Austin Gange ’19 is a benefits system administrator and account analyst in the Human Resources Department. Learn how he helps employees sign up for benefits during open enrollment, his military experience and how many cars he’s owned throughout his life.
Can you describe your role at UNC Charlotte?
I am responsible for ensuring employee profiles stay current and coordinating their benefit elections to process deductions properly.
Where did you go to school?
I received my undergraduate degree in history from UNC Charlotte, and I am finishing up my master’s degree in human resources at American Military University.
How did UNC Charlotte prepare you for your career? What made you want to return to work for your alma mater?
Though I did not use my degree for my professional career as an active duty commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, I did use the experience from my degree field to have critical thinking while reading and preparing writing for the numerous operation orders I had to produce as a junior officer. While transitioning from active duty to the Army Reserves, I knew I wanted to return to Charlotte. I wanted to take advantage of my master’s degree in human resources and thought UNC Charlotte would be the perfect fit upon my return.
Where are you from?
My family is from Baltimore, Maryland. I grew up all over but claim Baltimore and Concord as my homes.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Helping employees and the satisfaction of being available to ensure that we can take care of them so they can focus on helping the university.
Open enrollment for employee benefits is currently underway. What does your role look like during this time, and what advice do you have for employees completing their enrollment?
My role will ensure that each employee's benefit elections are adequately reflected in our Banner HR System and their eBenefits and Empyrean portals. I advise you to take your time and make the best selections. Please contact our team if you have any questions or concerns about the 2024 election year!
What do you love about UNC Charlotte?
The light rail makes it super convenient to go into uptown. UNC Charlotte is a growing campus and has changed so much over the years, such as the UREC facility, the numerous upgrades both inside the classroom and out, as well as the college life. More now than ever, I have noticed students spending time outdoors, whether it is skateboarding, hammocking, socializing, etc., as well as using the light rail to commute to and from Uptown as it was just getting finalized when I graduated from UNC Charlotte.
What's a fun fact about you that many people may not know?
I am huge into cars. I have had over 26 in my lifetime and don’t plan to slow down anytime soon.
Tell us a little about your military experience and how that led you to UNC Charlotte.
I enlisted in 2015, right out of high school, and enrolled in ROTC at UNC Charlotte, where I was commissioned in 2019 as a second lieutenant. After four years of active duty, I returned to where my career started.