Meet October Classified Employee of the Month Nancy Vandeman

Photo courtesy of: Classified SenateNancy Vandeman (center with scarf), poses with members of Classified Senate

Compass features a Q&A with the non-bargaining Classified Employee of the Month. Each month, Classified Senate selects an employee to acknowledge and recognize as someone who is setting high standards for excellence and innovation. The monthly feature, titled "Great Job," provides a glimpse into the honoree's life on and off campus.

How surprised were you to win the Employee of the Month award

It was a total surprise. I was on my way to a “bogus” meeting with my supervisor, I ran into the group of Classified Senate members in the hallway gathering for the presentation. Despite the obvious, I was clueless!          

What is your job title and how long have you worked it?

I am an account support specialist in the English Department. I was hired two years ago. Previously, I worked for 10 years at Hocking College, the last five years as an executive assistant in the Office of the President and secretary to the Hocking College Board of Trustees.

What are the most enjoyable things about your job?

Besides financials and problem solving, I work in a great department of faculty and staff members.

What is your hometown and where do you live now?

I’m from Berea, a small college town and southwest suburb of Cleveland. I married my junior high school sweetheart and we left Berea after graduating from college. We returned to Ohio in 2002 to raise our daughters in the Athens area.

What are your long-term goals?

Surprisingly, cleaning and organizing my house and I haven’t attained that goal yet. However, I’m at a point in life where living and appreciating each day to the fullest is my goal.

What was the last good book you read?

I read constantly. I love libraries and being surrounded by books. I basically read non-fiction like biographies and commentaries, and how-to books. I am currently reading “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” by J.D. Vance.

If you weren’t in your present job, you would be working as a ______?

I recently started the online paralegal certificate program at Liberty University, but had to put it on the backburner because of tuition costs. I’m fascinated with constitutional law.

What things in life are most important to you?

Faith, family and friendships.

Where is your favorite vacation destination?

We have lived and worked overseas and in four states. We don’t really take formal vacations any more, but I enjoy traveling to new places, even if it’s local.

What are your hobbies?

A small group of friends have started meeting Saturdays to quilt, so I’m now immersed in a new hobby. I enjoy cooking, watching sports and meeting people.

What is something that most people don’t know about you?

My husband was recruited by the New South Wales Department of Education to teach music at North Sydney Boys High School. He graduated from Bowling Green State University and within two weeks, we were married and living in Australia. We loved the country so much, we stayed six years.

What are your favorite TV shows?

I enjoy Shark Tank, The American Pickers, and The Food Network. Otherwise, I’m a news junkie.

Who are your favorite musicians?

I was raised listening to classical music and watching great TV like Leonard Bernstein’s “Young Peoples Concerts.” My head is stuck in the 1980s, but being married to a music teacher, we enjoy most genres.

What is the next big event you can't wait for?

Our oldest daughter married in 2016 and is talking about starting a family.

Who are your favorite celebrities?

Actually, I’m not interested in pop culture and don’t follow the Hollywood crowd, even though we lived in the Los Angeles area for nine years.

Who are the most annoying celebrities to you?

I admit there are some good folks in celebrity land, but most are annoying.

What is your dream car?

My dad was a salesman for Owens Corning Fiberglas for 30 years, and he could choose to drive any company car made with fiberglass parts. I would love to own his 1970 Avanti. I impressed a few dates with that car!

What is your favorite saying or quote?

“Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” – Thomas Edison