This month’s staff member in the spotlight is Stefano Fiorini, Lead Research Management Analyst with Bloomington Assessment and Research (BAR). We asked him a few questions and here’s what he had to say:
What is your name and what do you do; how long have you worked here in OVPUE?
My name is Stefano Fiorini and I am a Research Data Analyst with Bloomington Assessment and Research. I work with our IU community (students, faculty and staff), and collaborate with other universities, to answer questions that help our students realize their educational goals. I have been working in this area for twelve years now, with OVPUE for about eight years.
What three traits define you?
I strive to look at things from all sides, without jumping to conclusions and staying open to changing my mind based on evidence and experiences. I am creative and like to find solutions to complex problems to streamline work and life – and I like to have a plan B ready in case things don’t work out the way I imagined them. Finally, I love learning new things, it expands my mind and nurtures my curiosity.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
Not sure…maybe I would go back to my previous career and apply my research skills to help address the challenges posed by our impacts on the environment and the climate. I also liked sharing and exchanging ideas in the classroom when I was teaching for the international studies program – a lot of learning occurs while teaching!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I would like to be able to take a bicycle apart and put it together…in a way that it works, of course.
What challenging thing has happened (to) for you, and what did you gain from it?
The Pandemic is the freshest challenge I, and perhaps most of us, have experienced. During this hard time I gained the realization that hard challenges can bring out the best in people. And I have also got proof that I have been gifted the opportunity to work with exceptional people every day (apologies if this can sound a bit cheesy, but it is the truth).
How do you define success?
Having been your best.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to run trails around Bloomington, go on bicycle rides and read mystery books.
What is a favorite book, movie, and/or tv show that had an impact on you?
I am not sure I can pick one, we are in constant evolution and at different times movies or books impacted me. I like foreign tv shows and movies, they give insights into other cultures and ways of life.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
My dream vacation would be to go see and sit among the great sequoias.
What is your favorite thing about working at OVPUE?
My colleagues!
Fun Fact: The most people to fit in an original Fiat 500 is 14!
For us, Stefano, you are one of those exceptional people we get to work with every day!
Stefano, you look like a giant when standing by that Fiat 🙂