NUCATS Profile: Katie Velez, Program Administrator CRPT
Katie Velez once asked a Parisian if they play video games.
Their reply? Wii.
As an avid pun and video game fanatic, Velez, Program Administrator CRPT at NUCATS’s Center for Education and Career development (CECD), is both mentally agile and forward-thinking. She enjoys using her creative witticisms as an avenue to connect with her coworkers.
“I fill out my Microsoft Teams status message with a new pun once a week because I hope it brightens someone’s day as it does mine when I view it,” Velez says.
In her current role overseeing research staff developmental programs, Velez is accustomed to being agile.
“In a typical day, I may facilitate a class session for Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) training, then review possible promotional items for our Enhancing Quality in the Translational Research Workforce (EQuaTR) Conference, and prepare all of the information from our new asynchronous CRC course. This is on top of answering any emails about our programs in CECD and making sure our users have the tools to be successful in the current programs I run.”
While some may deem these assorted responsibilities overwhelming, Velez values the prospect of mentorship assistance. The ability to help NUCATS staff achieve their career goals in clinical research excites her.
In a typical day, I may facilitate a class session for CRC training, then review possible promotional items for EQuaTR, and prepare all of the information from our new asynchronous CRC course.”
“Whether that’s reviewing objectives for our Clinical Research Coordinator Basic Training program, helping out other teams with their educational video needs, or finding the best way to spread the news about EQuaTR, I get to help make impactful changes that can help someone achieve their career goals at Northwestern.”
Communication has been central to Velez’s development. From pursuing theater improv as a student to working in production-relationship management at PayPal, Velez is keen on personal connections. Her professional background also demonstrates her independent strive — she often worked as a freelancer in project management and graphic design before joining NUCATS.
Now working toward her Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology from Western Illinois University, Velez cherishes the ability to blend her personal fascinations with career-oriented objectives. In grad school, she created a video game called “Selina’s Lost Letters,” based on her real-life cat named after Selina Kyle, Gotham City’s Catwoman.
It was also in grad school that Velez decided to re-enter the workforce; she accepted a content coordinator position at NUCATS within the CECD and received a Feinberg Service Excellence Award before her recent promotion to Program Administration CRPT.
Reflecting on her time as a Content Coordinator, Velez is most proud of her efforts to streamline website updates in a simplified manner.
“Previously, website updates were done by email, however, I found that it resulted in updates that were difficult to track and often had no documentation. I created a form that our team fills out and it informs me of new requests. This process keeps a record of requests and any uploaded documentation for the site in OneDrive. Updates are now handled more timely, with no guessing of what happened to a submitted request.”
Velez has lived in the Chicagoland area her entire life. Now residing in Niles, she is grateful to be in close proximity to some of her most-treasured establishments.
“I live by some of my favorite places: Half Price Books, Hello Tokyo, Michael’s, and Hobby Lobby. I’m also surrounded by so many different grocery stores within a 10-mile radius that I can find anything I need when cooking or baking. In other words, it offers me retail therapy.”
She concludes with a message for her coworkers with similar knacks for creativity.
“If you have any puns, dad jokes, or riddles, don’t be shy to share them with me. It can be a pun-on-pun exchange!”
Written by Alex Miranda
