Get to Know: Candy Edwards, Office Administrator

Our School is grateful for talented and dedicated staff, who contribute greatly to our teaching and research excellence. This "Get to Know" series highlights our staff, sharing their friendly faces and stories of professional success.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Homer, Illinois, and lived there until the 4th grade when my family moved to Fithian, Illinois. Since getting married in 1990, my home has been Danville, Illinois.

What year did you begin working for the iSchool?

I began working at the iSchool in 2006.

Where did you work prior to the iSchool?

I started at the University of Illinois in 1990 at the Research Services Office, which was located in the Observatory building beside the Morrow plots. I was with them until 1994, when there was a downsizing and several of us were let go. Then I went to work at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) in their HR department and was there until I transferred to the iSchool. In January, I will hit my 30 years at the University.

What do you do at the School?

I provide clerical support for human resource activities of the School and perform all associated paper and electronic transactions.

What do you like best about your job?

 I like working with everyone at the iSchool. It's a fun, close-knit group. I also enjoy getting to email and meet with our new hires and student workers.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I loved watching my youngest daughter play her three high school sports and in band, but now that she's graduated, we are down to one college basketball career. Basketball is starting soon, so that will be exciting. I have a hobby farm and raise chickens, ducks, and rabbits. My daughters showed the animals at 4-H shows and county fairs. My youngest daughter recently decided to give up 4-H, so we are out of the 4-H showing now. Our rabbits may or may not be staying around—if anyone is looking to get into the rabbit business, let me know. We have too many rabbits to call pets at this point! We do try to raise and sell some of our animals at local livestock auctions to cover feed costs. I also watch a lot of Netflix series and TV shows now that things have slowed down at home.

Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

Get to know Wendy Edwards, senior software engineer

Outside of her work as senior software engineer, Wendy Edwards (MSLIS '09) is active in the areas of security and data science through her involvement in Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS); SANS Institute's Women's Cyber Academy; and NASA's Datanauts program and Space Apps Challenge hackathon. Edwards was a two-time champion in the Target Cyber Defense Challenge, earning scholarships to attend the WiCyS annual conference. In addition to her MSLIS, she holds an MS in computer science from the University of Illinois Springfield.

Wendy Edwards

Townsend to support iSchool administration

Angelica Townsend joined the iSchool on March 17 as an office administrator. She will serve as the primary administrative support for the interim executive associate dean and the assistant dean for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. 

Angelica Townsend

Ochs and Fiedler featured in "Can’t Shelve This" podcast

School Librarian Licensure Coordinator Lauren Ochs and recent graduate Hannah Fiedler (MSLIS '24) are featured in episode six of "Can’t Shelve This," a podcast produced by Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) in collaboration with Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS). 

Lauren Ochs

New home for the Center for Children’s Books

The Center for Children's Books (CCB) at the iSchool is a crossroads for critical inquiry, professional training, and educational outreach related to youth-focused resources, literature, and librarianship. The CCB houses a non-circulating research collection of children’s and young adult books, with emphasis placed on books published within the last two years. The CCB recently moved to a new home in the iSchool building at 501 East Daniel Street. 

inside the Center for Children's Books with colorful furniture and carpet and bookcases.