While serving in the United States Navy, Hal Glover, worked with airmen and seamen to make sure their pay records were correct. Similarly, he works with students at UVA to make sure their finances are in order and facilitates sponsorships.
Glover attended classes while enlisted and really enjoyed the academic environment. One day, he saw a newspaper advertisement for a position at UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) and knew he was fit for the job. “When I walk around Charlottesville, it reminds me of a military base” says Glover, “it may seem strange but they are both kind of an all-encompassing community with different jobs, sports organizations, and focus; I just feel comfortable here. The military is big, so the size of the organization here at UVA wasn’t intimidated for me, the military works with large databases and computer software and I was able to use that [experience in my UVA role].” Furthermore, Glover highlights the similarities with UVA and the military in terms of the vast array of people he works with- all with varying experiences and backgrounds. And related to the leadership training he received in the military, Glover learned how to treat people well, “I think what I’ve learned more than anything is you have to treat people how they want to be treated and [know] what makes them happy.”