“Meet a Mountain Lion” is a series of stories introducing members of the UCCS community to campus. Meet Cynthia Norton, Hazardous Material Specialist at UCCS.
1. Tell us about your background, and what brought you to UCCS.
I started my career as a plant safety engineer for a semi-conductor manufacturing facility. After that I worked as an environmental consultant with a geo-engineering firm. While there, I worked with a variety of clients ranging from Miami International Airport to gun powder manufacturers to cigar plants and jet engine manufacturers in helping to ensure that their facilities were OSHA and EPA compliant. At that point, I took a break from the environmental world while I followed my husband on his 24 year Air Force career. I used my business degree and served as the Assistant Manager for clubs and restaurants for the Air Force in Germany and then as a Business Manager for a school district. Finally, when we moved to Colorado, I worked as an accountant for a company that builds ice plants and produce packaging lines. Finally, I was able to get back to my first love of environmental, health and safety when I started working at UCCS.
2. What do you do at UCCS?
It is my role at UCCS to make sure that we are operating safely and in compliance with state and federal environmental, health and safety regulations. On a daily basis, that means ensuring that we are handling biological agents and chemicals safely, and that all personnel and students are trained on proper safety precautions for the hazards they are working with on a daily basis. I also assist with our floor safety liaison program, continuity of operations planning and emergency response planning and execution.
3. What do you love about UCCS?
I love the variety of people I get to interact with on a regular basis. I love being around the students who keep me feeling young and energetic.
4. What are you working on right now?
Currently I am finishing up our annual safety training for lab operations. I am also working on our continuity of operations plans for departments across the campus.
5. What energizes you at your job?
The variety of my work keeps me energized and knowing that I am making a difference in individuals’ lives.
6. What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of?
I am proud of the relationship that we have with our local emergency response organizations. They know we are dedicated to providing a safe work environment and when an emergency does occur on campus they look to us as professionals who know our campus best.
7. What’s a goal you have for the future?
On a personal level, I would like to renew my professional certifications which lapsed while I was in Germany.
8. What do you do with your free time?
I love to garden. I am also very involved in both the children’s and women’s ministries at my church.
9. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
That people know I care about them on a personal level.
Do you know a Mountain Lion that UCCS should meet? We want to hear all about them! Invite them to share their story, and we’ll tell it to the UCCS community.