Angela Reggans, labor relations specialist for Staff Human Resources, has worked at the UI since 2001.
Reggans grew up Chicago, the fifth of eight children. She attended Whitney Young High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Illinois in 1995.
After returning to school and earning a master’s degree in labor and industrial relations in 2001, Reggans joined the university as a personnel officer II for Staff Human Resources. She worked briefly for the department of civil and environmental engineering before assuming her current position in 2004.
Reggans and her 8-year-old son, Andre, live in Champaign.
WHAT DO YOU DO ON THE JOB?
My job applies specifically to civil service employees. I coordinate the Performance Partnership Program, which is a performance-management system that emphasizes good performance and helps employees commit to improving attendance, conduct or other problems.
In addition to my work with the program, I advise and assist departments and employees with questions about university policy and the collective bargaining agreements. I also conduct labor-related training programs on campus, oversee disciplinary hearings, hear grievances from employees and also serve as a chief negotiator for the university.
I coordinate a few other programs, including the civil service elections.
WHAT’S YOUR TYPICAL DAY LIKE?
There’s really not a typical day-in-the-life for a labor relations person, simply because you never know what you’re going to get or what kind of situation will arise in the workplace. We’re available all day to answer phone calls and respond to e-mails about labor-related situations for civil service employees.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I get to meet so many people all across the campus – that’s the aspect of my job that’s the most fun. I also really enjoy my co-workers at Staff Human Resources as well as labor and employee relations (within SHR). But most importantly, we get to help people. That’s definitely the best part of the job.
WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF YOUR JOB?
The hardest part is that it can become intense at times. I love my job, and I don’t hear a lot of people say that, maybe because I deal in problems all day, but I feel very lucky to be where I am.
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE STRESS OF YOUR JOB?
I enjoy spending time with my son, and I have a large extended family, so I’m always traveling to Chicago to visit them. I have a group of girlfriends who are like my second family. We always try to get together to do fun things.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OFF THE JOB?
I’m an avid solver of Sudoku puzzles. They keep me up at night. I always keep saying to myself, “One more puzzle!” And then 10 puzzles later. … (Laughs.)
I love seeing movies on the big-screen. I also like to write. Reading and writing are two of my favorite things to do. I keep a journal where I like to write down my thoughts.
I also love traveling. I’ve been to Florida, Texas, Las Vegas and I just want to keep adding to that list. I have to see the Eiffel Tower. That’s my ultimate dream.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT SO FAR?
Visiting Disney World in Orlando. I cried. (Laughs.) Coming in the gates, seeing everything, including the castle, I was smiling and laughing because I couldn’t believe I was crying. It was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU LIKE TO WRITE. WHAT DO YOU WRITE ABOUT?
I’m really into personal development. I do a lot of reading in that genre, and one day I hope to publish a book of my own. I aspire to inspire people. Growing up poor in Chicago, one of eight children, and overcoming it to be where I am today – I’d like to share that part of my life with other people.