Employee Spotlight: Illene Cupit

Illene CupitName: Illene Cupit

Position at UWGB: Professor of Human Development

Summary of what you do: Professor stuff (teach, research, Chair the IRB, and a million other things)

How long have you been employed: Forever

Brief history of employment with UWGB: I was hired as a young assistant professor back in 1984 and have aged into a ripe-old Full Professor

Three words that describe you: A Noo Yawkah at heart; loyal, and a wise-guy (hmm that is more than three words, but what else can you expect from a professor?)

Personal interests: Reading, biking, swimming, cooking (and eating) spending time with my kids

  • Are you messy or organized? I am both.

Best vacation you’ve been to? I went to Israel with my son in 2012 and it was an amazing trip.

Do you have a favorite newspaper, blog? The New York Times

Do you recall any embarrassing moment at work? Showing a candidate for a Human Development position around campus, I slipped, spilled coffee all over her and the floor, and split the zipper on my skirt which almost fell down around me. She told me that before that happened she was really nervous, but she wasn’t afterwards!!

Favorite travel spot? I will go anywhere. I love to travel.

If you could change one thing about working here, what would it be? Reduce workload!

If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be? Arthur Rubenstein

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? The rugby match that unified South Africa

If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? Bagels, lox and cream cheese—what else???

If you were an animal what would you be? A bird.

If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it? Made in the Bronx

If your house was burning down, what’s the one non-living thing you would save? My father’s chess set.

Least favorite Food? I love all food.

People would be surprised if they knew: I think everyone knows everything about me. I am about as transparent as they come.

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us? I would like to stand up comedy

Top 3 life highlights – The birth of my kids, getting the Rosenberg Named Professorship, having my son play the trumpet to the first dance of my daughter’s wedding.

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most? Interacting with my amazing colleagues and students.

What book did you read last? Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

What celebrity do people think you look like? People said I looked like Carly Simon when we both were younger.

What did you want to be when growing up? A teacher!

What do you always want to try and never did? Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

What do you like to do in your spare time? If I found some spare time I would like to sit in the sun, read the New York Times and drink coffee.

What does a typical day look like for you? All day I am in OMG mode

What is an ability you wish you had? To sing really beautifully

What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery? I would pay off my kids’ student loans.   (and then get a new couch because my wonderful kitty is presently destroying the one I have). And I would endow my position in Human Development and Camp Lloyd.