Photo by Christina VanHorn,
UNH Human Resources

There is a lot to be said for "being in the right place at the right time." It's even more beneficial to be prepared while being in the right place at the right time. A shining example of that is Sue Desrosiers.

After having worked 15 years as a Government Contractor for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Sue recalls "as government outsourcing shrank, government contracts were not being renewed and the company closed its doors. In my 40's, with limited experience, I was out looking for a new job. I vowed if I ever had the opportunity, I would go to college and get a degree. As I looked around the area, I realized that UNH would be a good place to work."

Sue began her career at UNH in January 1993, after answering an ad in a local paper looking for someone to type research material. "The research was recorded on cassette tapes that I would transcribe," she explains. "I did this from home and would drive to campus a couple times a week to pickup/drop off material. While doing this job a friend of mine, Carolyn Geiler, told me of an opportunity in the Controller's Office for a temporary position that needed to be filled while someone was going out on maternity leave. I applied and got the job as Administrative Secretary to Accounting Services."

Taking full advantage of this new situation, Sue says "working in the Controller's Office was a great learning experience and I soaked it all in. Not having a lot of experience using computers, I was determined to learn and gain experience so that when this temporary assignment ended, I would have broadened my scope of knowledge. The Controller's Office proved the perfect place to do just that - from using Excel to typing financial statements to a variety of documents in Word. I was struck by the dedication and commitment of my co-workers. The position was to last 3-1/2 months. However, a need arose for an Administrative Secretary in Disbursement Services to support AP and the Payroll Department. There I learned about CUFS and cashiering. While working in Disbursement Services, my position became a benefits eligible position in June of 1995."

"From there I moved on to Business Services as an Administrative Assistant, gaining experience in working with students. After about two years, the position of Administrative Assistant became available in FAST working for Alice Samuel. Alice was to be the Team Leader for Banner Finance for Project FRESH, and I thought that this would be an exciting project. I applied and got the job. Working for the Implementation Project required excellent communication and interpersonal skills, being well organized, flexible and able to handle a multitude tasks. It was a time for me to get to know so many hard working wonderful people working at this University. I treasure the experience and feel privileged to have been part of the team. After Finance Go Live and a brief assignment to Banner HR, I am at Leavitt Lane as part of the FAST Team where the learning experiences continue."

Some of the many responsibilities of Sue's current position include developing and maintaining overall USNH Financial Services website content and design (as well as other electronic publications and applications) to keep web information current; monitoring Remedy Incidents submitted to the Help Desk, which then requires contacting customers and resolving various issues; updating training documentation to Banner 6.X; and managing the review and updating of the policy and procedures manual. She says that "being open to change, willing to learn new skills and tackle new projects, having good communication and listening skills, and being able to organize and coordinate events and meetings" are essential skills for her position.

One of the many benefits available to UNH employees is the ability to take courses. Sue made excellent use of that benefit. "In September of 1995 I began the journey to get my degree," she recalls, "being grateful that I could take advantage of the tuition waiver program. One course at a time and eight years later, I did get a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology."

When asked who at UNH has had a positive impact on her, Sue doesn't hesitate to say "if it weren't for Carolyn Geiler telling me about the position available in the Controller's Office, I might not be here now. Carolyn has a strong work ethic and a wonderful sense of humor that helps to get through the day. I also admire my supervisor, Alice Samuel, who has afforded me opportunities to expand by duties in FAST, and the rest of the FAST team who are very supportive. I also enjoy the people and lasting friendships I've made at UNH and especially the weekly Monday lunches with friends."

Sue and her husband, Rene, are Somersworth, NH residents. In her time away from the University, Sue says "my favorite thing is visiting our daughters (Wendy and Melanie) and grandchildren (Alec, age 9; Griffin, age 7; and Peyton, age 4). Wendy recently moved from Phoenix, Arizona to Dillon, CO and Melanie and our grandchildren live in Santa Cruz, CA - all wonderful places to visit! We try to get out at least twice a year. Sewing is also a passion of mine and I have made all my daughters fancy dresses including their prom gowns and wedding dresses. I now love to sew for 'Miss Peyton' -- she loves grandma's dresses. We also love to go camping and have a 33' Allegro Class A RV that we take out on weekends once the nice weather begins. We have met wonderful people RVing. Eventually we hope to do more touring and cross-country RVing." Sue and Rene belong to the Good Sam's Club, and are members of the Cocheco Sam's.

As for other hobbies, Sue says "I'm an avid reader and love murder mysteries. I'm a cookbook and Christmas Treasury book collector, and I enjoy hiking, and walks at noon time with friends. Another one of Sue's hobbies is cake decorating, something she's done and enjoyed for about 20 years. "Though I've retired from doing that professionally, every once in a while a cake will turn up at the office," she admits. "Most requested is Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and my White Chocolate Cake with White Chocolate Frosting!"