sr. talent communications and engagement specialist

Spring break offered a welcome respite. Returning to work after a break can be a great time to evaluate your level of engagement and sense of purpose at UCO. Staying engaged and understanding your meaning as a part of our Central community can impact and improve our culture across campus. You can do the following:

Reconnect with Your Purpose

  • Revisit Your Why. Take some time to reflect on your role at UCO. What initially drew you to your position? What impact do you want to make here?
  • Review UCO’s Mission and Values. Explore how your specific role contributes to UCO’s larger mission and values. Understanding your place in the bigger picture fosters a sense of purpose and achievement.
  • Remember the B.R.O.N.C.H.O. Way. Being Reflective of Our Neighborhood, Community, History and Oklahoma connects the University mission and values to relevant action you can take to ensure accessibility to a quality university education for students.  

Be . . .  read more

Get to Know a Broncho

Jerry Green, associate professor

  1. What is your background? 

I grew up in a small town in southeastern Ohio on the Ohio/West Virginia border, and went to Ohio University for undergrad. That’s where my jack-of-all-trades habit really started: I double majored in Philosophy and Classics, with minors in Anthropology, Greek, and Word Religions. I then moved to Texas for 8 years: first in Lubbock to do an MA . . .  read more

Annual Shred Event, May 2

Allison Penn-Franklin, director of HRIS and Operations

The Annual Shred Event allowing faculty, staff, and student employees to shred documents and files will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, May 2, in parking lot No. 11 (between Hurd and Main). All files, including personal files from home and work documents, are accepted, free of charge.

Campus departments and offices are responsible . . .  read more

Employee Wellness – Breathing Easier

Ainsley Snow, benefits specialist

Our everyday wellness has many factors that impact how we feel. This month, we want to share with you a newsletter from our broker, Gallagher, that discusses Nature Therapy and exercises for breathing easier. With this, tobacco can have a hand in how our lungs operate. UCO offers assistance with tobacco cessation; resources are available through . . .  read more

Feature Story: Celebrating Women – A Shared Journey of Support and Empowerment

Erika Cerda, associate vice president for Human Resources

My only daughter was born in 2022 on International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. She entered this world as a remarkable force and continues to enjoy life at her own pace and style. Watching her forge her own path, just like countless other women, reminds me of the diverse . . .  read more

Get to Know a Broncho

Casandra Robinson, Talent Development manager

  1. What is your background? 

I grew up in southern Ca. with a single mom and 3 sisters. Although we lived in one of the most populous states in the US, we were in a small former ranching/ farming town, where I would spend most of my childhood either at school or playing outside in the yard. It wasn’t until I went away to college in Long Beach that I got a sense of the California . . .  read more

Faculty Senate Update

Kuang-Chung (Glen) Hsu, professor of economics

The Faculty Senate convened on February 8, during which we approved the resolution FSR-2023/2024-003 addressing the Minimization of Event Scheduling During Extreme Weather Events. Additionally, the following resolutions were discussed: FSA-2023/2024-001: Amendment to the Faculty Senate Constitution Article IV; Revision to Appendix C Regarding Faculty . . .  read more

Staff Classification & Salary Analysis Update

Sarah Marcus, director of payroll and compensation

UCO’s staff classification and salary analysis process has received a much-needed overhaul. The new process is more efficient, increases transparency, promotes equity, and better aligns with industry best practices. The previous Point Factor Method has been retired. Staff positions are now assigned a pay grade based on their type and level. 

. . .  read more