As a fixture in Human Resources for nearly two dozen years, Jennifer Blessing is intimately familiar with many of the 780 employees at Union.

“Being in HR has been an honor for me,” said Blessing, senior director of benefits and HR systems. “I have met so many people and watched families grow over that time, including my own. Being able to connect with the employees has been a highlight. It makes me feel good when I walk around campus and folks say hi, and we chat about what is going on in our lives.”

For Blessing, the most challenging part of her job is balancing the many competing priorities. During the recent rollout of Workday, the cloud-based software that is a one-stop hub for employee services such as reviewing pay information, requesting reimbursement for work-related travel or expenditures, and viewing vacation and sick time, Blessing had to review endless data to make sure employee information was accurate.

“My time at the College helped with this process since I could spot issues based on my knowledge of the employees,” she said.

New York is the fifth state Blessing has lived in. She spent her childhood in Montana and North Dakota after brief periods in Maryland and Virginia. She attended Cottey College, a private women’s college in Nevada, Mo.

When she is not explaining benefits to an employee or navigating the nuances of Workday, Blessing enjoys her family farm in Princetown, about nine miles from campus. She lives there with her husband, Wes, and daughter, Anna. Her son Colin ’19 and his family live across the street.

The “gentleman’s farm” has roughly 20 chickens and two horses. The biggest part of the farm is its hay operation. During an average year, the family will bale 15,000-20,000 square bales a year from the farm and nearby properties.

At one point, the farm supplied second-cut hay (sweeter hay that grows after the field has been cut once) for Stella, the tortoise formerly cared for by the Department of Biology.

Blessing is an alternate for the Princetown Planning Board. This fall, she is running for a town board position.

“Our board is in need of new thoughts and perspectives,” she said. “If folks in my generation and younger generations, don't start stepping up, we won't have a Town of Princetown. I feel I bring a fresh perspective as a 'transplant' who married into a deeply rooted family.”

FIRST APP YOU LOOK AT IN THE MORNING:

Facebook to see what my old friends, classmates and extended family are up to.

WHAT’S THE LAST GREAT BOOK YOU READ?

I am a sucker for romance or mystery books. Last romance I read was part of the Rachel Hanna South Carolina Sunsets series. It is set in coastal Carolinas so I feel at home reading them. Last mystery book I read was part of the Emma Griffin FBI Mystery series by A. J. Rivers.

BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED:

Nothing sticks in my head but anyone who pushed me to do what I like as a career, they got it right.

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING RIGHT NOW?:

I LOVE the Yellowstone saga. I just started watching the newest season of “1923.” We have a watch party with friends every week to catch the next episode.

ONE SKILL YOU WISH YOU HAD:

Barrel race. The connection between the rider and their horse is phenomenal! It takes a lot of trust in both members of the team to be great at the task.

THREE DINNER PARTY GUESTS (living or deceased):

My father, Grady Moore, my brother, Graham Moore, and my father’s sister, my Aunt Olivia Norgard. My brother died far too early, and my father didn't get to enjoy his retirement or watch his grandchildren or great grandchild, grow up. My aunt is a hoot and she adored my father. It would be a very emotional dinner but also full of laughs.

FIRST CONCERT:

I don't remember the band's name but it was a Christian rock band that performed in Bismarck, N.D. I went because of the person I was dating at the time but enjoyed it nonetheless.

LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU:

I am like a chameleon. I am a country girl outside of work but growing up with parents from the south, I learned to entertain with the best of them. I am as comfortable at a fancy dinner party as I am on a horse.

FAVORITE UNION MEMORY/EXPERIENCE:

During (former president) Roger Hull's going away party in a tent on Rugby Field, a streaker did the 'naked Nott run'! Roger took it in stride and even made a joke about it.

ONE THING YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT:

Family and friends. They keep me grounded and on my toes. I think I would be bored stiff without them.