Nan Timmons’ career at Chico State is coming to a close after 32 years of working on campus.

Timmons began working in 1986 when an opening for the Community Action Volunteers in Education’s (CAVE) office manager opened up.

The idea of working on a college campus excited her due to her own positive experience at Texas A&M University, where she got her masters and bachelors degree.

“When I saw an opening at the CAVE office as their office manager I just jumped at the chance, filled out an application, and got hired,” Timmons said.

Timmon’s impact over the next 32 years reached nearly every part of campus. She taught University Life courses, served as a supervisor for all AS programs, ran student elections for over five years, implemented the Service Learning program and participated in numerous committees including the WASC accreditation committee and the University’s 125th Anniversary committee.

She grew to love the variety in her workplace.

“I wouldn’t want to work somewhere where the routine is the same every day. I love that no two days on a college campus are the same,” Timmons said.

Timmons also enjoyed watching the landscape of the university change.

“Physically how the campus has changed is amazing,” Timmons said. “I’ve got to remind myself every once in a while by walking around and appreciating how nice this campus is.”

Along with physical changes to the university, Timmons recalls a significant amount of social and political change that occurred during her career as well. Specifically, she’s proud of the work done to accommodate the changing needs of students.

“We always have to have our ear to the ground, paying attention to what students are wanting when they come here; what they expect out of their collegiate experience,” Timmons said.

Although Timmons found it difficult to pinpoint which project had the most personal meaning, she did go into detail on her relationships with the community, explaining those will be cherished above all.

“I think just the connections, the relationships that I’ve built for 32 years, whether it’s with students or other faculty and staff, are just invaluable to me,” Timmons said. “I’m working side-by-side now as a colleague with people who were students of mine at some point. To me that’s kind of the legacy right there; that you have made this impact, you have connected with all these people.”

Even though Timmons had trouble speaking on her personal achievements, her colleagues had no problem doing so.

Denise Crosswhite, current interim Associate Director of University Housing, has known Timmons for over 15 years and believes one of her biggest impacts were the Student Stories she produced for the AS website.

These stories showcase students in different leadership positions within AS programs. Many students go on to show employers the work they’ve done and their impact on the campus using these.

According to Crosswhite, the Student Stories are only one example of Timmons’ incredible work ethic and attention to detail.

“It was everything; from the way she dressed to the way she carried herself to the way she put 100 percent into the projects,” Crosswhite said. “What really makes Nan special is all of the little things she’s done.”

Although Timmons’ career is coming to an end, she hopes that Chico State faculty and staff continue to work toward student success and inclusivity for all.

“We have a lot of good things in store for us if everybody works together, and again, just keeps the idea of student success uppermost in our minds. That’s what we’re here for,” Timmons said.

When she retires, Timmons said that she wants to spend some time in Palm Springs where she can be close to her daughter, but also looks forward to traveling around the world. Her plans were broad and without a timeline in mind, exactly the way she wants them to be.

“I’m just going to play it by ear. Just let it unfold,” Timmons said. “I’ve been planning hard, coordinating, organizing and making lists for 32 years and now I don’t have to do that anymore. Maybe I just sit for a little bit and think about it.”

Chico State will commemorate Timmon’s career on Tuesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Bell Memorial Union 203.

Brian can be reached at [email protected] or @brianluongorion on Twitter.