10-Second Bio: Meet Ianna Urquhart
April 9, 2018 •
Name: Ianna D. Urquhart
Title: Digital Communications Specialist
Department/Unit: Innovative Learning Technology Initiative
Location: Franklin Building
When I Started Working At UCOP: February 2018
What I Do For OP In Five Words Or Less: I put UC classes online.
The Best Part About Working For OP: I can help bring education to everyone in the great state of California.
Something You Don’t Know About Me: I moderate one of the largest online transgender support groups in the world. I’m transgender, and when I joined the /r/asktransgender sub on Reddit in 2011, it had about 2,000 subscribers. We’re now at almost 60,000 and the subscribers come from all over the world. It’s a place where people can feel safe to ask questions about their gender and explore a part of them that they might hide from the outside world for fear of judgement and ridicule. It’s not easy being trans, even in the most conducive of environments, and some people live under situations that are far from optimal for transition. We do our best to offer advice and support, from worried parents of gender non-conforming children, to older transitioners who are worried that they might have waited too long to transition (it’s never ever too late). It’s basically a full-time job after I get off work, it’s tiring, but so very, very rewarding.
One Weird Fact About The Town I Grew Up In: I grew up in Singapore, where chewing gum is banned.
If I Could Have Any Job In The World (Besides The One I Have Now), I Would Be: Batwoman. If you have a chance, always be Batwoman.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 10-Second Bio is one of Link’s most popular features, and for a good reason.
We all like to learn about our colleagues — what they do and enjoy about working at UCOP and what makes them tick. If you’ve never submitted a bio, we invite you to do so. It only takes a few minutes and it’s an easy, fun way for us all to get to know the people we work with.
Welcome to UCOP Ianna!
Thanks!