Member Spotlight – March 2021
Glandina Morris (nickname Dina)
Assistant Director, The Women’s Advancement Initiative
University of Hartford
Education/Alma Mater: BS – University of Hartford, M.Ed. – Cambridge College
Morning News Sources: The Today Show or NBC Connecticut
Hometown/Current town: Born and raised in Middletown; current home is in Bristol.
How long have you worked in your current position? 3 years; 17 years in non-profit and higher education.
Did you have a job that might surprise people? I worked a temp job in a print factory counting then shrink wrapping various publications.
What do you value most about CWC? The connection to other women. As we adapt to these uncertain COVID times, it’s more important than ever to stay connected, share resources, and encourage each other.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? Say “yes” to opportunities.
Piece of advice for people entering your field / looking to excel in your field? Listen first to understand, be empathetic, collaborate with others, benchmark best practices, and never be afraid to ask questions or present a new way of doing something.
Proud moment or accomplishment you’d like to share? I am proud each day to educate, mentor, and learn from women. They inspire me to get out of my comfort zone. Personally, I am also proud to have re-created and published our annual W magazine which shares personal stories of perseverance and celebrates diversity, resilience, and building community. https://www.hartford.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/womens-advancement/magazine.aspx
First Job in high school: Hostess in the dining room at a retirement home.
Dream Job (besides current): Life Coach and/or Vice President of Communications.
Bucket List Item: Travel to Australia, and Alaska (dream trip cancelled in 2020 due to COVID).
Hobbies (and any new ones started during pandemic): Travelling, listening to live music, reading, hiking, dancing, going to the movies or museums; and recently crossword puzzles.
Favorite Restaurant (and items you recommend): That’s a tough one. I love sugary sweets. I’d have to say any restaurant that has amazing chocolate cakes, cheesecakes, apple pie, or chocolate candies.
TV Character most like you: Vivian Banks (original mom on Fresh Prince of Bel Air)
Vacation Spot: Turks and Caicos, Maine to unplug, Memphis or any city with great live music.
Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump, The Lion King, Hidden Figures, A League of Their Own, The Sandlot, Shawshank Redemption
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Debra Seay
Senior Associate/Senior Project Manager
Amenta Emma Architects
Education/Alma Mater: Bachelor of Architecture, Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, PA
Morning News Sources: Alexa- Morning News Brief (CNN, NPR, AP, WSJ), Hartford Courant, Hartford Business Journal
Hometown/Current town: Hometown – Brockway, PA / Current Town – Avon, CT
How long have you worked in your current position? 4 ½ years (which is as long as I have been in CT, but I’ve been in the industry for 19 years!).
Did you have a job that might surprise people? I was a camp counselor during college.
What do you value most about CWC? Being a new member, I have really enjoyed how open the group is to welcoming new members. I was drawn to the group for being a diverse group of powerful women that socializes but cares about the community and discussing relevant topics.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? It’s a saying that I read when I was younger that I value as advice: “Many people walk in and out of your life, but only a few leave footprints on your heart. Be a person that leaves footprints.”
Piece of advice for people entering your field / looking to excel in your field? Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know something. Do some research, ask questions, because that is when you truly learn.
Proud moment or accomplishment you’d like to share? Professionally – seeing one of my projects win a design award. Personally – My family and I have been going on Family mission trips through our church for several years. My husband and I are passionate about this and were excited to have an opportunity to share this with our children. Our first year, as we were pulling out of the parking lot to go home on our last day, they both begged us to go back the following year. Seeing them both with a servant’s heart at such a young age has made me incredibly proud.
First Job in high school: Working at my town’s public pool – front desk and concession stand!
Dream Job (besides current): Marine Biologist. I always wanted to spend my days playing with dolphins.
Bucket List Item: My sister and I always said one day we were going to Rangoon, Burma. It is where our grandma was from and when she left, she still had family there. We want to go see where she grew up and maybe meet some new extended family members!
Hobbies (and any new ones started during pandemic): Hiking, camping, social distance fires – We started this with friends to help us adults and the kids stay sane last year.
Favorite Restaurant (and items you recommend): The Melting Pot. I think there is only one in CT, but when we lived in NC and NM, we frequented way too often!
Vacation Spot: Camping anywhere with family/friends.
Favorite Movie: I LOVE movies, too many genres and good ones to pick just one! Braveheart, Remember the Titans, White Christmas, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Goonies, oh I could go on and on……
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Read the Member Spotlights from January and February
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