About Jaimie McGowan:
I was born and raised in Lincoln. I graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School, attended Nebraska Wesleyan University for one year and then transferred to UNL. I earned my bachelor’s degree in music education, but more importantly I was in the Cornhusker Marching Band! I’ve been married for 23 years, have two boys (Nick is 19 and Jack is 16), and a puggle named Sophie.
What is your position at UNL?
Executive support associate in the IANR vice chancellor's office
What drew you to UNL?
UNL has always been a part of my life in one way or another. I grew up just a few blocks from East Campus. I can't even remember my first visit to the Dairy Store! I graduated from UNL, and that cemented a lifelong connection. As for working here, my previous job in insurance was no longer fulfilling. The company was undergoing a lot of changes, and there were no longer outlets for creativity or individuality. I have a good friend who works at UNL, and employment here looked and sounded very attractive. This was the first job I applied for in my search to break away from corporate America.
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
While my job keeps me hopping all day long, there is still a laid back feeling to working here. There is also a sense of purpose to the work I do. While I only have contact with students on rare occasions, what I do impacts them. They are the future of our city, state, food and water sources, and are poised to impact the world. Knowing that I have played a part in that, even though it is through several degrees of separation, is rewarding.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement is my family.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
My actual age.
What is your life like outside of work?
Like most parents of teenagers, my life outside of work is very busy. My kids are involved in music and sports, so if I’m not at a concert or the sidelines of a playing field, I’m busy organizing and fundraising for the band boosters. I also play flute in the Lincoln Community Concert Band, and Coro di Flauti. It is a flute choir made up of local musicians who range from professional to enthusiast.