Honoring Milestone Anniversaries

As announced by President Fitts, the university will continue its tradition of honoring staff employees who have reached milestone anniversaries with the university. The Office of Human Resources & Institutional Equity have designated the month of June to honor and celebrate these employees by highlighting the service of one or more milestone recipients each week, to be shared with the Tulane community.

Check out this page every week in June, as we will be highlighting more milestone recipients.

Jonathan Tran | 10 years

• Current position: Application/Delivery Lead I
• Brief description of role: Innovating and delivering application and products to help enhance the Tulanian experience.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? Being able to see the end product being used and praised by the Tulane community.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? Collaboration and flexibility.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? It was prior to being in the payroll system, I was sought out by former colleagues to join back to the department because they were not willing to see me go!
• Favorite time of year:  Easily it is Christmas break because the time off really allows me to spend time with my family.

 

Corlis Trepagnier | 40 years

• Current position: Administrative Program Coordinator
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? Providing a service to the faculty and Department that involves patient care and teaching collaboratively.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? Interacting with administrative faculty and department faculty, resident in providing patient care which contributes to the Medical Center community.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? Spring time. Everyone and everything around us are all brand new.

 

Michelle Murpuri | 20 years

• Current position: Associate Director of Programs, Campus Recreation
• Brief description of role: I lead a team of 5 professional staff who create recreational programming and special events for the Tulane Community.  The program areas include:  Club Sports, Fitness & Wellness, Intramural Sports, and Outdoor Adventures.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? I work with a great team of professional staff in Campus Recreation. When we all come together to put on a special event or program we work hard and have fun. Seeing the participants enjoy the event and interacting with them during the event makes all the hard work worthwhile.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? The size of Tulane makes it easy to get to know students, faculty, and staff in all different areas of campus and creates opportunities to have a variety of different experiences.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? Welcoming students back to campus after Hurricane Katrina! It was an emotional year, but I have a lot of great memories also. From being part of a welcome-back committee, to leading a NOLA Experience pre-orientation program, and seeing past presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton speak at commencement. I also got to see the Dalai Lama speak at commencement a few years later and that is another great memory!
• Favorite time of year: My favorite time of year is when the students arrive/return in the Fall Semester.  After a long hot, humid, and quiet summer, it’s still hot & humid, but at least the campus is buzzing with excitement and possibility. I also enjoy the Fall Semester in general, cooler weather eventually prevails, which is great for outdoor activities both on and off campus!

 

Pamela Fatland | 30 years

• Current position: Assistant Director, Office of Environmental Health & Safety
• Brief description of role:I am in charge of overseeing laboratory/research safety on all of Tulane’s Campuses. I currently supervise 5 employees who handle the lab safety, hazardous waste, and radiation safety needs for the University.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? I like making a difference in the safety of laboratory personnel, teaching them the importance of properly planning for, using, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials. I am constantly learning something new – whether it is reviewing new regulations, learning new technology, reviewing new research ideas, or just determining the best practices to keep a person safe in the lab environment.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? I like learning about the cutting research projects that are going on, but most of all I like meeting the lab personnel in the field throughout all of Tulane’s campuses and getting to know a little about what they do.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? The most memorable thing about working at Tulane, not necessarily my favorite memory, was helping to prepare the university to return after Hurricane Katrina. OEHS went through every building on every campus looking for hazards. I often gave a welcome back safety speech to researchers discussing what hazards they should look for in their labs that had been empty for months, and also giving them tips on staying safe in a city that was still very much deserted.
• Favorite time of year: My favorite Tulane event is Crawfest. I am a New Orleans girl and love the seafood here in this city. Why would anyone ever move anywhere else?

