February 2016
Tiffany Wengyn ’12
God blessed me with such a beautiful family, and they are my support system. My parents, Mark and Carol, have been married for 30 years, and have two younger sisters, Heather Wengyn-Cropper and Madelyn Wengyn.
I was born and raised in Valrico, FL, where I attended Nativity Catholic School from Pre K-3 until 8th grade and then Durant High School. I was very involved in all kinds of sports: horseback riding, tennis, gymnastics, softball, body building, and golf. It was golf that I took the furthest. I started playing when I was 7 after my grandfather gave my sister and me clubs for Christmas. I went on to play in high school, making the top ladies All-County list each year. I was team captain by my junior year, and in my senior year I tied for second as top individual ladies golfer at our district golf tournament in Hillsborough County. I then was awarded a scholarship to play for Saint Leo’s women’s golf team.
Saint Leo University Experience
Once I arrived at Saint Leo, I played golf only through the beginning of my sophomore year. Unfortunately, I injured my shoulder, which required major surgery. I had to regroup and focus more on my studies. I started off as a biology major, but then made the decision to change to environmental science. I attended school at University Campus and was a commuter student. I met some great people in college and currently keep in touch with many of them. I think college is where you really are able to define who you are because you gain the ability to make decisions on your own. It was one of the best times of my life.
Current Career
Today, I work for the Mosaic Company, a Fortune 500 company that is the largest U.S. producer of potash and phosphate fertilizer. I started more than four years ago as an environmental co-op working at Bartow Concentrates facility and then transferred to Four Corners Mine Facility. I then was hired as Bartow Facility’s Environmental, Health, and Safety-Corrective Action Preventative Action (EHSMS-CAPA) training coordinator. I was in that position for about two and a half years. During that time I was also appointed as interim EHSMS coordinator for Bartow, Green Bay, and Bonnie Mine facilities. My colleagues and I helped the company become ISO/Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSAS) certified, which meant our facilities were in compliance with the regulations driven by regulatory agencies and Mosaic programs. During that time, I also became a certified emergency responder for the company.
Following my time in EHSMS, I accepted a position in operations, becoming a production shift supervisor at the Bartow (Dry Products) Granulation Plant. I supervised two crews (11 employees total), ensuring that my team stayed safe while conducting day-to-day tasks in the plant. We worked on rotating 12-hour shifts. Our focus was on producing fertilizer, as we were the final process at the plant. It was important to monitor safety, product quality, process improvements, environmental concerns within the plant, maintenance repairs, and raw material management. I was in that position for about 10 months when I moved to my now current position in the Operations Learning and Development department as EHS training specialist. I started the position in July 2015, becoming a certified training facilitator and a certified Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) instructor. I support the phosphates level of the company, teaching new hires and the MSHA annual refresher. I also work on phosphate level training projects and aiding the Safety, Environmental, and Health departments as requested.
Goals and Aspirations
I have a strong interest in learning and building my knowledge about the company, safety, and operation process at Mosaic. I love being a part of the EHS Training Department because it is so important to ensure we are training and preparing our employees properly. I plan on working up the ladder in the department and help the company mitigate any risks and hazards we may face in our facilities and drive our safety to a higher level of excellence.
Advice to Others
The one bit of advice I want to share with those currently in college is to find opportunities where you can gain “real life” experiences that will enhance your knowledge in your chosen field. You can read all about your field of choice, but until you actually work in it, your understanding will be limited. Never limit yourself. Learn all you can about not only your profession, but also the field and those you may work with. This knowledge will give you a perspective that is key to success. Pushing yourself to learn all you can about the whole industry will result in gaining understanding, new abilities, and respect. The respect you gain is what builds your credible reputation.
For everyone, in whatever stage of life, this is one of my favorite quotes: “An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. When life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus and keep aiming!”
More alumni stories »