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Heeding Good Advice

Cindy Hartmann helps guide compliance efforts for Duke Athletics

Cindy Hartmann, riding in the front car, waves at the camera on a ride at Disney World.
Cindy Hartmann, riding in the front car, waves at the camera on a ride at Disney World. "I've always wanted to work at Disney World because it's the happiest place on earth," she said. Photo courtesy of Cindy Hartmann.

 

Name: Cindy HartmannPosition: Associate director of compliance, Duke AthleticsYears at Duke: 4

What I do at Duke: I oversee our compliance efforts for the NCAA, ACC and Duke rules. We educate NCAA rules and regulations to our constituents, like Duke student-athletes. We're in charge of documenting Duke's adherence to rules. The bulk of my day-to-day work is teaching about institutional integrity and making sure we have a culture of awareness around proper ethics for how students and employees interact with each other and the university.

If I had $5 million, I would: Break the money down into three categories - give, save and spend. I'd make sure I take care of issues that are important to me by donating to groups that research cancer and muscular dystrophy. I'd then want to make sure my family has a comfortable future, and since I work in the field of athletics, I'd find a way to give for athletic purposes. The money would also allow me to look for a job at Disney World some day. I've always wanted to work at Disney World because it's the happiest place on earth.

My first ever job: Working for a local photographer while I was in college at Syracuse University. My undergrad degree is in photojournalism, so I spent a couple summers interning.

My dream job: Growing up I always wanted to train chimpanzees. I read a biography about chimpanzee trainers when I was in grade school, and I always wanted to work with them to teach sign language.

If someone wanted to start a conversation with me they should ask me about: There are two conversations that come easily. Professionally, I can talk about sports, and personally, I can talk about my kids. I'm a big fan of anything Duke and I have two kids - a son, Sam, who's 10 and daughter, Olivia, who's 8.

The best advice I ever received: I've had a lot of good mentors who have taught me a variety of things like always respond to an email, even if you can't give an answer or dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

What I love about Duke: Its history. There's such a great history, yet everyone is looking at how we can advance to the future. There's a great mesh of old and new. The people here are fantastic. They're honestly invested in bettering the institution for students, faculty and staff.

When I'm not at work, I like to: Travel. My family always tries to find new adventures. We've gone to the North Carolina mountains and historical American landmarks like the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. My husband is from North Dakota and I'm from upstate New York, so we have family all over. We get to travel lots of places to visit.

If I could have one superpower, it would be: Flying would get me places faster and being invisible allows you to go places and be there, but not be seen. But I'd truly want to be able to read people's minds. I feel like I'm always thinking, `I wonder what they were truly thinking' in situations.

Something most people don't know about me: My undergrad degree was in photojournalism. My area of specialty was print photography, so I loved black and white photos. Ansel Adams was certainly an inspiration and sports photography was always great.