 

Susan Barrera | 30 years

• Current position: Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
• Brief description of role: I am responsible for managing the administrative and fiscal operations for the School of Public Health and serving as an advisor to the dean on financial and administrative matters.I am also responsible for the oversight of the research administration operations in the school.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? I am fortunate to work in the best school of public health in the country and to work with so many faculty, staff and students who are working hard to make this world a better place.In my role, I am able to see firsthand the work our school is doing both locally and globally in research and in preparing our students to be future public health leaders around the world.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? The best thing about working at Tulane is that you become a part of the Tulane family. Everyone works together to ensure that our students have the best experience while they are here and that our employees have the support they need to succeed in their positions.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? One of my favorite memories working at Tulane is when the university was able to re-open after Katrina. After going through so much, it was so nice to see everyone back at work again and providing support to one another and working to get the university ready for the students to return.
• Favorite time of year: My favorite time of year is football season.I enjoy tailgating and attending the games in Yulman Stadium with my family.

 

Brian Lowe | 10 years

• Current position: Director, Shuttles & Transportation and Parking Services
• Brief description of role: Oversee strategic vision of departments including budgetary oversight, infrastructure/capital purchases, and departmental policies and procedures.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? I get to work with a talented and passionate team within Campus Services.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? The opportunity to keep Tulane moving forward through transportation services.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? The experience of graduating with an MBA from the AB Freeman School of Business.
• Favorite time of year:  I enjoy taking my family to Tulane women’s volleyball games and Summer Lyric Theater.

 

Tamara Simmons | 5 years

• Current position: Budget & Administrative Coordinator II
• Brief description of role: Provides direct planning, communication, and budget support for the Sr. VP & COO, Chief of Staff to the COO, and the Assoc. VP of Institutional Budgets & Planning.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? Having the ability to interact and collaborate with elite business professionals.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? Tulane offers endless resources and opportunities for faculty and staff to excel. I also especially love how the university as a whole cares for and caters to the student body.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? I was hired as a temporary employee soI fondly remember the day I became an official Tulanian. Another awesome memory was when I was awarded the coveted President’s Staff Excellence Award! What a memorable day! I couldn’t believe my colleagues didn’t give me any advance notice. They really can keep a secret!
• Favorite time of year:  I love both the fall and spring semesters. Fall signals the start of football season festivities. While spring introduces unlimited crawfish at Crawfest. Crawfest is a mandatory tradition for locals and it’s a rite of passage for those who are new to the city.

 

Barry Spanier | 15 years

• Current position: Director of Bands
• Brief description of role: I direct the band program, which provides live performance at events across the university and in the community. Band program ensembles include the Tulane University Marching Band (TUMB), Tulane Concert Band, Soundwave Pep Band, Green Wave Brass Band, Shockwave Dance Team, color guard and drumline.  
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? As Director of Bands, I treasure the opportunity to work with our talented and motivated students.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? Tulane provides a positive work environment that is forward thinking and collaborative.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? My favorite memory of working at Tulane is supporting the TUMB as they perform in annual Mardi Gras parades, playing and dancing their way through the city with thrilling energy and enthusiasm that gets the crowds cheering.
• Favorite time of year: My favorite time of year is April as the band program presents its spring concerts, and we can reflect on the accomplishments of our students and celebrate our graduating seniors.

 

Lynell Dupepe | 30 years

• Current position: Associate Director, Department of Comparative Medicine-Downtown Campus
• Brief description of role: Plays a critical role in the department’s administration, growth, development, strategic and master planning.Manages the operations of the department to remain in compliance with appropriate state, federal and accrediting organizations.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? My passion is working with animals.Working at Tulane gives me the opportunity to facilitate quality research that benefits both people and animals.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? I like working for Tulane because of its excellence in academia, research and medicine.Tulane is a resilient, civic minded organization steeped in tradition, and woven into the fabric of the city of New Orleans. I am very lucky because Tulane has afforded me an opportunity to advance my career in Laboratory Animal Science.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? The Three R’s after Katrina.Experiencing the comradery, team work and friendships born between Tulane Staff, Faculty, Non-affiliated Volunteers and Federal Agencies post Katrina that helped us Rebuild our city/university/department, Restore the research effort, and Renew the ties that bind the Tulane Community was a profound experience that I will never forget.
• Favorite time of year: I love the symbolism of the white coat ceremony where first year medical students begin a career in medicine, match day when senior medical students find out where they will continue their medical training, attending the dissertation defense of our PhD candidates, Association of Laboratory Animal Science Technician week, Biomedical Research Awareness Day (BRAD), holiday art sale and of course last but not least.....Baseball season!

