The PROPS program includes a monthly profile of an A-State staff member that works every day behind the scenes to improve Arkansas State University… because EVERY Red Wolf Counts!
Staff members are selected from a pool of candidates that is created from the PROPS nomination form.
Julie Wyatt
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?
I’m not a big traveler; I am more of a homebody. However, if I could go anywhere, truly, I do not care where it is, as long as I have my people with me, which would be my family. Somewhere we could all relax, hang out, and have a good time. Whether it's the lake, the beach, or taking a vacation within the state, wherever my people are is where I am happy!
What is your favorite hobby?
My hobbies are my family, taking care of my grands, and hanging out with them. I also love volleyball, especially college volleyball here at A-State. I work as a libero tracker at the score table for volleyball. It's just my thing that I do for myself, it brings me happiness. My kids played volleyball when they were growing up, so it has always been one of my favorite things. I also enjoy watching it on TV in the fall. I don't care who's playing; if it's on, I’m going to watch. Work has become a bit of a hobby too. I love when I get to do things outside of the office for work; it's fun for me.
What is your most prized possession?
My family, by far! My family—my husband, my children, and the icing on the cake, my grands. I have eight grandchildren, and they just make life good. So, that is my most prized possession. Also, my mother is still living, so she is a prized possession too. I'm very lucky in that regard.
What is your biggest obstacle and how have you mastered it?
My biggest obstacle is probably feeling like I have to do everything myself and not being able to let go of some control, recognizing that it's okay to need help, and acting on it. Diana (Corder) has helped me overcome that obstacle by making the transition of letting go of some of these responsibilities so easy and seamlessly. She is amazing.
If you could have another career, what would it be?
It would probably have to be in healthcare. I have taken care of my family through various sicknesses. I had a sick child when she was very little, so I got very involved in the healthcare industry. My dad was also sick for many years, and I took care of him. Whenever I go to the doctor with some of my family, people will ask, 'Oh, are you in healthcare?' and I’m like, 'No, I’ve just been around it a lot.' So, something in healthcare. But, I am exactly where I need and want to be.
What is your favorite movie?
I love 'Pretty Woman.' I think it's a really fun movie, and I like the story behind it too—the idea that you can be what you want to be. So, probably 'Pretty Woman' is one that I can watch over and over. I don't generally like to watch movies repeatedly, but that one is an exception.
What is one thing you wish you could teach everyone about your role on campus?
That it's a lot of fun. It's a lot of work, but it is so much fun, and there are so many opportunities to learn. I learn something new every single day. You have to be open to learning and willing to change. You have to be very flexible in this role, jumping from one thing to another quickly and trying to manage it all without leaving the Chancellor hanging when he's supposed to be somewhere. It is very complex, but it is the most rewarding thing to see all aspects of the campus and witness so much good coming from so many people. It's just such a blessing that I get to see all that because of the role I'm in.
I remember when I was first interviewed for a position at A-State, in the College of Business for Dr. Frey. During the interview, he mentioned something about working in the private sector as opposed to on campus. I was confused and said, 'I don't understand what you're talking about—private? It's part of Jonesboro, but it is its own community, its own family.' I think that's something that was most revealing to me—that we are like our own city, our own community.
What do you like most about A-State?
It is the sense of family. We're all part of the same end goal, which is to educate students and prepare them to be productive in the world. That includes everybody, from the Chancellor to Kathy in HR doing her training, to Kelly in Honors, Greg who works for Dr. Marsico, and everyone else on campus. It takes everybody, and I think that's something many people don't understand. They don't realize that they make a difference, but everybody does, and we can't be successful or achieve what we need to do without everyone working together. That's from the people in Sodexo at the union to the institutional service assistants who come in at night.
What is your favorite quote?
I have this sign on my desk that I think about a lot in my position, and I’ll say it to anybody who listens. It says, 'Act Without Expectation.' I see it every day, and I have to remember it and try to live by it. To me, it means just do the right thing without expecting something in return. Just do the right thing, and it all works together for the good of the campus and everybody here. It sets a tone for me and reminds me every day that we are here for the good of the campus. Just do the right thing, and everything else will pretty much take care of itself."
