USAC Meet a Member: Shelby Pendowski
What department do you work in and what is your job title?
Senior Communications Strategist, Facilities Department
How long have you been a Vanderbilt employee?
Five, almost six years.
How long have you been a part of USAC and how has it impacted you?
I was elected to USAC in the Summer of 2024, and it has already provided me with so much insight into other Vanderbilt departments and created new professional connections.
What has been your career journey to lead you to where you are today?
I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and began my professional career in print journalism as a newspaper layout designer and editor for Gatehouse Media, now Gannett. Later I transitioned from traditional, print media to broadcasting working as an Assignment Editor and Digital Media Producer for FOX17 in Grand Rapids, Mich. After a short period working in Public Relations for a private, health company I applied for a position as a Communications Coordinator with the Vanderbilt Facilities Department and have spent the last five years growing my career at Vanderbilt.
What do you enjoy most about Vanderbilt? (i.e. missions, benefits, views of sustainability, community, etc.)?
Working for over a decade in the news, and media industry it was a drastic change joining Vanderbilt University. The university’s dedication to its staff work-life balance and benefits is one aspect of what I enjoy most about Vanderbilt. However, it’s my role in supporting the university’s overarching mission that ignites my creativity which makes me love my job.
Do you feel like you have a good work/life balance?
I am a mom to twins, and I can’t boast enough how much I appreciate the work-life balance provided by my department. The university, and specifically the Facilities leadership, always support my mindset that my family comes first and allows me to thrive as a wife, parent and employee.
What do you enjoy doing to relieve stress?
Hiking with my dog Wednesday or spending time outdoors with my family.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
It’s Sunday Night, the 60-Minutes clock is ticking, and Steve Hartman spins a globe and flips through a local phone book to introduce Americans to a random family, couple, or person. As a kid, I loved the positivity and purity of this segment and being able to hear about real people – from that time all I wanted to do was to be able to spin a globe and tell people’s stories.
If you could visit any country with no budget, where would you visit?
Do I have to choose one? I would love to live abroad to immerse my family and kids in different cultures. If I must choose one, it would be Greece.
What has been your favorite vacation you have ever been on?
My favorite vacation to date was to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. My husband and I were a COVID couple so our large wedding was cancelled due to regulations. After postponing we decided to have a small, intimate wedding in Punta Cana.
What are you most proud of in your life thus far?
Without a doubt, I am most proud of my twin girls – Kennedy and Sawyer. They are my greatest blessings and continue to challenge me to be the best version of myself.
What is your favorite outdoor activity?
I grew up in Michigan surrounded by inland lakes and Lake Michigan so to this day if I can spend a warm summer day lakeside or on my family’s boat I am a happy camper.
What skill or talent would you most like to learn?
I am guilty of being a person without a hobby (I think a lot of people can relate). So I have trying out new activities to find that niche, and next on my list is pottery throwing. It has always intrigued me and I think it will be an entertaining challenge.