This new series will provide an opportunity to find out more about SEFS staff members — what they do in their daily job and how they spend their time outside the office.

What is your role at SEFS?
I’ve worked at SEFS for the past four years managing staff, academic, and undergraduate hiring. I also handle time and absence entries, translate UW policy into everyday practices for supervisors and manage the payroll team. I can, of course, also answer your general personnel questions and issues as well.

Tell us about your road to SEFS
Education has been a strong influence in my life, having grown up in a family of teachers. I got my undergraduate degree in psychology from Smith College and then attended the UW for graduate school where I earned a master’s in social work (MSW). I like being in an academic environment and being exposed to all the exciting and important work being done across the University to improve the lives of our communities. I also enjoy seeing students grow into their talents and interests, which I contribute to by helping many of them navigate the hiring processes within the department. I really like our beautiful campus and have worked with smart and talented colleagues at UW and made many good friends here.

Tell us about your college experience
I used my MSW degree to become a social worker and worked mostly with at-risk youth and as a Housing Case Manager for formerly homeless adults. I earned a Chemical Dependency Certificate in 2011 and was looking for a job in that field when I landed a temporary administrative support role at the UW in 2012. My first permanent job at the UW was in the Department of History, which will always have a special place in my heart. From there, I worked in a couple of other departments as an Assistant to the Chair and I’m very happy that I eventually landed in SEFS.

I work with an amazing group of people, both within SEFS and the College of the Environment. SEFS continues groundbreaking work in such an important field which are all reasons I’m excited to be here.

Where did you grow up?
I was born in Kenya and first moved to the U.S. when I was five, and then after a couple years back in Kenya I settled in the U.S. for middle school. I grew up mostly in Rhode Island, not far from the beach. Most of my family is either on the east coast or in Kenya, so I travel to spend time with them. I have an older brother and a younger sister who have two young children. I try to spend time in New York, and on video calls, with my niece and nephew as much as I can.

What are your favorite ways to spend time outside of work?
I enjoy live music – it’s just about my favorite thing. I also enjoy literature, spoken word, and live storytelling events as well as playing and hosting pub trivia. I just finished watching the His Dark Materials series on HBO (based on the Phillip Pullman books) and loved it! Andor and some of the other Star Wars shows are also favorites.

I also love to play Dungeons and Dragons with friends. I’m grateful that the group’s adventuring spirit survived the peak of the pandemic through the powers of friendship and technology. I’m currently having fun playing a monk character whose unarmed strikes (kicks and punches) are magical through the power of focusing her mind.

What inspires you?
Human connection and the use of the skills it takes to practice empathy, vulnerability, and compassion are things that inspire me. In my own life, I’ve been working to build up my mindfulness skills, and I’m lucky to have a special group of UW colleagues who I get to practice meditation with once a week in addition to my individual practice.

Enjoying the wildlife in Keyna

Aunt Wanjiku with her niece and nephew

Spending some down time on a river float