Alex Hoppe is a training generalist with the Continuous Improvement, Staff Development and Engagement team and makes the University a safer place by leading classes about asbestos and confined spaces, among other things. In his spare time, he is concerned about the carbonation of his homemade specialty brew!
What is your role in the Service Center of Excellence?
I am a training generalist with the Continuous Improvement, Staff Development and Engagement team. I work with Justin, Kyle, Michele, Cortney, Amanda, Collette and Joanne to develop and deliver trainings to the SCE and Finance and Operations.
What did you do before you came to the SCE?
I taught high school chemistry and engineering summer camps.
What is your favorite part of working at SCE?
I really enjoy meeting people across campus and learning about the different functions of the University. We have a variety of roles and talents at the SCE and it is fun to learn from my coworkers.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I pick up a new activity about every month. I’ve gotten big into cooking by binge-watching Alton Brown’s Good Eats, learned to code (poorly) to work on a fun side project with my developer roommate, picked up and put down the guitar and recently started a garden in my backyard for myself and friends. Mostly I enjoy trying new things with friends although every month I make sure to go to First Friday in Raleigh with a good group of friends.
What is something people probably wouldn’t know about you, or another fun item you’d like to share?
Last June I made a batch of home-brewed banana beer. And even though I botched the recipe by not accounting for the sugar the bananas would add (we were afraid the bottles would explode during the carbonation period), the beer turned out really good. I’ll try to do another batch this summer.