Information Technology Services (ITS)
IT@UofT People — Maya Collum
Published on: October 11, 2024
The backbone of any successful team is its hard-working people. The University of Toronto’s Information Technology Services (ITS) unit is no exception. It is made up of a diverse range of people with an even greater diversity in their interests and talents.
In this segment, entitled “IT@UofT People,” we will get to know our IT@UofT team across the tri-campus community and find out more about their hidden or not-so-hidden talents and/or pursuits outside of work.
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Department: Enterprise Applications and Solutions Integration (EASI), ITS
Title: Manager, Research Application Development & Maintenance
How long have you worked at U of T?
This August, I celebrated 20 years at U of T – almost all of them at the VPRI! I spent a decade at the Innovations & Partnerships Office, managing the systems that underpin commercialization activity at U of T. After that, I moved over to Research Analytics and spent my days analyzing data to glean institutional narratives, and managing the Research & Innovation Dashboards and DiscoverResearch. This past spring, I moved over to EASI to lead the research applications team, and I love it!
What is your secret or not-so-secret talent or hobby outside of work?
Between my own interests and my family members’ hobbies, my “outside of work” life revolves around sports and being very active.
My boys play rep sports, so I spend my free time driving to hockey rinks and baseball diamonds across Ontario and the US, making millions of snacks and cleaning stinky sports gear. I also love being active myself – lifting weights, running, cycling, swimming, yoga, golf – I’m in!
How and why did you get involved in this hobby?
I have always enjoyed being active, but my love of hobbies like lifting weights, cycling, etc. really took off during COVID. Being active every day kept me grounded – and now it’s a necessity to keep up with my family!
Do you have any professional training in this field?
I am a certified yoga teacher… but I haven’t taught a class in over ten years. Maybe one day I’ll come back to it. I also dream of doing a Kinesiology degree at U of T. It’ll be my retirement project.
Do you have any outstanding memories or accomplishments from this hobby?
My biggest accomplishment is my daily commitment to being active – I have logged over 1,000 workouts since the pandemic hit. My favourite memories are simple moments playing sports with the kiddos. We recently took up skiing as a family and traveled to Kelowna. That’s one for the memory books, for sure.
Who/what are your inspirations?
Such a long list! In this fitness space: Chef Babette and Rich Roll are pretty awesome, and great reminders that you can be fit and active at any age.
Closer to home: my husband. He coaches the boys’ baseball and hockey teams (so much work!) and always keeps everyone rooted in what’s most important: having fun!
Finally, when I don’t feel motivated, or need some inspiration, I remind myself of Henry Ford’s words: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This picture is from our recent trip to Pittsburgh for the Cap Classic. It was a blast!