Employee Spotlight: Jolene Truckenbrod

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Name: Jolene Truckenbrod

Position at UWGB: Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Summary of what you do: Process payroll and benefits for employees who are paid bi-weekly.

How long have you been employed: 12 years

Brief history of employment with UWGB: When I started, I worked as a part-time Human Resources Assistant at the front desk, and then in 2016 my position changed to a full-time Payroll and Benefits Specialist.

Three words that describe you: I guess nice, quiet and probably smiling

Personal interests: I enjoying spending time with family, watching my youngest daughter play soccer and my oldest daughter sing in musicals and choir events, and helping with Sunday School at church.

Random facts/interests: I spent a semester abroad in France during college – great experience!

Are you messy or organized? Organized

Best vacation you’ve been to? Tough call – my best vacation with kids was to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, and my best vacation with my husband was to Acadia National Park in Maine.

Describe what you were like at age 10. Long straight hair, big teeth, and awkward!

Do you have a favorite newspaper, blog? HR Connect blog of course!

If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day? High school career counselor

If you could change one thing about working here, what would it be?  That more people were happy in their jobs. It makes my day when someone comments that they enjoy their work, or like working here.

If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? Cereal

If your house was burning down, what’s the one non-living thing you would save? Pictures

Tell us a little bit about your family. Husband, Jeff and two daughters (ages 16 & 13)

What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far? Put yourself ‘in the other person’s shoes’ so you have a better idea of how to help them, do your homework – take the time to double check and look further into it, and most importantly – treat everyone you interact with at work with professionalism, respect and courtesy.

What are your hopes for our industry/school? I hope that UWGB continues to help students and employees grow and improve themselves.

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most? Helping people.

What book did you read last? The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand

What books are at your bedside? Bible, King’s Cage by Victoria Aveyard and The Preacher’s Daughter by Beverly Lewis

What did you want to be when growing up? Airline stewardess or singer (I am not a good singer!)

What do you like most about your job? The people I work with and the beautiful campus.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Read, do laundry, and watch New Girl or Friends on Netflix.

What does a typical day look like for you? Check payroll to make sure everyone is being paid correctly; answer questions about timesheets, benefits, retirement, etc.; meet with new employees and leaving employees to discuss benefits; run reports; help with Wellness Committee events.

What is the first concert you attended? Michael Bolton with my Mom & Dad!

What is your favorite sport? I enjoy watching the Packers

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work? Reading, hiking

What one food do you wish had zero calories? Dessert

What places have you lived in? Dykesville, Little Suamico, Stevens Point, Herouville-Saint-Clair, Altoona, Waupaca, Plover and Sobieski

What tv show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love? Not ashamed of it, but I love New Girl.

What was your favorite book, toy, or outfit as a child? Stuffed dog named Henry and Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? Fried octopus

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Still at UWGB I hope

Where is your favorite place to eat? Rustique

Where is your home town? Little Suamico

Where would you like to go on a dream vacation? Cruise to Alaska with my husband