ENMU human resources director moving on

Editor’s note: The last day of work for Eastern New Mexico University’s director of human resources is Friday.

Tammi Gardner is moving to Florida with her husband, Jay.

In this interview, she discusses her career at ENMU and future plans.

When did you begin working at ENMU, and what jobs have you held?

I began on Sept. 9, 2005, as senior secretary for health services. I have also been executive secretary for the vice president for student affairs, financial aid specialist, interim coordinator for alumni affairs while working as FA specialist manager, human resources/payroll services director, and director of human resources.

What are the main duties of your job?

Too many to list. Just kidding. My main role is to provide leadership to the university in its personnel and payroll areas. Other duties are retirement and tax reporting, investigations when necessary, maintenance of our HR/payroll banner functions, being available and listening when an employee has a concern or problem, and ensuring that the employees of ENMU feel like they are working in a safe and pleasant environment.

The biggest part of my job is the handling of human relations, which is what I love the most about my job. As hard as some of the human relations situations may be, I love working with people.

What have you enjoyed most about your job, and what have been the biggest challenges?

What I love the most about my job is the time I get to spend with the employees of ENMU. This job, as tough as it may be, is very rewarding. More times than not, I am helping an employee with an issue, not having to issue reprimands or do terminations. The one time I help someone stays with me longer than any negative things I have to do.

Biggest challenges: The tax reporting. I am not a numbers person; I am a people person. It isn’t my money and I don’t want to mess up.

What will be your best memories of ENMU, and what will you miss the most?

Wow, I have so many good memories I can’t even think which is the best. I have three that I want to mention.

The first one is all the times I have been able to help a longtime employee move into the next stage of their life, retirement. The glow in their eyes and the excitement just makes me want to retire.

The second one is when my daughter and I were ... having dinner and an athlete that I had helped many times while I was working in financial aid insisted on paying our tab. That showed me that our students do appreciate everything we do for them.

The last one I will mention is all the tennis games and tournaments I was a part of. Those were some good times and special friendships that were built.

What is your ultimate career goal?

Well, to be honest, the job I am leaving was my career goal. I have been telling everyone that I am leaving my dream job for my dream location.

What are your future plans, and how do you feel about them?

Gardner: I have been telling my husband that my future plans are to work on the beach, renting out beach chairs and umbrellas. He doesn’t like that idea as much as I do. In all seriousness, my future plans are to try to find a position in human resources and spend time with my family. We are moving closer to our oldest daughter and have hopes that our youngest daughter will eventually follow and our son will move there with our precious grandson.

What are your priorities in life?

First and foremost is my family. I can’t wait to spend the holidays with them and play on the beach. Another priority, which I have been letting slip lately, is my health. What better place to get healthy than Florida. I plan to get back to running, hiking, playing tennis and biking in that beautiful place.

— Compiled by Wendel Sloan, ENMU Communication Services