Mitzi Nakatsuka
Web Developer, Department of Statistics

In honor of the 2023 Alice W. Chandler Staff Service Recognition Ceremony held June 22, we’re profiling some of the staff members who are celebrating this year the longest tenures at the University of Chicago.

You can view the on-demand portion of the ceremony, plus check out the full list of 2023 honorees on the UChicago Intranet.

Mitzi Nakatsuka celebrates year 45 at UChicago. She started at the University as a secretary in the Statistics Department, later moved into Web Services, before eventually returning to the department she started in as a web developer.

She answered our questions about her interests and experiences:

Q: What initially brought you to the University? What role were you in then?
A family friend had a son attending the medical school and enthusiastically suggested I look into positions at the University. When I met with someone in Human Resources, there was an urgent need for a secretary in the Statistics Department.

Q: How has your role changed/grown over the past 45 years?
Most tasks were done manually such as correspondence, class handouts and slides, manuscripts, and duplication. There were no desktop computers or copy machines in the department, only a ditto machine and various IBM Selectric typewriters. Part of my tasks included typing mathematical manuscripts using a typewriter, a tedious and time-consuming process. Once the department got its first Sun workstations, I learned to use Unix, TeX, and HTML, and was able to typeset many manuscripts efficiently as well as build and maintain the department’s website. Later, I was hired by the director of Web Services as a web developer and supported clients such as AdmiNET, Human Resources, and the Law School. About four years later, the Statistics Department hired me back as a web developer, where I built and maintained several versions of their website and for the Committee on Computational and Applied Mathematics (CCAM). I’ve been in the Department ever since.

Q: Where are you originally from?
I grew up on the city’s south side.

Q: What is it that you enjoy most about your role?
Learning new techniques and skills and applying them on the website and other areas. Working with my colleagues, providing technical support and problem solving.

Q: What is it that you enjoy about UChicago? What’s kept you here all these years?
The many faces and backgrounds of people and personalities I’ve grown to know in and outside of the department through the years—some now gone; opportunities to learn new skills, and the campus.

Q: Do you have any favorite UChicago-related memories from over the years you can share with us?
Working and getting together after hours with colleagues in Web Services (many of whom have moved on) and collaborating with the clients I supported. Staff and faculty in Statistics (some now gone) that I had the great pleasure of knowing and working with.

Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Gardening, exploring healthy cooking ideas, and spending time with my husband, family members, and doggie Willie.