About
Heather Ward
Heather Ward
Analyst/Planner
heatherlward@usf.edu
813-974-0677
I work with the GNSI team to plan and strategize for conferences, events, and activities.
In the future I hope to help the team develop an academic journal and bring together
thought leaders and experts from different areas of the private sector, academia,
and government.
I graduated from USF in 2022 with a Masters in Library and Information Science. After
that I spent a little over a year working full time as an Amazon consultant and part
time helping researchers build websites for grant proposals, building information
hubs to support healthcare caregivers, spent time working as an editorial assistant
for an academic journal, and even recording audio lectures.
Flashback to 10 years old: What did you want to be when you grew up?
I've always wanted to be a writer. I can remember filling up black and white composition
notebooks with stories-- mostly about my dog.
What's the most "interesting" thing you've done that not many people know about
I raise monarch butterflies. Over the past three years, I've released almost 1,000
and probably spend close to that much money on supplies.
Favorite musician, genre of music?
Florence and the Machine, RKS, The Mezingers.. it's all over the place.
Where are you from originally? What was your first job?
I'm originally from Florida. I grew up about an hour outside of Tampa in New Port
Richey. My first job was at a frozen yogurt shop where the previous USF President,
Judy Genshaft, used to visit during football season and tip me and my coworkers $20
each.
Books you're currently reading?
I read alot. But currently I'm working through Ray Bradbury's Zen and the Art of Writing
and The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill.
Favorite sport, team, athlete or "thing" you could be President of the Fan Club?Monarch butterflies. If you asked me to do an inpromptu presentation on one thing it I'd pick this.
Finish this sentence: On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me...
Outside in my hammock. I love getting up early and watching the world wake up, knowing
that there is nothing I should be doing yet.
When's your birthday?
April 6