Profile: Olivia Mendoza, Program Coordinator, Academic Affairs
Adjunct Marketing and Retailing College Instructor. Stand-up Comedienne. Seamstress Extraordinaire. Disco Queen. Hard-core Trekkie. Those are just a few of the titles that apply to this vibrant woman.
Olivia joined the Biochemistry Department last summer as Program Coordinator. Previously, she’d spent more than seven years working two jobs concurrently – as Graduate Program Coordinator for the Arid Lands Resource Sciences Graduate Program, and with the Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs. Not only was she eager to put all her energy towards one job, but she had also heard that Biochem “was a great place to work.”
She loves interaction with students and encourages student involvement in department activities.
Olivia has already successfully produced the first “Age of Biology” recruitment extravaganza and helped coordinate the Parent’s Day Barbeque. She continually strives to reach and attract new students to our department by attending events such as “Meet Your Major” and career fairs at local high schools.
A Tucson native, Olivia spends as much time as possible with family and friends, and delights in encounters with her eight nieces and nephews. She loves to swim and to cook, and she enjoys reading science fiction and fantasy.
The department witnessed her sewing talents last Halloween when she appeared as a Can Can girl, in one of her many beautiful, handmade costumes.
We’ve no doubt she “Can do” whatever she sets her mind to.
Profile: Kriss Pope, Senior Business Manager
Kriss Pope is quite familiar with abbreviations and acronyms.
She comes to our department from the University of Arizona’s Institute for Biomedical Science and Biotechnology – the IBSB, where she started in 2001. Prior to that, she was the Director of CATER – the Center for Aviation Training at Embry-Riddle (Aeronautical University).
And prior to that was a 10-year stint in the Air Force as an Airborne Spanish Linguist. She’s a certified pilot and Air Traffic Controller; she’s taken survivalist training; she’s lived in South America and she’s traveled to many other parts of the world.
Still, she’s excited about her new job as Senior Business Manager, where she will administer the policies of two colleges, prepare a large volume of grants, and interact with students.
Many of us first met Kriss when the IBSB was housed in Biosciences West, and she was attracted to the team-oriented atmosphere she found here. She’s had a strong desire to work in a well-established academic department, and this job gives her that opportunity.
Originally from Florida, Kriss loves just about anything related to water, including sports and beaches. Much of her non-UA time is spent with her family, primarily her husband Russ and their three children.
We’re glad all that flying around landed her here.