Kimberley G. Roughton

Though she may be officially retired after 40 years at UNCW, Kimberley G. Roughton will always have ties to the university in more ways than one.

Born and raised in Wilmington, her father started working at UNCW in 1973 as the payroll manager. Kim started working in the Cashier’s Office in December 1985.

“I was proud to be working at the same employer as my father, part of the same division and also right across the front lawn. I was determined to work hard, be reliable and accountable, and dedicated to the position because these were all traits I had learned from him over the years. I cared about my reputation and his,” she said.

She moved to Human Resources in April 1995. “There were many opportunities for career growth, and I became part of a great team that felt like family,” said Roughton, who retired in December from her role as an EHRA salary administration coordinator.

Rewarding projects that she was part of during her time in HR included converting the HRS system to Banner in 2006, which is still in use today. Some other projects were the statewide career banding of all position classifications in 2008 and the conversion in 2015-16 from the HR Online System to EPAF. Roughton was also a part of the team for the new automated Leave Keeping System that went live in 2015 and is currently in use now.

Her two daughters, Kelly Roughton ’18 and Heather Roughton ’13, ’20C, are both UNCW graduates. Heather works in the dean’s office in the College of Health and Human Services and just completed 10 years of service at the university. Kim’s brother and sister are also UNCW alumni.

“It’s a rarity in this day and time to have a 40-year career with the same employer,” said Roughton. “I feel a sense of pride and satisfaction at my own career and my family’s legacy and dedication to the university and community.”