Five Questions: Shreya Trivedi

1. What made you want to call UCF home? 
I came to UCF in 2001 as an international student from Kenya who didn’t know anyone. I arrived right around 9/11, over 25 years ago, and it was an extremely stressful and uncertain time for everyone. UCF welcomed me, helped me build a support system and provided resources and opportunities that I would not have had otherwise. I never thought I’d find my permanent home at UCF because to me, home is where the family is. I met my husband during my senior year of college and got offered a full-time position at UCF. That’s when Orlando and UCF started to feel like a second home. A few years later, my parents and brother moved to Orlando and that sealed the deal for me. I got my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UCF, I work at UCF, I live 3 miles from UCF so it’s safe to say that this is finally home!

2. What’s one small thing about UCF that still makes you smile?
The Reflecting Pond! I love seeing the students and families visiting during orientation, jumping in during Spirit Splash and then finally taking graduation pictures by the pond. To me, the Reflecting Pond is like an iconic monument that symbolizes UCF. Seeing a picture of that pond on the website was what made me apply to UCF as a student and I love walking past it every day and thinking about all the wonderful memories built there.

3. How does your work contribute to the success of our students, faculty, staff, or campus community?
I truly believe in the power of informal conflict resolution. It preserves relationships, is less stressful and provides more flexibility. An Ombuds Office offers individuals a confidential, safe space, where they can discuss concerns without fear, allowing honesty, introspection, and ethical decision-making to be a priority. We work with the individual bringing the concern by actively listening, exploring options and strategies, identifying resources and ultimately allowing the individual to assume control over how they react and respond to their conflict. There is immense value in being able to discuss a concern with an impartial person who can assist with breaking down a big issue into more manageable parts and then generate options depending on goals and interests. A major aspect of our work also involves identifying systemic trends and patterns that can be brought forward to leadership, while maintaining individual confidentiality. Over the years, the office has played a major role in influencing the design or re-design of various policies and procedures at UCF, by working in the background, sharing statistical information with leadership and advocating for fair processes.

4. If you could give one piece of advice to a new UCF employee, what would it be?
Identify a mentor that can assist them in their professional and personal development. UCF can feel large and complex, but this also brings access to many accomplished and admirable individuals. Keeping an open mind and remaining flexible are going to be key to finding success at UCF and having a mentor can assist with navigating the culture here.

5. What’s one thing you wish more people would know about the work you do?
The word Ombuds is still unknown to many people. It is often mistaken for an acronym, but it is actually a very old profession, rooted in Scandinavia. Today, this role is found globally in the public and private sectors. In Florida, there is statute that requires every state university to have a student ombuds, but our office serves the entire university community. The UCF Ombuds Office and staff are certified by the International Ombuds Association and the 2-person office prides itself on its responsiveness, concern for fairness, creativity, empathy and discretion. The only time that the office cannot maintain confidentiality is when there is a safety concern.