In Deborah Haliczer’s office hangs a poster that reads “All I need to know about life I learned from Star Trek.”

However, the director of employee relations for the Department of Human Resources has a slightly more expansive educational background to rely on for helping thousands of NIU’s employees.

“I am responsible for general problem solving, policy implementation and troubleshooting with situations encountered by our faculty members, our supportive professional staff members and administrators,” Haliczer said.

That can entail everything from resolving conflicts between two faculty members to the monitoring of flu shots given to university employees. Haliczer also serves on committees dealing with affirmative action and sexual harassment.

Haliczer loves the daily communication with people from different departments.

“Working with people is my favorite part of the job,” she said. “NIU has some incredibly interesting people working here who really care about our students and who are dedicated to doing a good job to help everyone get their education.”

Karen Baker, director of compliance and labor relations, said Haliczer mirrors that dedication.

“She’s very thorough and very easygoing,” she said. “She has a true love and interest in what she does. She is truly committed to Northern.”

That commitment likely stems from the fact that Haliczer is a NIU alumna and remains a student here – she is studying for her Ph.D. in adult education.

Her commitment will be tested by the upcoming budget cuts. In her position, Haliczer will be dealing with a lot of stressed employees worrying about their jobs.

“The budget cuts are going to continue to cause stress for all the employees and students on campus,” she said. “Anything that causes broad-scale anxiety means more work for the people who work with me. The more you cut back on staffing, the more it causes overload on schedules. Ultimately, it just makes more work for everyone.”

Haliczer advises stressed workers to maintain focus and take a break if needed.

“You need to continue to focus on the mission and the most important things you need to accomplish. And use networks; use the support of colleagues and friends.”

When Haliczer gets some spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening and traveling — she has lived in France and Spain and has traveled to China, Mexico, Greece, Israel and Egypt. There also is the matter of that “Star Trek” poster.

“I am a life-long ‘Star Trek’ fan … I enjoy escapist fantasies and science fiction as a recreational outlet, and the philosophy of ‘Star Trek’ is one which really fits with my personal philosophy – the non-interference, do no harm, respect other cultures aspect of it. So much of the messages from the different incarnations are really much in line with my political beliefs.”

For now, Haliczer preaches togetherness in dealing with the upcoming budgets cuts and the stress they can bring.

“Northern is a great place, and I hope the next couple of years with the financial problems with the state don’t cause irreparable harm to our programs or to our students, faculty and staff,” she said. “We need to pull together to find ways to weather the crisis and keep our mental health intact.”