Photo by Jessica Maloney,
UNH Human Resources

Those who know Karen Mars could attest to the fact that she exudes a fearlessness with which she approaches most experiences. This fearlessness is likely the product of Karen's views - that challenges are opportunities and change, an adventure. Whether it be traveling abroad or navigating her way through challenges in the workplace, Karen's optimism, daring, love of learning and genuine interest in people are obvious.

Karen has worked at the University for the past thirteen years. Her current position is that of Senior Business Services Assistant in the Central Administration BSC, where she has worked for the last five years. In this position, she is responsible for processing invoices for payment, payroll processing, and managing P-Card transactions. When asked what is the most satisfying aspect of her job, Karen's response was, "learning new things everyday. With all the changes this year (Banner and HR Finance), it's been a very interesting year. Also, it's being given a task to do that you're not quite sure how to do, but getting the end result that you need and learning along the way." Another of her responsibilities, and likely her favorite, is that of assisting with travel arrangements. She is the department expert at booking flights. "I live vicariously through other people's trips!" she says, "If I could live my life over again, I'd love to be a travel agent."

Karen's traveling is not limited to armchair tourism. In addition to travels throughout the United States, she has been to England several times, and has also visited Ireland and France. One trip to England with her daughter began as an impromptu Christmas present with little planning, as Karen admits, "We went over there with no clue. I just wanted to go, and decided that if I didn't do it immediately, I probably never would." On that trip, her daughter met the man she would later marry, proving that Karen's adventurous spirit serves her, and her family, well.

Not only does Karen's friendly manner result in making fast acquaintances of strangers, but she also cultivates and prizes the connections with people she has met. She still maintains correspondence with people she met while touring through Europe. She also keeps in touch with childhood friends from the many summers she spent at Hampton Beach. Not surprisingly then, when asked what she most enjoys about working at UNH, Karen's response includes, "I enjoy the friendships that I've made with people. UNH gives you a chance to meet new people and to learn different ways people do things."

In addition to the aforementioned interest in travel, Karen's interests also include the theatre, motorcycles and antique cars. "My husband, John, and I enjoy riding our Harley Davidson and going to antique car shows. We've ridden on many motorcycle runs and have met all kinds of different people." Karen is the mother of two children, a daughter and son, and grandmother to a two year-old granddaughter. Her son, an Army engineer, has recently returned home, to the relief of his mother, after stints in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait.