HEUG Famous: Dede Young Interview

Where do you work? How long have you been there?

I work at Northern Illinois University, in the Registrar’s Office (AKA Registration and Records/R&R).  I started in early 1996 as a Typing Clerk III in the Transcripts section of the office. I moved to Student Data Services a couple years later and left that position in December 2000, shortly before my second daughter’s arrival, to stay home with my kids.  I “kept my foot in the door” during my time at home, doing extra help data entry, or things that others either didn’t want to do or didn’t have time to do, with the intention of returning to R&R once my girls were old enough.  In early 2007, during our PeopleSoft implementation, I returned to the same position as extra help, as the position had become vacant.  I returned full time in fall 2007 and have now been here for 22 years.

Are you working on-site, remotely, or hybrid?  What has that experience been like for you?

I work in the office four days a week when I remember that I am supposed to work from home on Thursdays.  Often, I have so many things going on at the end of the day on Wednesday, and so many programs and windows open on my three monitors, that I don’t want to shut down my computer and deal with all those things on a single laptop monitor at home.  Or I just forget altogether until someone asks me in the parking lot, “Are you working from home tomorrow?”  Well, no I am not, because I left my laptop in the office.  But to answer the question, I like being in the office as it provides a distinct separation between work and home but am happy to have the opportunity to work from home, should the need arise (or when I remember that my work from home day is Thursday).

What Student or ERP system do you work in, and what modules do you primarily work with?

We use PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, FMS, and HRS.  I live primarily in the SIS, working with student records, curriculum, academic requirements, reporting, row-level security, term setup processes (term activation, appointments, etc.), end of term processes (PERC, acad standing, repeats, etc.), CommGen, test & transfer components, NSC reporting and error correction, and just overall student records and campus solutions troubleshooting.  I also test and implement new functionality, where appropriate.

When did you get involved with HEUG?  How did that happen?

My former colleague and supervisor nominated me for the Reporting advisory group.  Shortly after being elected, Reporting merged with Technical.  My involvement grew from there and it has been an invaluable experience.  As my job duties increase, I feel that I am not able to give as much as I’d like to the HEUG, but I’m not going anywhere anytime soon!

In what capacities have you been involved with HEUG?

I served two terms in the Technical and Reporting Advisory Group, now known as the Connected Campus Community of Practice.  I have presented at every Alliance and MIDHEUG, CARHEUG, and HEUGUM regional conference between 2012 and 2024 (except 2021-I just didn’t have it in me that year), as well as presented several webinars, served in the recent Advisory Group Taskforce, served as part of the MIDHEUG/HEUG Central conference committee a few times over the years, and was recently involved in developing the HEUG Query Education Series with two wonderful and brilliant colleagues in other parts of the U.S., Paula McDaniel (WA) and Jamie Polizzi (TX).

Do you have a favorite or meaningful story regarding your time in HEUG?  

I have a story that is neither my favorite nor meaningful, but I do find it humorous, in retrospect.  The Alliance conference during my second year as part of the TRAG was in Florida, at Disney (2019).  This was when the AGs still had the  pre-conference Summit.  The TRAG, as a group, went out to eat at what was then called Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs I think?), at a Brazilian restaurant.  My specific piece of salmon (another member had the same thing and experienced no issues) was not up to snuff…I ended up with food poisoning, which took me out for the majority of the conference up until the final day, thank goodness.  I had three back-to-back presentations that day, including an end-of-conference workshop (5+ hours!)!

What has been your favorite Conference location? Why? 

I’d have to say it is a tie between Nashville and Seattle.  Nashville, at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel twice was just amazing.  I actually attended a different work-related conference there as well.  The hotel/resort was fantastic, it was a great time.  Also, my first HEUG Alliance conference, a whole crew of us NIU folks attended.  Seattle is beautiful, I have family in the area, but a lot of uphill walking.  North and West seem to be all uphill…not a good time to wear your brand-new Doc Martens.

My least favorite would be Las Vegas…I lose too much money…

What is your first HEUG related memory?

The memory I want to share isn’t so much my first HEUG-related memory, but my first AG-related memory.  The CoP-formerly-known-as-the-TRAG used to meet with Oracle reps each January-ish at the Oracle offices in Pleasanton, California.  My first time meeting the TRAG members was at that time in January 2018.  I was not the only new member, which was a relief.  It was new for everyone, as the TAG and Reporting AG had just merged, and I remember feeling a little out of place with all of these super smart technical people, but they were all so welcoming and made us newbies feel comfortable and included.  I *may have* accidentally taken one of the Oracle visitor badges back to Illinois with me…

What is YOUR value proposition for HEUG?

What does the HEUG mean to me?  So much. I’ve found my people with the HEUG.  If I had not been urged to submit a proposal for Alliance 2012 (along with several of my coworkers), had that proposal accepted (no one else did), and stood up in the front of that large room, terrified, and presented “PeopleSoft Queries – Subqueries”, I’d have never known how much I enjoy presenting and being involved.  For me, the HEUG provided me with the opportunity to expand my skills, knowledge, and friendships with so many people involved with the HEUG.  I am grateful for the opportunities my involvement with the HEUG has provided, which makes me want to give back.  That, and I can’t say no…

Do you have a work-related philosophy you would like to share?

Better to do it right than to do it fast.  If you can do both, great, but if not, focus on “right”.  It is better to apologize for being late than for being wrong.  I also believe in building relationships.  You may not agree with that office admin, faculty member, or advisor, but you will be working with that person, so it is best to have a solid working relationship.  There may come a time you need their help on something!

What new app/technology/platform is intriguing to you right now? 

We are implementing Modern Campus at NIU for curriculum proposals.  It also provides integration with PeopleSoft for course curricular changes.  It has been a positive testing experience and I am excited, in the way you get excited about work stuff, to see it in action.