Shanna Fitzpatrick Forecasts Budgets and Weather
Graduate School budget and finance director has studied weather since she was 11
Name:Shanna Fitzpatrick
Position: Director, Budgets and Finance, Graduate School
Years at Duke: 7.5
What I do at Duke: I direct financial operations for Duke's Graduate School. I spend my days looking at spreadsheets and databases and doing lots of financial analysis as our team prepares and monitors financial aid budgets and expenditures for over 65 graduate programs within the university. I also oversee development and implementation of financial policies, administrative budgets, processes and technologies for the Graduate School.
My dream job: I have always loved meteorology. When I was about 11, I started asking my parents so many questions about the weather that they enrolled me an introductory meteorology summer course at Loyola University Maryland. It was my first exposure to higher education.
To start a conversation with me, ask me about: Books, travel, films and oh, yes - budgets.
If I had $5 million, I would: Invest, purchase a vacation home closer to family and determine which industry currently has opportunities for my market entry as a business owner.
My first job: Team lead at Dunkin' Donuts at age 16 in Ellicott City, Maryland. One of my responsibilities was maintaining the donut inventory.
If I could have one superpower, it would be: The power of healing. If that is unavailable, I would like to have the power of teleportation to reduce my daily commute from Holly Springs.
What I love about Duke: The support of continuing education and professional development. I graduated from the Duke Leadership Academy in December and am grateful for my Dean's support to complete the program. It was a fantastic opportunity to network directly with other leaders at Duke.
The most memorable moment at work: Recently, I was contacted by a former employee who said expectations for leadership were now too high after working with me. That compliment made my month.
Something most people don't know about me: Back when I had time for hobbies, I used to play three musical instruments: piano, clarinet and drums.
A book I've recently read: I started reading the Game of Thrones series by George Martin. The jury is still out about how I feel about it because some of the characters I got attached to have died.
A favorite movie: The adaptation of "Sense and Sensibility" with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet.
Something unique in my office: I have several sketches and paintings from a world renowned local artist, my five-year old daughter Madison.