HEUG Famous: Cheri McEntee Interview

Some people find HEUG. Cheri McEntee helped build it. A Board Member, Syracuse University veteran of over 31 years, and a familiar face at nearly every HEUG conference since before the organization even had its name, Cheri represents the very best of what this community has to offer.

Her journey with HEUG began in the mid-1990s, back when the entire group could fit in a single room in Dallas and everyone knew everyone by name. Since those early days, she has taken on roles as a founding member of the Project and Change Management Community of Practice, served as Program Chair (twice, thanks to the pandemic), Conference Chair, Past Chair, and now sits as an elected HEUG Board Member in her second term, including a seat on the Executive Board.

This quarter, we are thrilled to shine the spotlight on Cheri and give her the chance to share her story, including the work philosophy she now passes on to her own children and what has kept her passionate about this community for decades.

Grab a cup of coffee and read on, because this is one spotlight you will not want to skim.

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

I work at Syracuse University where I have been for over 31 years. I have served several roles over the years. I started out as a desktop support and training consultant. I moved over to lead functional business analyst in Financial Aid for the implementation of PeopleSoft. I progressed in this role to become the functional lead for all PeopleSoft upgrades including, CS, HCM, FIN and Portal. I then managed the analysts in several different areas including Admissions, Financial Aid and Student Records. My role expanded to include managing all CS developers. I made a move a few years ago over to ITS and now oversee all development work for CS, HCM, FIN and Portal. I am the lead for development and functional areas during all PeopleTools upgrades. And to think I never even applied for the job back in 1995.

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

I currently work remotely and have been since Covid. I enjoy working remotely. I find I am more productive and focused. My teams also found they were more focused and productive. I find being remote works smoothly with established mature teams. It is a challenge to keep newer team members engaged and requires more management time but for the most part, the work is done and the teams communicate well. Most of ITS at Syracuse work remotely so I find it is a pretty level playing field. But you do have to speak up and ask questions.

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

We are a PeopleSoft shop. I have worked with all areas but my strength is in Student. My strength is finding connections between systems and identifying when additional areas need to be pulled in to develop the best solution and always asking questions.

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

Well, I was involved with HEUG before it was HEUG. We heard about this group that was meeting in Dallas; I think the first gathering I went to was in 1996 or 1997. I pushed to attend as it was a group getting together to talk about the challenges of implementing a new system with Y2k hanging over our heads. We originally were supposed to go with TRG but that was vaporware, so we quickly had to shift to PeopleSoft. Because of this, we were not one of the original beta schools. I loved the early days. When we all fit in a room and you knew everyone and they knew you. I made so many connections in those days. I was supposed to be on the first Financial Aid PAG with Oracle but had to bow out due to pregnancy.

In what capacities have you been involved with HEUG?

I have served in several roles and have been a vocal advocate with the organization. I have attended all HEUG conferences except two and one of those were before HEUG was HEUG. My first official role I took on was serving as a founding member of the Project and Change Management COP. I served for two terms before moving into the Jr. Conference Assistant role on the Alliance Planning team. From there I moved through the roles of Program Chair, Conference Chair and the Past Chair. Because of Covid I served as Program Chair for 2 years. I then was appointed to the board for one year and then elected for two terms. I am currently in my second term. I also sit on the Executive Board. So, I have really been able to see how all the sausage is made.

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

People who know me would not find this out of character for me. We were implementing PS and the Loan Module was a big issue for Financial Aid. So, we decided to attend the PeopleSoft conference in San Francisco. I heard that James Madison was in attendance and they were one of schools leading the way with the loan module. So in this sea of people, I see a name tag with James Madison on it. Yes, my eyes were much better back then. Anyways, I grabbed my boss and followed the person. It turns out I followed them into the ladies room.

What has been your favorite conference location? Why?

That is a hard one since I have been to almost all. I loved the early Dallas days because you knew everyone and it was so easy to connect. But among the true HEUG conferences, I have to say Seattle. HEUG visited Seattle twice, once for one of the largest conferences drawing close to 4,000 attendees, and once for one of the smallest. It was that smaller conference where I served as Conference Chair, and I loved that time.

What is your first HEUG related memory?

The people and how nice they were. So, I was new to traveling and not sure what I could expense. When I arrived at the Dallas airport, I saw ladies with sweatshirts on from a mid-west college, I can’t remember exactly which one but I asked if they were going to the conference and if we could share a ride. It was a wonderful conversation and I had met people before I even reached the conference. I felt like I belonged.

What is YOUR value proposition for HEUG?

I have found that I have always been able to get unvarnished experiences from the members of HEUG. The number of people who are just willing to share their experiences good, bad and ugly is incredible. People who will jump in and help you brainstorm, sharing code and queries and just letting you know you are not alone. It is a place where you can gain a new and different perspective to a challenge you are facing.

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

I talk to my adult children about these types of things. You need to find a place where you can be yourself. Not every work environment is the right fit. A good supervisor is worth much more than money as they can help you grow your career and not just manage your daily tasks. I would not be where I am without great supervisors over the years. They let me be myself but provided guidance that helped me understand where I needed to grow. Don’t be afraid to move on from a bad fit but you must be able to step back when you are faced with a challenge and ask what I could have done differently that would have improved the outcomes. You have limited control over others, so I feel leading by example is important. I say what I mean and it applies to myself as well as my colleagues. Well, it is painful you can learn more from hard challenges and poor outcomes then when things go smoothly but only if you choose to reflect and apply these changes moving forward.

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

I would say the standard of AI. I am interested in how schools are tackling managing the power of AI with ethics. It is a great tool but it still has a long way to go. I struggle with how to provide the correct amount of access to users but still make sure they have enough to get an accurate answer without having too much access.

Cheri, on behalf of the entire HEUG community, thank you sincerely and wholeheartedly. Thank you for showing up before HEUG was HEUG, for building connections when it was small enough to fit in one room, and for continuing to pour that same energy into the organization as it has grown into what it is today. Your willingness to serve, advocate, and share openly is a model for all of us.

Most of all, thank you for participating in this spotlight and for bringing your trademark passion, candor, and expertise to everything you do for this community. HEUG is richer for having you in it, and so are the countless members who have benefited from your guidance, your generosity, and your dedication over the years. We are grateful for you, Cheri, and we look forward to everything still to come.

Want to connect with Cheri? Visit her HEUG profile or connect with her on LinkedIn.