Staff Spotlight: Sidney Timmons

Every organization has people whose work quietly helps everything else come together. At UTA Libraries, Sidney Timmons is quickly becoming one of those people. 

As the Coordinator for Grants, Finance and Operations, Sidney may spend much of her day working behind the scenes, but the work she does makes an impact across the Libraries. Whether she is helping manage budgets, supporting grant projects or assisting with operational needs, her attention to detail helps ensure that the people doing research, teaching and serving students have the resources they need to succeed. 

Although she has only been with UTA Libraries for a short time, Sidney has already embraced every opportunity to learn, grow and support those around her. 

"I've loved it here," she said. "I've learned so much in just a month and a half, and every day is different." 

That desire to keep learning is what first drew her to the position. 

Before joining UTA Libraries, Sidney worked for the City Attorney's Office in Fort Worth, where she supported attorneys and gained valuable experience in legal administration. She also worked for the Texas General Land Office, helping administer disaster recovery grants that supported communities' rebuilding after hurricanes, freezes, floods and tornadoes. Those experiences shaped both her career path and her passion for grants and compliance. 

"I liked seeing projects from start to finish," Sidney said. "You could see the homes that were rebuilt and know you played a small part in making that happen." 

Now, instead of disaster recovery projects, she's helping support research and innovation at UTA. 

Currently, much of her work focuses on finance as the Libraries close out the fiscal year. As the academic year progresses, she will take on more grant management responsibilities, working alongside principal investigators to help manage budgets, monitor spending and ensure grant requirements are met. 

While the work often happens behind the scenes, it plays an important role in advancing research. 

"It's really interesting seeing all the different research that's happening here," she said. "You start learning what people are working on, and it's exciting to know you're helping support it." 

Sidney appreciates that no two days are exactly alike. 

One purchase might involve materials for Special Collections. Another could support new technology or equipment. Each transaction offers a glimpse into another project happening somewhere within the Libraries. 

"I'll see something come through and think, 'What is this for?'" she said with a laugh. "Then I'll start reading about it and realize it's connected to something really interesting." 

That curiosity has made the transition to higher education, especially rewarding. She says one of the biggest surprises has been discovering just how much UTA Libraries does. 

"I didn't realize everything the Libraries were involved in," she said. "There are so many different departments and so many different things happening. It's been a huge learning curve, but I love learning." 

She also credits her teammates for making her feel welcome from day one. Then people from other departments have helped guide her through new processes while encouraging her to ask questions and continue growing professionally. 

Looking ahead, Sidney hopes to continue expanding her knowledge by earning additional certifications, becoming more involved with grant management and learning more about the Libraries’ operations. She also wants to build relationships with colleagues across the Libraries, believing that every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new. 

"I want to get really good at the basics first," she said. "Then I'd love to branch out and help wherever I can." 

That willingness to help others is something that naturally defines Sidney's approach to work. Whether she's processing financial documents, assisting with grants or learning a new system, she approaches every task with patience, curiosity and a genuine desire to support the people around her.  

Outside of work, music is one of Sidney's biggest passions. If she has headphones nearby, chances are they're playing something. From indie rock and alternative music to early 2000s favorites. Her playlists span a wide range of artists like Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell. She enjoys attending concerts whenever she can and hopes to experience her first music festival in the future. 

For Sidney, music is more than entertainment. 

"It's like the soundtrack to my life," she said. "I'll hear a song and remember exactly where I was or who I was with the first time I heard it." 

That love of music extends to collecting vinyl records, one of her favorite hobbies. She enjoys searching record stores for albums she's loved for years and listening to them from beginning to end on her turntable at home. 

When she's not listening to music, Sidney enjoys reading, gaming and exploring her longtime interest in Greek mythology. That fascination even inspired several of her tattoos and helped fuel her enthusiasm for story-driven games like “Assassin's Creed Odyssey.” 

She describes herself as naturally quiet at first, but says once she gets to know people, she enjoys building connections and sharing conversations. 

"I'm pretty shy," she said. "But once I get to know you, just come say hi." 

As Sidney continues to settle into her role, she's already demonstrating the qualities that make UTA Libraries successful: a commitment to learning, a willingness to support others, and an appreciation for the work happening across every department. 

Her work may happen behind the scenes, but its impact reaches throughout the Libraries, helping faculty, researchers, staff and students continue moving forward every day.