Meet the Alumni Staff

Tiffany has been very busy for the past decade improving her work experience and knowledge of various industries. While studying at USQ, Tiffany held several jobs, mainly in the hospitality and wedding industries. Throughout these experiences, Tiffany developed a passion for sponsorship and fundraising, eventually working for the Queensland Cancer Council’s Relay for Life. While working for the Cancer Council, Tiffany also tutored students studying Marketing at USQ. Her experience in these fields led to a full-time job at USQ as an Advancement Officer (Fundraising). Since then, Tiffany has been promoted to the role of Alumni & Advancement Manager. She manages our team very well with the needs of our Alumni at the forefront. 

What we know about Tiffany:
• Tiffany has a talent for: getting lost when driving, anywhere.
• Favourite saying: I can eat an elephant if I take small enough bites.
• Greatest achievement (at work): revitalising the Alumni network.
• Favourite music to inspire work: Florence & the Machine and Temper Trap.
• Favourite bit of technology: the electric light bulb, try living without it.
• The image that reminds her of USQ is: ivy growing up the red brick walls of the refectory
• The country that she would most like to visit is: she doesn't want to pick just one but if you twisted her arm, she would say Hong Kong and China, for starters anyway.
• In life it’s important to: stop, take a deep breath and ask yourself, "does it really matter… "
• If Tiffany had to live in one moment forever it would be: sitting at the dinner table on family dinner night and watching her kids muck up.
• USQ in a memory: Tiffany remembers her graduation day fondly and her mum ‘whoo-hooing’ exceptionally loudly.  

Christie has worked within many mediums, industries, states and countries utilising her strong communication skills developed throughout university studies and different work environments.  Her work history incorporates various roles as Head of Media Studies in Secondary Schools in Queensland and Victoria as well as overseas in London.  After years working in Education, Christie merged into the wonderful world of radio.  She hosted her own breakfast radio show in Western Australia and then day time radio and promotions in New South Wales.  Late last year, Christie returned to her home town of Toowoomba to work in Communications for the Office of External Relations.

What we know about Christie:
• Christie has a talent for: seeing the good in people, the positives in life and has a love for new adventures and experiences.
• Her favourite saying is: aim for the stars and at least then you will land on the trees but if you only aim for the trees, then you may never get off the ground.
• The Invention that she would like to see created: “Groundhog Day” – An invention that can freeze time and allow you to play out a scenario and see what happens. If the scenario doesn’t go according to plan, you can try another option starting from the moment it was frozen.
• The image that reminds Christie of USQ is: the international flags that sway in the breeze at the entrance to the USQ Toowoomba campus reflecting all of the lives from around the globe that USQ and education has impacted.
• This year, Christie hopes to: find more Alumni to communicate with, learn about the lives of Alumni after graduation, develop the Alumni website and create a more interactive and relevant Alumni e-newsletter.

Gina has a vast experience working in communications, especially with international relations. She has worked with a number of well-known International and Australian companies including; Singapore Airlines, Telstra, Transfield Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, Agilent Technologies China and USQ since she graduated from University. In the Alumni Office, Gina communicates with International Chapter Chairs and committee members to build Chapters, assists with networking events and ensures that International Alumni stay in touch with USQ. Gina also liaises with USQ staff to identify opportunities for staff to host or attend an international alumni function as part of the USQ’s Staff Alumni Ambassador Program.

What we know about Gina:
• Gina has a talent for: communicating and making people feel welcome, listening to them and improving their day with a smile.
• This year, Gina hopes to: learn more about our International alumni and establish more international chapters while continuing to see existing chapters flourish.
• Gina is looking forward to: visiting her parents in Beijing during the Chinese New Year and whenever time allows. 
• The country she would most like to visit is: Singapore as she spent three and a half years living and working there.
• USQ in a memory: Gina sees USQ as a place with so many talented and friendly people in one area.

Codie has been working hard since graduating from high school in 2004.  After graduation, she spent one year studying at TAFE and five years in total working in the hospitality industry in restaurants and events. After these experiences, Codie realised that she had a passion for events and marketing and commenced her Bachelor of Business degree at USQ in 2009.  At this time, she was also a Student Ambassador for USQ. In 2010, Codie was offered a full time position in the USQ Marketing Department and later transferred to her current position in the Office of External Relations at the beginning of 2011.

What we know about Codie:
• Codie has a talent for: remembering random numbers like phone numbers or anything with patterns, she usually wins a game of memory.
• Her greatest achievement/s at work so far: successful USQ events; Alumni in the Park, Alumnus of the Year and the Malaysian Alumni Chapter launch (mainly because it was a huge challenge to organise an International event in the first month of her role.)
• Codie is looking forward to: her graduation day in 2013 (fingers crossed she said....)
• To make the world a brighter place: Codie hopes that every person in the world would find someone to share their life with whether that be a partner or a friend.
• This year, Codie hopes to organise for the Alumni: more events that will foster further connections and networking within the Alumni network.