In honor of student employee appreciation week (April 10-14), let’s get to know Payton — the youngest but longest Exam Services staff member.
Q: What do you do at eCampus?
A: As a student assistant at the UAF Testing Center, my main responsibility is to support the Testing Center Manager in administering exams and assessments to students, faculty, and community members. Specifically, my duties include greeting and checking in test takers, monitoring exam sessions, answering general inquiries about testing policies and procedures and assisting with test preparation and setup. I also provide technical support to test takers who experience issues with the testing software or equipment.
Q: How do you work with students or how does your work impact students?
A: I work directly with students daily to ensure they have a positive and stress-free testing experience. By greeting and checking in test takers, verifying their identification, and answering any questions they may have about the testing process, I aim to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all students.
Q: How can students connect with you?
A: Students can email the UAF testing center email at uaf-testing@alaska.edu.
Q: What do you like about working at UAF eCampus?
A: Aside from having great coworkers and a great work environment, my favorite thing has been how understanding my bosses have been with my classes and the time I can work. As of now, I am majoring in Secondary Education and English with a minor in History so the workload has been pretty heavy at times and my bosses have wholeheartedly understood this and let me work reduced hours to give me that extra time to study and do homework.
Q: How do you enjoy your alone time?
A: A big part of my life right now is going to the gym. For over a year and five months now, I’ve consistently hit the gym and as a result, I’ve lost an impressive 40 pounds. Additionally, I achieved a major personal goal of bench pressing 225 pounds, which was a significant accomplishment for me. Staying committed to my fitness goals has not only helped me physically, but has also given me a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and drive that carries over into other areas of my life.
Q: What’s your favorite phone app?
A: At the moment, my go-to app is Tik Tok – I find myself spending a lot of time on it lately. Surprisingly, I’ve actually discovered some trustworthy fitness influencers on Tik Tok who have helped me develop a deeper understanding of working out different muscle groups and the most effective ways to train them. Thanks to Tik Tok, I’ve gained valuable insights and knowledge about fitness that I might not have come across otherwise.
Q: Do you have a favorite movie?
A: If I had to pick a favorite movie, I would definitely choose This is The End. One of the things that makes it stand out to me is the unique way it represents the actors – it’s seamlessly integrated into the plot in a way that I haven’t seen in any other movie. Additionally, the humor in the movie is spot-on and aligns perfectly with what I find funny. Overall, I love how This is The End combines great comedic timing with a fresh take on the genre, making it a movie that I could watch over and over again.
