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The Dearborn Icebreaker is a Reporter feature designed to help us get to know our UM-Dearborn colleagues.

Name:  Catherine Parkins
Position: Customer Service Assistant
Years at UM-Dearborn: 11 years (4 years full-time)

What does a typical work day look like for you?
I joke that I am a “Jane of All Trades.” That means that while I field calls, process admission and maintain files for several of the CEHHS programs, I also lead the undergraduate orientation program in the unit, research and prepare admission/enrollment reports and serve as the communications liaison when we have an event (doctoral defenses, colloquia, etc). There’s some pattern to my work, but there’s no typical work day.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I really enjoy the orientation events that I work with our students. I lead the unit-based presentation and registration sessions for our undergrads, partnering with Admissions & Orientation. I also coordinate doctoral orientation each year, as we welcome our new Ed.D. students to the campus.

What was your first job?
I worked at The Disney Store – Fairlane for almost two years.  I was the queen of “Plush Mountain,” making sure it looked perfect the next day as guests came into the store.

What do you do to relax?
I love to read! I like sci-fi, fantasy and thriller stories, be they by Stephen King, Dean Koontz or even John Grisham.

If you could have any one skill or talent that you don’t already have, what would it be?
I wish I had more athletic ability. But, alas, I’m quite the classy klutz!

What’s your definition of a life well lived?
To be able to be joyful, in the present, no matter what chaos may be going on.

What’s the proudest moment of your life?
I had kept a clear head when my Mum had a medical crisis back in 2008. She was able to get timely treatment and make a full recovery, thankfully!

If we were to create a UM-Dearborn playlist, what song would you want to include?
After last year’s flash mob at the staff picnic, I continually associate “Till the World Ends” by Britney Spears with campus.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
This spring/summer, I’ve been very much into AA baseball since I have a cousin who plays in the Tigers’ farm system. When I can’t get to an Erie SeaWolves game, I listen to them on the radio, online.  

What’s one thing you wish you had known when you were a teenager?
It’s not so much as something I wish I’d known, but I wish had I had resolved—after high school—to keep up with conversing in French!  My proficiency has dropped from disuse and I was really good at it in high school and college!