Jody Cochran

Staff Q & A

Hometown: Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Title: Human Resources Supervisor

Years of Service: 2016-Present

Education: Northeastern State University, History

How long have you been at the University of Arkansas in Student Affairs? What have you enjoyed most about your time here?

I have been with Student Affairs at the U of A for over 6 and a half years, in which all that time has been in the Arkansas Union. While in Student Affairs I’ve appreciated the opportunity to meet with others who want to help students grow, which is something I find to be a priority.

Tell us a little about your role in Student Affairs. What brings you joy in this role?

As the Human Resources Supervisor in the Arkansas Union, I am responsible for employee training and development, emergency management, and supervising the student workers at the Front and Information Desks. During this time, I’ve greatly enjoyed working with the student employees and helping them unlock the potential they didn’t know they had.

What is the greatest misconception people have about Student Affairs and how do you break that?

I’d say the greatest misconception about Student Affairs is that we all have advanced degrees and years of experience. Student Affairs at the University of Arkansas draws people from a wide array of backgrounds and skill levels, which in turns gives deeper perspective on our goals and operations.

What do you like to do with your time outside of the University?

When I’m not on campus I enjoy my woodworking hobby of making cutting boards and small furniture. I additionally like to smoke meats, read about history, collect antique shaving implements, and sample small batch whiskey and cigars.

What do you hope students and colleagues will remember about your interactions?

I hope that the students will remember the leadership opportunities they received and use them in all their future careers. I often have former student workers come back and say how thankful they were to learn real world skills in communication and human interactions which has helped them better adjust in their jobs after graduation. To me that is the greatest reward in this job.

Is there anything else you would like to add or let our readers know?

I would like to say that I enjoy the opportunity to learn new things and perspectives, and that Student Affairs has been a great source for that knowledge. If you too are interested in learning something new, Student Affairs will not disappoint!