Called to Contribute

by Cynthia Machamer

Amy Cavanaugh '96 is director of career services at the University of Portland. At first glance it may seem an ordinary position. Because of who she is and the values she embraces, she brings anything but the ordinary to her work at this Holy Cross institution.

Cavanaugh, who majored in sociology at Saint Mary's, began her work at the university as assistant director of career services in 2000 and was promoted to director two years ago. She chose to work at the University of Portland, she says, because "it was important to me to work in a mission-driven organization where I can incorporate my faith in the work that I do on a daily basis."

She says the University of Portland immediately felt like home because she had attended Saint Mary's, where she first learned the meaning of community. "At Saint Mary's,

I participated in the urban plunge program, the summer service program, and an internship at a homeless shelter. In all of those experiences, I was able to apply what I learned in the classroom. Now I value the opportunity to make a difference, and I feel as though I am able to do that in my role in career services and as a member of a faith-based institution."

Cavanaugh says working at a Holy Cross institution also appealed to her because "I am able to fulfill the mission of 'Teaching, Faith, and Service' in all of the work that I do. I have an opportunity to help students and alumni to recognize their gifts and help them to find ways in which they can contribute their strengths to society."

She says she appreciates how a Holy Cross education instills values and encourages students to think critically. "It integrates faith and ethics into the curriculum and provides students an opportunity to challenge and be challenged," she says. "One of the most important elements for me is that I was encouraged at Saint Mary's to be a lifelong learner and to find ways to contribute to the lives of others."

When Cavanaugh talks about what is distinctive about the way Holy Cross colleges prepare young people for living and working in today's world, she likes to talk about heart: "I believe that a Holy Cross institution educates not only the mind but the heart. Students are challenged to consider the ethical issues and how they are called to contribute as leaders in the local community and globally. I think that having an emphasis on residential campuses provides an opportunity to build community and has a major impact on how young people develop during the college years.

I notice the way that students make friends and share with one another in ways that will continue to influence them long after they leave the university."
When she's not at work, Cavanaugh likes to explore the outdoors. "I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I go hiking as much as I can and have enjoyed running as well. The rumors are true about the rain in Portland, but the green trees and waterfalls and the sunny summer months make up for it," she says.

Cavanaugh will earn her master's degree in management communication at the University of Portland in May. Intrigued by the topic of organizational identification, she is working on a qualitative research project that uses focus groups to learn more about why other people work at the University of Portland. She suspects many of their reasons, like hers, will be anything but ordinary.