IT expert enjoys finding solutions and connecting with others
Every day at the University of North Florida is a great day for Jennifer Mendoza, an IT support coordinator in the UNF Information Technology Services (ITS) service management team. Mendoza, who has 20 years of IT experience, says her current position allows her to do what she genuinely enjoys doing – interacting with others.
“I like helping people, and I like meeting new people,” Mendoza said.
In her role, she provides IT support services to administrative personnel in Hicks Hall, Alumni Hall, The Flats at UNF and Osprey Fountains. Her duties include, but are not limited to, handling ticket requests, managing PC moves, maintaining equipment inventory and ensuring smooth operations for her team.
One of her favorite things to do is coordinate large-scale PC migrations – having most recently helped One-Stop Student Services and the Welcome Center migrate from Hicks Hall to the main campus.
“Helping plan and coordinate moves is my jam,” said Mendoza. “That’s particularly what I like to do.”
Early years and discovering a career in IT
A Jacksonville native, Mendoza’s parents migrated to the U.S. from the Philippines. Her father served in the Navy and her mother is a nurse. Although her mother encouraged her to consider a nursing career, Mendoza says she remained undecided about her career path in her early years. While completing her associate’s degree at FSCJ, she developed an interest in computers.
“I thought to myself, ‘I’m good at computers, let me see what I can do in that field,’” Mendoza said.
She then enrolled at a technical college, earning an associate degree and a bachelor's degree in internet information systems. She then landed her first IT job as a help desk technician at Community Hospice. After several years of working there, she transitioned to working as an independent contractor in 2016.
Finding a home at UNF
While performing contract work, Mendoza discovered an open tech support position in UNF’s Division of ITS. Intrigued by the role, she applied and soon joined the team. Since arriving at UNF nearly two years ago, Mendoza has fallen in love with the campus community. She enjoys the camaraderie among her colleagues, often helping to coordinate social gatherings including weekend volleyball games, picnics and cornhole tournaments. An avid lover of sports, she likes to stay active by competing in intramural volleyball.
According to Mendoza, working at UNF is an enjoyable experience that she will always cherish.
“I feel like UNF is my home,” said Mendoza. “I’ve made lifelong friends here.”