 

Brian Johnson | 5 years

• Current position: Associate Vice President for Campus Operations
• Brief description of role: Oversight and responsibility for the delivery of auxiliary units and service units for the University including Dining, Customer Engagement, Event Services, Mail, Childcare, and others.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? My favorite part of my role is collaborating and delivering on positive changes for our students. We are blessed to have dedicated, competent professionals who are passionate about Tulane. Being a part of the collective success with great colleagues makes for some amazing achievements that enhance student engagement and the student experience.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? I like that no day is ever the same. The university has so many transformative projects and goals.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? Has to be when a student reached back out after graduating to update me and thank me for being a part of their experience.
• Favorite time of year: Definitely fall move in when the students move in. The energy and excitement really sets the table for the year.

 

Bobbie Garner-Coffie | 20 years

• Current position: Instructional Technology Specialist (Innovative Learning Center/IT)
• Brief description of role (a sentence or two): Collaborate with faculty and other university partners to identify the best uses for technology instruction to meet specific learning or teaching goals in a variety of environments.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? Helping others learn something new.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? The life-long friendships and comradery I’ve developed; the opportunities to keep on learning; the professional growth and networking with peers/colleagues/community partners.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? There are too many of them to count! I would say, because of Tulane, I have made many memories. A standout memory is experiencing commencement as both a volunteer and a graduate with my family.
• Favorite time of year: Commencement is one of my favorite times at Tulane. It’s when I see the culmination of everyone’s thoughtful and dedicated work over the course of the year transform into this magical moment in the lives of the families. Well worth it to see the smiles!

 

Lisa Ezaki | 10 years

• Current Position: Senior Financial Services Manager, Institutional Planning/Budget
• Brief description of role: I’m the primary budget resource for my assigned university units and am responsible for financial oversight, modeling, forecasting and budgeting
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? Getting a glimpse of different projects and initiatives across the university that impact our community and beyond. I’m amazed by the small slice of the pie I see and it’s exciting to know there’s so much more.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? The people I get to work with. It’s great to be around people that work hard towards a shared goal and have fun doing it.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? Snowballs on the quad, the opening of Yulman Stadium, anytime there’s something to celebrate
• Favorite time of year: Winter recess. It’s great to have time to really relax and recharge.

 

Jason Chretien | 25 years

• Current position: Interim Associate Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Equity
• Brief description of role: The AVP of HR&IE is responsible for leading the organization in the design, development, and implementation of programs, services, and systems that support our talent management strategy while insuring productive partnerships with university constituents. This includes the leadership of Benefits, Compensation, Employee Engagement, Employee Relations, HR Accounting, HR Information Systems, Institutional Equity, Learning and Organizational Development, Payroll, Records, and Talent Acquisition.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? The ability to serve as a leader by developing and implementing innovative solutions to resolve Institutional challenges and support strategic directives while deriving personal satisfaction from making a difference in the lives of employees and students.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? No two days are ever alike and the ability to interact with the best minds, who are eager to learn and share knowledge to solve problems and tackle the unknown.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? As the saying goes “There is an opportunity in every crisis and the deeper the crisis, the better the opportunity.” Katrina recovery and the navigation through COVID have been uniquely memorable.
• Favorite time of year? Commencement - the culmination of everything we do. Also a member of the Student Line-Up Team since the first Unified Commencement.

 

Julie Smith-Price | 10 years

• Current position:As director,I am responsible for overseeing the overall operation of the Newcomb Children's Center, ensuring a high-quality environment that benefits faculty, staff and students of Tulane University,and when space provides the broader New Orleans community.
• Brief description of role: I love the fact that my role allows me to affect growth and change in the Early Childhood Education profession.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? The thing I like most about working at Tulane University is the overwhelming degree of support and assistance our program receives from the broader University community.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? My favorite memory of working at Tulane is the winter holiday season when we have a Giving Tree celebration in which our parents bring gifts for families in need.We gather around a lighted tree, along with the children, families, all their gifts,and sing holiday carols.It is such a warm memory.
• Favorite time of year? Another favorite time of year at Tulane is the Wave Goodbye tradition that brings all of the graduate families together before commencement.

