Get to know us … is a new feature for UF/IFAS CREC social media. In it we get to know one of the faculty, staff or students working at UF/IFAS CREC and perhaps learn something new and unusual about them.
Meet Jennifer Jett. Jennifer is one of the important “behind the scenes” staff at UF/IFAS CREC that support the expansive grants programs at the experiment station. Her position includes providing research administrative support to faculty for pre-award proposal grant submissions for UF/IFAS CREC, SWREC, TREC and Ona research and education centers. She also handles a portion of the post award for CREC, helps to provide monthly grant balances to faculty and assists them with managing their payroll distributions while working closely with HR. In short, she helps keep the place operating smoothly and efficiently!
When did you start working at CREC?
I began my journey with CREC on April 24th 2015 after a 2 year break spent with my new baby girl Alaina after taking a buy out option and retiring from FedEx after 13 years.
What are you really proud about working at CREC?
It is truly rewarding to know that we are all working to make real differences in the industry through the science whether it is directly or indirectly. I think it is important for all of us at CREC to understand the importance of our positions and how we all contribute to the successes of new findings, interesting discoveries and helping the research to keep moving forward.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I have many rewards. I will start with the relationships I’m so fortunate to make with the people I work closely with, support and at times support me when I need it most and can call them friends. I would have to say that any time I am able to help my faculty or co-workers with a challenge it is rewarding but the biggest reward would be when the proposals I work so hard on get funded.
That’s a great feeling for all involved.
Who is your favorite superhero?
My Mom.
What is your favorite type of citrus?
This is easy. It’s the Sugar Belle, Its official name is ‘LB8-9’ mandarin hybrid, but everyone knows it as Sugar Belle. I appreciate Dr. Fred Gmitter even that much more every time I eat one of those. This mandarin is easy to peel on top but then the juice runs down your arm at the bottom because its not so easy to peel but believe me worth the effort. That is my absolute favorite. I was born in Lakeland and raised in Polk county my whole life. My parents built our house on what was once an orange grove. We had several orange and tangerine trees in our yard while growing up. I remember eating so many of them as a kid, just picking them straight from the tree, peeling it just enough to be able to get the sweet juices out with the rind still attached and the acids from the peel would make my mouth burn. Again, all worth it and I wouldn’t change a thing. I love citrus but I have to say never have I tasted anything sweeter than Dr. Gmitter’s citrus. I do need to talk with him about that peel though.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I love Anna Maria in the summer, Beech Mountain NC, Georgia mountains around Hellen, it’s such a cute town. These places are great all year around and I always enjoy camping with my family anywhere we go.
What is your favorite thing to cook/eat?
Well I think most know or maybe they don’t LOL, that I absolutely love to bake cakes, pies, and cupcakes. It is my hobby and its so fun to do with my kiddo’s. Eating it well, I like to do that too but that can be not such a good thing all the time. My favorite food is sea food.
If you could invite three people to share a meal with, who would it be (other than family)?
Oh, this question is great! I would have to say Jimmy Fallon because he is so funny and I love to laugh, Mathew McConaughey because well everything is Alright, Alright, Alright and that’s kind of my personality and Duff Goldman the famous pastry chef, so he could share all his fantastic baking secrets with me.
What is your favorite song or recording artist?
I love all music and love how different varieties of music can make you feel, remember, and express yourself. I would say I really love Sade and all music like it, Chris Botti a little jazz goes a long way, Christian music like Zach Williams “Face To Face” is good to my soul and your good old country music is a staple with my favorite being George Strait, Dolly and Keith Urban.
Do you have a favorite movie? Book?
My all-time favorite movie is Top Gun. I love that movie and for whatever reason can watch it any time its on. I like Nicholas Sparks books; I’d say Dear John was my favorite.
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