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Meet the Staff

Each month we will be highlighting one of our staff members, after all, they lead exciting lives too! Check back monthly for the inside scoop.

Name:

Chris Partridge

Title:

Coordinator, Student Engagement

Contact:

cpartridge@unr.edu

What you do at the University to help students:

I supervise ASUN Campus Escort, Sound & Lights, Front Desk and Food Pantry and employ 50+ student employees in those services. I also help in creating employee trainings and workshops for all student employees in ASUN.

What your family thinks you do at the University:

I think they know more than they would like to, because I talk about it all the time.

You have degree(s) in:

B.A. in History

What is a fun fact about you?

I study Chinese and plan to study in China in the future. I also love sports, motorcycles and 1980s action movies.

Favorite place you have traveled?

Baltimore, Maryland

What are you addicted to?

Sugar. I will eat anything sweet - the other day, I found a restaurant that serves Snickers pancakes bigger than my head. I should probably go on a diet…

Ideal escape from the University?

At home, sitting next to the fireplace with a good movie and a pizza.

Favorite cupcake?

Red Velvet…Although I have never had a cupcake I didn’t like.

Favorite quote?

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

If you had one wish what would it be?

I would wish for everyone else in the world to get one wish of their own. If I were to get a second wish…Maybe the Bills could finally win the Super Bowl?

Name:

Cynthia Esparza

Title:

Assistant Director, Student Engagement

Contact:

cesparza@unr.edu

What you do at the University to help students:

I advise clubs and organizations with their event planning and risk management details and foster student leadership development that contributes to creating a vibrant, safe and engaging campus community.

What your family thinks you do at the University:

My family believes I plan events, attend a lot of meetings and know everything and everyone on campus. Little do they know what my day-to-day duties actually consists of.

You have degree(s) in:

B.A. Political Science, B.A. Women's Studies. M.A. in Education in progress.

What is a fun fact about you?

I speak 3 languages: English, Spanish and Italian. I would like to conquer all romantic languages one day.

Favorite place you have traveled?

I've been fortunate to travel to many countries but nothing compares to Italy. I absolutely love the language, culture, history, and of course, the cuisine.

What are you addicted to?

Buying heels and trying recipes I see on Pinterest or the Food Network. One makes me happy, the other makes my family and friends happy.

Ideal escape from the University?

Any getaway. Whether it's over the hill to San Francisco or a trip overseas, traveling is always an ideal escape and my favorite thing to do.

Favorite cupcake?

Red velvet with cream cheese frosting. Classic and delicious!

Favorite quote?

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

If you had one wish what would it be?

My one wish would be to find a cure to Juvenile Diabetes. My family and I do the JDRF walks every year and are committed to raising funds to find a cure.

Name:

Amy Koeckes

Title:

Associate Director, Student Engagement

Contact:

amyk@unr.edu

What you do at the University to help students:

I supervise two full time staff members, two graduate assistants and work with over 50 students on a weekly basis. I work with the Student Employee Development program, ASUN scholarships, supervise the marketing area (Inkblot), supervise Sagebrush Advertising, work with data & assessment and often update the ASUN Facebook/Twitter accounts with important information from ASUN.

What your family thinks you do at the University:

Often they think I am a teacher and that I just go to work to have fun at events.

You have degree(s) in:

Bachelor of Art in Fine Arts with a minor in Journalism and Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. Both from the University of Nevada, Reno

What is a fun fact about you?

I was born and raised in Fallon, Nevada. Go Greenwave!

Favorite place you have traveled?

Outside of the United States: Costa Rica and Rome
Inside the United States: Burning Man

What are you addicted to?

My iPhone.

Ideal escape from the University?

Lake Tahoe. It is so close and so beautiful, one day I want to own a cabin in this area.

Favorite cupcake?

Right now, anything with pumpkin in it.

Favorite quote?

"Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning"
- Albert Einstein

If you had one wish what would it be?

That I could travel to everyplace in the world!

Name:

Nicholas Blevins

Title:

Coordinator, Student Engagement

Contact:

blevinsn@unr.edu

What you do at the University to help students:

I challenge the three ASUN programming boards to develop programs that meet the needs of our students at NEVADA.

What your family thinks you do at the University:

My family thinks I plan concerts and speakers, but the truth is that students plan all of these events.

You have degree(s) in:

B.A. in Political Science and working on a M.A. in Education

What is a fun fact about you?

I'm slightly obsessed with the color green and I also do not have a Facebook.

Favorite place you have traveled?

To infinity and beyond....it was a dream.

What are you addicted to?

I'm addicted to collecting original Disney VHSs

Ideal escape from the University?

I would love to travel the world and experience local life in different countries, nothing too extravagant.

Favorite cupcake?

Red Velvet Cupcakes....or maybe Carrot Cake Cupcakes....it's a tossup.

Favorite quote?

"The most fantastic, magical things can happen, and it all starts with a wish." -Jiminy Cricket

If you had one wish what would it be?

If I could wish upon a star, I would wish for everyone to be able to have the opportunity and support system to get an education and have the chance to achieve their dreams.