Each month, newly-hired faculty, staff and GTFs are invited to share basic information with AroundtheO about their new positions at the UO and their occupational and/or educational backgrounds. The purpose is to introduce and welcome them to campus, and to enhance the university's sense of community.

This month:

Tracey Gisquet

Tracey Gisquet was recently hired as a pre-award sponsored projects administrator in Sponsored Project Services. Gisquet worked in the field of sponsored projects for 10 years before coming to the University of Oregon, with five years in higher education and five years in healthcare. Most recently, she worked with Mayo Clinic Arizona for five years, managing several hundred clinical trials and serving in an enterprise compliance role for federal awards. Gisquet has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Arizona, and enjoys swimming, running, hiking and taking photographs in her spare time.

Lauren Thompson

Lauren Thompson started working in mid-December as the Duck Athletic Fund intern. She worked for Posh Consulting during her last term at UO as a public relations and communications research intern and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. When she isn’t working, Thompson likes to travel, cook and stay active.

Mary Ann Petersen

Marry Ann Petersen was hired in mid-December as the acupuncturist in the student health center. She has worked as an acupuncturist for six years, and has worked for Downtown Physical Therapy in Eugene for the past four years, where she continues to work in addition to her new position at UO. Petersen graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and likes to exercise, play the ukulele and grow flowers in her free time.

Kristen Smith

Kristen Smith was hired in February as the executive assistant to the vice provost in Information Services. She has worked in similar positions for the past five years, and most recently worked for Springfield Public Schools as an administrative secretary at Ridgeview Elementary School. Smith graduated from the University of Oregon in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management, and loves skiing, reading and traveling when she isn’t working.

Becca Puleo

Becca Puleo was hired at the end of January as an office specialist for Enterprise Risk Services. She has worked in similar positions for more than eight years, and most recently worked as a legal assistant in Wyoming for three years. Puleo received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Oregon in 2003, and enjoys hiking, cooking and spending time with family.

Kitri Waterman

Kitri Waterman started working in March as a wireless network engineer for Information Services. He spent the last four years with the City of Eugene working on a network supporting WLAN. He graduated from Guilford College in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in information technology. When he isn’t working, Waterman enjoys tinkering with computers, spending time with family and friends, and getting outside to enjoy fresh air and the Pacific Northwest.

Joe Bernardi

Joe Bernardi was recently hired as a graduate assistant coach for the UO football team. He most recently worked at the University of Tennessee for two years as the offensive quality control. Bernardi graduated from Fresno State University in 2010 with a degree in communications.

David Jordan

David Jordan began working at the UO in February as the desktop administrator for Campus Operations. He has worked for more than 20 years in both facilities management and IT systems engineering, and most recently worked with PacificSource Health Plans as the desktop support manager. Jordan graduated from California State University at Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in English. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his son and wife, camping, gardening and snowboarding.

Leigh Ann Stephens

Leigh Ann Stephens was hired in February as an accounting technician for the housing department. She has worked in similar positions for seven years, and most recently worked in POS audit and accounts receivable at Jerry’s Home Improvement Center in Eugene for six years. Stephens received her associate degree in applied science from Lane Community College, and likes to read and spend time with her husband and two boys when she isn’t working.

Bronwyn Dorhofer

Bronwyn Dorhofer was hired in March as the access services and outreach librarian for the UO PDX Library and Learning Commons. She has worked in libraries for the past six years, and most recently worked for the Portland State University Branford P. Millar Library for four and a half years. Dorhofer graduated from Portland State University with a bachelor’s degree in art history and from Emporia State University with a master’s degree in library science. When she isn’t working, Dorhofer enjoys gardening, painting, drawing, reading old books and collecting antiques.

Scott Morrell

Scott Morrell was hired in February as an assistant registrar for the Office of the Registrar. He has spent 15 years in similar positions, and most recently worked for Southern Oregon University (SOU) as a transfer coordinator for 22 years. Morrell graduated from SOU summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in international studies, and enjoys collecting antique telegraph insulators in his spare time.

Michelle Hyde-Wright

Michelle Hyde-Wright was hired in mid-February as a study abroad advisor in the Office of International Affairs. This is her first full-time position, though she has been a student worker and temporary employee in the office since fall 2011 where she advised students on study abroad opportunities and conducted outreach efforts. Hyde-Wright graduated from the UO last June with a bachelor’s degree in international studies, and enjoys reading, salsa dancing and learning new languages in her free time.

Renee Mulligan

Renee Mulligan started working in March as a health promotion specialist in the health promotion department in the University Health Center. She has worked for nine years in public health, community nutrition and health education, and most recently worked for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as a project coordinator. Mulligan graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and from Western Carolina University with a master’s degree in health education. Outside of work, Mulligan enjoys mountain biking, hiking with her dogs, gardening and playing the ukulele.

- by Taylor Robertson, UO Office of Strategic Communications intern