 

Michael Goodman | 30 years

• Current position:Associate Vice President, University Financial Aid
• Brief description of role: Oversee the University’s financial aid operations throughout the university, including all undergraduate, graduate, and professional student populations.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? The opportunity to assist awesome students to matriculate at Tulane and graduate with a Tulane degree.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? The people!A great work environment with everyone supporting each other.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? Surviving Hurricane Katrina and coming back strong ever since!
• Favorite time of year: I’m an avid supporter of Tulane athletics and so my favorite time of year is when I have a chance to attend a Tulane sporting event! ROLL WAVE!

 

Faith Dawson | 5 years

• Current position:Editorial director, University Communications and Marketing.
• Brief description of role: I work on some of Tulane’s publications including Tulane Today newsletter, Tulanian magazine, Tulanian Now and School of Medicine publications. I’m a writer, editor and manager.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? I like talking to the professors about their research projects, which are always so interesting and fun to report on. I walk away knowing something about economics, epidemiology, archeology and more.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? The campus is so gorgeous; I love walking around the quads and buildings. But the best part is access to so many dedicated faculty members.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? My two favorite stories that I have written since coming here both concerned Ebola. The spread of that disease was horrifying, but some of our Tulanians have been part of the response to it (one story was about a student, one was about a faculty member). These were stories that showed their bravery, compassion, ingenuity and perseverance,in a setting that few of us could imagine.
• Favorite time of year: I love commencement. I have always loved graduation ceremonies because the students have accomplished so much and have worked so hard. I love seeing the joy on their faces and hearing the words of the graduation speaker. Education is very important to my family and I am moved when I see others’ educational journeys reach a pinnacle.

 

Nadia Golden | 10 years

• Current position:Senior Research Administrator
• Brief description of role:In my current position I manage the High Containment Research Performance Core. Our team performs BSL3 level research studies in the Regional Biocontainment Laboratory at the Primate Center.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? The opportunity to network and work with multiple collaborators to perform their research studies in our lab.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had to grow professionally and advance my career over the last ten years.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? Receiving the 2020 President's Team Excellence Award.I work with an amazing team, and it was great receiving recognition for our effort and hard work.
• Favorite time of year: I’m a proud Tulanian, so definitely the Tulane commencements. I love the excitement of graduation day! It reminds me of graduation day in 2018 when my dad, sister and I graduated on the same day. I also really love our annual crawfish boils!

 

Carolyn Barber-Pierre | 35 years

• Current position: Asst Vice President for Intercultural Life
• Brief description of your role: I serve as the Asst Vice President and a member of the Senior Leadership Team for the Division of Student Affairs. As the AVP for the Carolyn Barber-Pierre Center for Intercultural Life my role is to develop meaningful relationships, creating unique, intentional and sustainable programming, services, experiences and advocacy for the BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and other marginalized students helping them not only successfully navigate through the Tulane experience but helping them to thrive while they are here.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? My interactions with students: mentoring, teaching and supporting them throughout their tenure at Tulane.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? The colleagues that I met and collaborated with over the last 37 years.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? Tie-Taking a group of 25 students and faculty on an Ancient African Heritage tour of Egypt
• Favorite time of year: I love Homecoming when I get to meet, celebrate, and reminisce with students, alumni and parents.

 

Madonna Covington | 45 years

• Current position: Budget/Administrative Coordinator I manage the budget, and assist the Director in planning and projecting annual expenditures and revenues of the department.
• Brief description of role: I process financial transactions, assist in recruiting for new hires, and I am the Kronos Timekeeper.
• What do you like most about your role at Tulane? I am grateful for the opportunity I had to learn and grow on my job.
• What do you like most about working at Tulane? I had the pleasure of meeting so many people across the University.
• Favorite memory of working at Tulane? Some of my favorite memories are when the Staff would get together for special occasions.
• Favorite time of year: I always looked forward to the students returning for the fall semester.I enjoyed all of the activity.