Faces – Helena Connors
Reliable, trustworthy and safe – important concepts in the field of transportation, and Helena Connors is focused daily on achieving these benchmarks.
As UNC Charlotte’s transportation manager, Connors oversees the University’s arrangement with CATS, the daytime and evening SafeRide program, the Zipcar rental program and other efforts to move students, faculty and staff around campus.
“Every day is different,” said Connors. “We’re constantly exploring ways to improve our current services, and we’re researching new programs, such as a bike-share offering.”
Currently, the University’s bus system is the largest transportation effort on campus; there are three shuttle routes that utilize five Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) buses.
“The red, yellow and green lines run continuously during the day, and the evening SafeRide shuttles operate from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.,” Connors explained. “We are looking at opportunities to improve the service. To expand and grow our services, we’re seeking input from students, faculty and staff about transportation needs, especially with light rail expected to arrive on campus in summer 2017.”
With 30,000-plus individuals on campus on most days, Connors said meeting everyone’s demands is challenging.
“Educating the campus community on transportation options is important. We encourage people to park and use our buses to move around campus,” said Connors. “We have lots of cars on campus, but there is a need to change the mindset of our students, faculty and staff. If anyone needs help using the buses, just call me, and I’ll be happy to show you.”
Since joining the University, Connors spends part of virtually every Friday riding one of the shuttle routes to gather feedback.
“Our goal is to learn from our users,” noted Connors. “Working in private industry, we could implement changes quicker; however, in government, we make a change at the beginning of the school year and then monitor those changes over time. So here, our decisions are more deliberate and more incremental.”
While she grew up in Massachusetts, Connors lived most of her life in Las Vegas. During a 20-year tenure with the U.S. Air Force, she was stationed at nearby Nellis Air Force Base and retired as a technical sergeant.
“Las Vegas is busy, bright and bustling, and most business is conducted via the telephone. I really enjoy how Southern hospitality is focused on making business more personal. I like making those one-on-one connections with others, and I love that Charlotte has four seasons,” said Connors.
Before joining the University about 18 months ago, Connors worked for Horizon Coach Lines as a general manager. She earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix.
When she’s not focused on transportation issues, Connors enjoys hiking and attending theatre productions. She also likes to spend time with family. Her son Jeffrey, a champion racecar driver and instructor, and grandchildren still live in “Sin City.” Daughter Jessica is director of sales for a Chicago-based software company.