Name: Tyler Hansen

Position: Marketing writer/public information representative, OSU Extended Campus

Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.

# of years at OSU: 1 year 3 months

Best part of your job: I get to work with countless interesting people across campus and around the world. My role puts me in touch with OSU distance students who often endure a great deal in order to earn an education, and they are a constant source of inspiration. Being able to help share their stories is a privilege.

Something someone might be surprised to know about you: I taught journalism at Tucson High School before moving to Oregon. On my first day as a teacher, a student came up to me and said, “Aren’t you in my brother’s chemistry class?”

Favorite book/movie/album: My favorite movie is “Good Will Hunting,” probably because it reminds me of my childhood when I was underappreciated for my unparalleled genius. That’s followed closely by “Do the Right Thing,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and “Fletch.”

Name: Karen Zimmermann

Position: Communications Support Specialist/Digital Asset Manager, EESC

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

# of years at OSU: 8

Best part of your job: One project in particular that I’m enjoying being a part of is EESC’s photo archiving effort. Being a technophile, I love working in a technology-rich environment with creative people.Not only are my department colleagues creatively gifted, but Extension, as a whole, develops such creative solutions to local problems.

Something someone might be surprised to know about you: Many people are surprised at some of my former jobs. Some are surprised that I was a state trooper, while others are surprised I was a professional opera singer (comic opera), and some are surprised I did musical comedy WHILE I was a state trooper. (Though, my backgrounds in food science and photography are more helpful in my current job.)

Favorite book/movie/album: How ’bout hobby?: Motorcycling. I love motorcycling in Oregon! Album? No particular album, but I love to blast opera or show tunes while riding my motorcycle. It keeps people from stereotyping and makes them smile.

Name: Alejandro Gonzalez

Position: PROMISE Intern, Linn County Extension Office

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Best part of your job: I believe that the best part of my job is traveling. This summer one of the projects that I’m working on is VEGNET, a regional pest population monitoring and reporting network for Willamette Valley growers of vegetables for processing. Since most of the insect traps are located in different towns we have drive several hours a week to go check them. Besides that, meeting new people and making connections is another great part of my job.

Something someone might be surprised to know about you: I’m guessing my background can surprise some of the people that already know me, and it can shock someone that don’t really know me. I never noticed or pay too much attention how dangerous my town was until I moved out of there. It is said that the place where I lived, was and still is the second most dangerous places in Mexico City. I grew up in an atmosphere full of violence, but like I said this never caught my attention until I came here to live in the United States.

Favorite book/movie/album: Movies: Gladiator, Into the Wild; Book: El caballero de la Armadura Oxidada; Album: Torches by Foster the People