Have you met Melissa, director of Well-being, Culture and Rewards for Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment (HRHSE)? Spend a few minutes getting to know her better.
What is your first U of A memory?
Being new to Edmonton and punching “U of A Butterdome” into Google maps so I could bring my son to a school running event. I swiftly came upon a building that was clearly the Butterdome based on its very unique color and structure.
What’s something your coworkers don’t know about you?
I am so not a morning person. I enjoy my commute to work to caffeinate and wake up before I have to tackle the day.
What’s your favourite distraction?
I’m a sucker for audiobooks! They allow me to experience new books while doing other things such as walking the dog, cleaning the house and commuting to work.
If you were enrolling in one course, program or degree right now, what would it be?
An MBA for sure. It’s been on the to-do list for a while and I intend to do it, even if it’s toward the end of my career.
What’s a weird pet peeve you have?
I find it frustrating when you’re going through the door right behind someone and they don’t hold the door for you. It’s the simplest form of human kindness! Oh, and minor league hockey practices that start before 6 a.m. — but that needs no further explanation.
You can invite anyone — alive or dead, real or fictional — to dinner. Who would it be?
Oprah Winfrey or Ellen Degeneres. Both are very strong, successful women who have philanthropic mindsets.
If you could see any live performance tomorrow, what would it be?
A Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas. It always amazes me how strong these people are and how they can contort their bodies in crazy ways. Plus, it would combine well with my love of the sun and warm vacations to be in Las Vegas for one of these shows.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
My mom always told me: don’t wish you were older than you are, because before you know it time will be flying by. As a kid I couldn't wait until the next milestone — like getting my licence, graduating and moving out. So my advice to my 18-year-old self is: listen to mom, she knows what she’s talking about!
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
I’m not sure I could pick just one. Caffeine, Google maps and my family (my husband, Steve, and our boys, Jack and Scott).
What three words describe your U of A experience?
Inspiring, exciting, opportunities.
About Melissa Murphy
Melissa is the director of Well-being, Culture and Rewards for Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment (HRHSE). Melissa joined the university at the end of May after working for the Government of Alberta. Her background includes many years in the human resources industry with specific focuses in the areas of large transformational initiatives, employee relations and strategic HR planning.