The Civil Service Council will feature a Civil Service employee at Illinois State University each month to highlight an exceptional colleague and the outstanding work being done on campus. This month, learn about and applaud Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program administrative aide Jamie Anderson.
What is your position on campus and how long have you been with the University?
I have been the administrative aide for the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program for a little over seven years. I also worked for about six-and-a-half years in University Housing several years ago but worked at Lincoln College-Normal in between the two ISU positions.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
Pretty much everything! I get to work in an office with like-minded, feminist, amazingly strong people, and am surrounded by students and faculty who are kind and caring with big dreams of making the world a better place for everyone, but especially those who have been and continue to be marginalized. Many of the WGSS students have such big aspirations and go on to do so much for society, and for those who may otherwise be forgotten about. The work I put in every day to support the program makes me feel wonderful, useful, and like I’m making a difference in the world. What more could a person want?
What are your hobbies or favorite pastimes?
Mostly I’m a huge houseplant lover, or addict, whatever one might call it. I probably have over 200 plants and my collection has spilled over to the WGSS Resource Room and different spaces in the WGSS “wing” of Rachel Cooper Hall. Besides plants I also love to watch, read, or learn almost anything true crime related, and secretly always dreamed of doing something forensics related. I was never quite sure that I’d have the guts to work in the field, though, so I just spend all my free time watching others do it.
What else would you like others to know about you or your time at ISU?
I have also been the treasurer for Queer Coalition for a couple of years and really enjoyed doing so. Working in WGSS has opened my eyes to so many new things, has taught me a ton, and continues to challenge my thinking and perception every day. I don’t see myself ever leaving this position, but if I must, I will likely always work at a university.
More about Anderson from Dr. Alison Bailey, director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program:
“It’s hard to believe that Jamie has been with the WGSS Program for eight years. She has quickly become such an indispensable member of our program team. I can’t imagine how we would run our office without her. Jamie joined WGSS four months before the 2016 election. She learned a new job and quickly stepped to be an active member of our staff as we collectively learned how to navigate a precarious new cultural landscape, and later a global pandemic. Her eternal optimism framed these challenges as opportunities. The WGSS Program has grown in leaps and bounds since Jamie’s arrival. One of Jamie’s many virtues is her capacity for optimism and joy. She’s filled our office with snacks, art, and some of the heathiest plants you’ve ever seen. She takes time to talk to our students and faculty. She’s become the driving force behind organizing our faculty retreats, annual symposium, and other WGSS events. Over the years she’s cultivated an extensive campus network along with an impressive working knowledge of ISU systems, software, and processes. She continues to be an active member of Queer Coalition, having served as treasurer for a number of years.”
