Get to know: Sabrina Mack

Sabrina Mack is an instructional systems specialist with Learning and Organizational Development. She has a wealth of knowledge on content management systems and a passion for gaining knowledge and teaching others. She has been integral in the management of UNC Charlotte’s new learning management system, Learning and Development Portal.

How long have you been a member of Niner Nation?
I joined Niner Nation on June 1, 2020, therefore I have been a member for eight great months.

How would you describe your role and responsibilities, and what does your typical workday look like?
My role and responsibilities are to support staff in their training and development needs by first understanding what those needs are and then providing consulting and instructional design to develop tools that will help to meet those needs. I also facilitate training. A major responsibility of mine is to manage our new Learning and Development Portal. A typical workday for me includes providing any updates to the Learning and Development portal, as well as assisting staff by designing e-lessons that will aid in the development of staff.

What is Learning and Organizational Development responsible for and how does your role fit into that?
The Learning and Organizational Development department provides leadership for uniting professional development efforts on campus. My role fits in by managing the Learning and Development Portal that houses our various methods of learning such as online classes, e-lessons and instructor-led training. My role is also to assist with the design of e-lessons that are engaging and contributing to the development of various departments across campus.

What drew you to the learning and development field?
I have always enjoyed gaining knowledge and teaching others. My first job in this field was at a call center teaching new hire training. At that time I was testing out the role due to it being a time-limited role. I soon saw that this line of work was intriguing to me. As that love grew, it transitioned into teaching adults with various training and development opportunities. I believe that with any role there is always more to learn. In our careers, we are lifelong learners and I enjoy being a part of that process.

What is the most challenging part of your job? Most rewarding?

The most challenging part of my job has been learning the environment and culture at UNC Charlotte from a distance due to COVID-19. The most rewarding part has been seeing my work come together with the launch of the Learning and Development Portal. This has been my focus since starting my role. It has been great receiving feedback about the portal and seeing how it brings the University together by having a central spot for Learning and Development.

What is something people may not know about you?
People may not know that I was born and raised in Queens, New York. I moved to North Carolina to attend college. I graduated from Winston Salem State University with my bachelor’s degree in applied science with a concentration in mass communications. I also earned a master’s degree in adult education from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. I am happy to share that I was just accepted for the fall 2021 semester to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where I will be working towards earning my Ph.D. in higher education. Thanks to the great Tuition Waiver program we have at UNC Charlotte, I have been able to start taking courses towards this degree.

How would you sum yourself up in one sentence?
A positive lady that loves family, has faith and enjoys spreading knowledge.

Do you have anything else you would like to share/want people to know about you?
I am a very proud mommy of an awesome, smart, and athletic son Rashidi Jr (R.J). He is 10 years old and keeps me on my toes.

Interview by: Caitlin Mauk