Keitha Ann Hatfield (or Anna to most of us) wears many hats at the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors. Part receptionist, office manager, communications and engagement specialist, as well as student associate supervisor, her unique first name ‘Keitha’ means ‘forest’ in Scottish/Gaelic. Between this unique moniker and her natural capacity to multitask, if a tree falls in the woods, Anna most certainly hears it.
I imagine finding a “Keitha” name tag at Disney World ain’t easy. How did you come by such a unique name?
I am named after my father, Keith. Keitha is Scottish/Gaelic and means forest. I am part Scottish and part Germanic heritage. I speak German.
Describe your typical day at work at UT Austin.
I split my time roughly into three roles:
A third of my time is spent working at our reception, greeting visitors, maintaining office management spaces such as the reception area, as well as ensuring office supplies, mail and other facilities are always available to our team members.
You also wear a number of different hats depending on what’s needed correct?
I also provide communications and engagement support for key duties such as scheduling and maintaining conference room calendars, technology, refreshments, parking and transportation, team culture activities, managing group emails, collecting content, and preparing and disseminating the monthly Research Development newsletter.
I would categorize my third role as an administrative support. We have a steady flow of student associates working in OVPR who need guidance at first and then someone (like myself) to keep track of their tasks, and submitting weekly timesheets.
“The thing that really touched me was that we hold space for interdisciplinary collaboration and discourse, in addition to funding assistance. This is the only way that we will be able to address complicated, interconnected issues.”
Have you worked elsewhere at UT before? Please tell us about it. Describe your education.
I have never worked at UT before this position. However, I did get my BBS in international business and marketing in 1991 from the business school before it was McCombs. My previous position was at a Round Rock sensor manufacturing company in nuclear sales support.
Why did you choose to work at UT/OVPR?
Life takes you to unexpected places; love brings you home. The University of Texas is home. The core missions of a university are teaching and research. I value both of these. During my interview with OVPR, when they were describing what we do, the thing that really touched me was that we hold space for interdisciplinary collaboration and discourse, in addition to funding assistance. This is the only way that we will be able to address complicated, interconnected issues.
Where did you grow up? Where did you live before this? How did you end up in Texas?
I grew up just north of Waco, Texas in a small town called Aquilla. I have lived in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and North Dakota as my father was in the oil business.
Despite moving around so much, Texas is definitely still home. Why is that?
The Hatfield family has a home on 600 acres of land on the Brazos River that has been in the family for 150 years. And, my mother was the first female county judge in Hill County (Hillsboro, Texas).
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
The people – both the staff and students. I love playing my part in working to create a supportive team culture. I am so grateful for the many relationships that I have been blessed to develop. You would be surprised how much one can learn and be influenced by the perspectives of our student associates.
What do you like to do for fun?
Reading, travel, swimming/scuba diving. I swam with the Dolphins at Xelha, an ecological park near Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.