Employee Spotlight Jessica McClure

Describe what you do at ITS in one sentence.
I serve as the Marketing and Production Coordinator, handling a little bit of everything, from engagement with the university community and outreach with the local K-12 community to logistics for ITS events and managing newsletters.

Name something about the work you or your team does that you are most proud of.
I work with the best team! We work hard to ensure  UK ITS has its best foot forward and that the university is not only educated on current and new technologies but also aware of outages and other important information. I am most proud of our engagement with STEM in K-12, as I love to engage with kids and show them that tech is cool and exciting and that there is more to it than Minecraft. Additionally, I am super proud of our new Women in Tech initiative. Our Women in Tech initiative unites talented women from diverse IT and technology fields, celebrating their contributions and empowering future generations. We aim to break down barriers, amplify women’s voices, and foster collaboration. Women in Tech champions gender diversity in tech, inviting all genders to join us in empowering women to thrive, share their expertise, and shape the future of IT.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, my family and friends are the most important things in my life, followed closely by my love for Disney, Star Wars, and Irish dance. I dance with the Bluegrass Ceili Academy here in Lexington, a community-based program affiliated with Lexington Parks and Rec. Our school has the distinction of being the inaugural National Champions for the Adult 4-hand competition, which is a major accomplishment.

Best advice you ever received?
The best advice I ever received was, "In all things, be kind. Kind to others and to yourself." It's a simple yet profound reminder to practice kindness in every aspect of life.