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Staff Spotlight: Staffer’s home is economics
Michael Brown
“I’ve been in economics since 1980,” said Hill. “I think versatility has stood me in good stead. In all these years, I think I have done just about every administration job here.”
From clerk to coursework assistant for professors to grad program administrator to her current position as the department chair’s assistant, Hill has become as much a part of the economics department as famed economists Adam Smith or John Maynard Keynes. For that, Hill was recently awarded a University of Alberta 2009 Support Staff Recognition Award.
“This is a pretty great place to work,” said Hill. “There are a lot of good people who work here, a lot of great personalities. It is a respectful environment with people who are fun to be around. It is very collaborative and we all work well together.”
For her part, Hill says she tries to bring lots of positivity to the department and takes ownership for the task at hand.
“I try to do what’s necessary to get answers for people so they’re not struggling and searching,” said Hill. “I try to be as supportive as possible, and the department really fosters that.”
Hill enjoys gardening in the summer, visiting friends, volunteering with her church and community and traveling. “I took my mom to Europe last year, and we did a week on a Mediterranean cruise,” she said. “We enjoyed it so much we are going back to Italy again this year.”
She also says she is a creature of habit, and one of those habits is the Department of Economics.
“The work doesn’t need to be predictable but I like the environment to be predictable,” she said. “It’s home for me; I wouldn’t leave it easily.”