Photo by Kevin Hinchey,
UNH Human Resources

For many, one of the most enticing aspects of coming to work at the University of New Hampshire are the benefits. Some folks take better advantage of some of those benefits than others. Carol Tuttle is one of those people.

"I definitely took advantage of the tuition waiver benefits," Carols says. Taking one class at a time, Carol earned both an Associate's Degree (General Studies) and a Bachelor's Degree (Social Studies) while working full-time at UNH. She graduated with honors in both. "I was looking for a job with good benefits where I could pursue a degree. I enjoyed the classes, and the degrees I earned certainly helped me in moving up the ladder here at UNH," Carol stated. And move up that ladder she has. Starting in 1987 as a housekeeper at Huddleston Hall, Carol was promoted to Housekeeping Supervisor in 1988, hired as the MUB Facilities Scheduler in 1989, promoted to Facilities Manager in 1996, and promoted again to MUB Assistant Director in 2001.

As MUB Assistant Director, Carol oversees all aspects of the MUB facilities and events. These events include: conferences, trainings, classes, movies, concerts, comedians, presidential debates, freshman orientation, and SYMS (Summer Youth Music School). The MUB hosts over 10,000 meetings and events each year. The fast pace and ever-changing events serve to keep Carol on her toes. "It's never dull," she understates. "That's one of the reasons I've stayed on this job so long. It's always 'I wonder what will happen today?' I thrive on that!"

Carol was one of the members of the first Managing @UNH programs. She describes the experience as "the best work-related training I've ever been involved in. Programs can't truly be effective without the buy-in of the participants and that program certainly has that. I've never heard anything but positive feedback from every participant I've spoken with."

A University is nothing without it's students and the students at UNH "keep her young" and are a large part of her day to day work. "We always think 'what will the students think' when we do renovations at the MUB, etc," Carol says. "We develop a mutual respect. We see so much of the positive aspects of the students in the MUB. They feel a type of ownership of this building. We want it to feel like home for them. We're going to do everything we can to make sure they enjoy their stay at UNH."

As for hobbies and outside interests, Carol says "I enjoy camping (she and her husband Gary have a seasonal campsite in Loudon, NH), reading, and working on crafts. I enjoy knitting, crocheting, and painting. I'm always looking for something new to try. And I'm a Disney Freak! I'm a huge fan of anything Disney. We've been to Disney World 8 times." The couple is also planning a Caribbean cruise in November.

When asked about whom at UNH has had a positive impact on her, Carol says "the two people who have supported me in every way are Marianne Fortescue and Leila Moore. Without them I would not be where I am today. They have supported me both professionally and personally and I will be forever grateful to both of these incredible women. Marianne hired me and she saw something in me from my very first day. She's always pushed me and has been in my corner. The University has given me so many opportunities."

And Carol Tuttle has been giving back to the University ever since.