Advancement Ally - Austin Quick
Senior Director of Principal Giving in Development
1. What is your full name and is there a meaning or story behind it?
My name is Austin Dylan Quick and there is a story to my first and middle names. My mother and her family are Italians that immigrated from Naples, Italy to Montreal Canada. Italian was my first language, and then French and English. My grandparents needed a name that could be translated in Italian. My father played professional baseball in Austin, TX and loved the city. Therefore, Austin became Augustine. Also on my father's side of the family, they hold the tradition that everyone carries a middle name with the starting initial of "D".
2. Pronouns:
He/Him/His
3. How do you identify yourself or what is something you would like others to know about you?
I identify as privileged, and am well aware of how this identity has benefited me in a variety of environments. I would like others to know that my definition of leadership is partnership.
4. What is your favorite comfort food?
Pizza, meatloaf, scallop potatoes, thanksgiving feast, cioppino (italian fish soup), and just about any bowl of pasta that is not spicy.
5. What are your favorite cultural or family traditions?
I am excited to be in a position where my wife and I get to choose which traditions we upkeep and which new traditions to begin with our family. By far, my favorite family tradition is spending a week on Catalina Island. During that week, we also celebrate my birthday and mine and my wife's anniversary. It truly is a week of celebration.
6. What is something people wrongly assume about you? (biases, stereotypes, ethnic identity, etc.)
I am not saying this is a wrong assumption, but I imagine that people can get the impression that I am a diehard sports fan. I don't believe that I fit the athlete stereotype. In fact, it is something that I have been cognizant of, and rejective towards since my undergraduate experience. When it comes to sports, they were a huge part of my life growing up - and remains one of the major reasons why I am at UCR! Yet, when it comes to being a "sports fan", I don't really support one team over another. I simply enjoy the game as it is being played.
On a deeper note, I try to be as aware and retrospective as possible of all my biases. I want to continue to be astute and intentional when it comes to finding root causes of behaviors, decisions, and happenings. There are some things that have no explanation - and that is okay! But, when it comes to who I am and who I want to be, I need to become more aware of my biases and others biases towards me. With that, I am always open to critical feedback.
7. If you could change/create any policy (campus, state or national) what would it be and why?
UCR TAPS parking policies need to be reviewed and amended asap! I wrote a paper on this if anyone wants to read it :)
We all have the power to change policy for a purpose. This answer clearly reveals my privileges. It also explains why I enjoy serving and learning from the DEIB committee, to be surrounded by a diverse group of educational leaders that are passionate about their lived experiences and the experiences of others on our campus.
8. If you could have any social justice superpower, what would it be?
I love this question. I would want to be the Father of Fairness. I haven't put much thought into (yet) but essentially I would have the power to know exactly what is fair in any and every situation. Not to be confused with the Emperor of Ethics, I would not impose my will (or decisions) on others. Instead, I would have the ability to determine fairness from a historical and future perspective. Can you tell that I enjoy alliterations? My son's name is Quincy Quick :)
9. What is something you enjoy doing for others?
I enjoy making other people laugh, smile, and helping others realize that their abilities don't define their capabilities.
10. What is something that makes you feel most alive?
Talking to Jesus. Playing with my son. Dating my wife. Shooting hoops by myself.
11. If two (or more) worlds (i.e. music, artists, clothing, movies, eras, genres) could collide/collaborate, what would you choose?
Reading this question reminds me of "Old Town Road" where country music met hip-hop - and we have an instant classic! I am always interested in people's ability to craft and create items secondhand. Kind of like thrifting but more from an architectural and engineering mindset. I am also interested in history (because I know so little of it) so I would say anything that revolves around the history of building and making.
12. What is something that should be free but is not?
Everything has a cost, but not everything has a price. Understanding these two concepts could change the outcome of this question. I would like to limit to the cost (or toll) our environment incurs as a result of what we value as a society - and that ties back into the policy question. However, I try to do my part individually. Pun intended, changing directions slightly, I can certainly make the arguement for why parking should be free.
13. What makes you feel uncomfortable?
I rarely get emotionally uncomfortable. I think that comes from the result of me pairing my privilege with my critical consciousness. However, I get physically uncomfortable very easily. As a result of several athletics injuries, I am on the verge of taking disability leave at any moment. All jokes aside, as able-bodied as I am (and appear), my most debilitating disability has caused me my most severe and detrimental pains. Enduring these experiences has casted my empathy skillset.
14. What is your favorite thing about working at UCR or your favorite UCR memory?
My favorite thing about working at UCR is being an alum. I feel like we can do a better job engaging the alumni that work at their alma mater. Our experiences and relationship with the institution are unique and we are invested in the University from a multitude of perspectives.
I am not certain that my favorite UCR memory has happened yet. Although I've experienced some amazing things at UCR and feel like I get the privilege to be associated with all the amazing things that UCR is doing, there are still more things to be done that I plan to be a part of.