Recognized for his exceptional dedication and teamwork, Bryce Mueller is one of 12 WashU IT employees recognized with multiple nominations as a 2024 Person of ImpacT. His journey within the department over the past several years epitomizes a spirit of collaboration and mentoring that has been instrumental to its success.
“In IT, we basically help each other out constantly,” Mueller said, reflecting on his team’s synergy. As a Deskside Team Lead, he spends much of his time mentoring members of his team, which is something he enjoys. Mueller’s tenure at WashU IT spans between five to six years, counting his initial six months as a student worker.
Before joining WashU, Mueller honed his skills and earned accolades at Scott Air Force Base. “I got employee of the month two months in a row there,” he recounted. A push from a friend led him to the intern position that set his current path in IT in motion.
“My dream has always been to work with computers,” he noted, adding he also has always wanted to teach. He finds fulfillment in both areas – working with computers, and teaching and mentoring within his current role, adopting an unofficial trainer’s status in his team.
This drive to serve as a mentor arose from the mentorship he has received from his senior colleagues at WashU.
Recounting his first six months at the university, he said: “There was stuff like installing Citrix and licensed software that I was unfamiliar with. Those first six months were filled with anxiety, but there were three mentors – Jeanna Wright (User Support Supervisor), Kain Ahmad (Technical Support Specialist), and Jordan Poertner (Engineer, EPIC EHR Technology Integrations) – who responded to my queries within minutes, providing a sense of relief,” he shared. This personal dedication to him has inspired him to ensure he is available to assist his team whenever needed.
Mueller also credits his educational background for shaping his approach. Though his initial ambition was to teach history, life’s path diverted him into IT.
“History was always the one thing that grabbed my attention in school,” he said.” My mom is a grade-school teacher, but I wanted to teach high school history.”
Reflecting on his formative years, Mueller recalls, “In grade school, I’d play around with the old Windows 95 machine and then XP. I built my own PCs, messed around with network settings, and it just stuck from there.”
Gratitude permeates his reflections on his journey and team. “I wouldn’t be anywhere today without my team. Those three I mentioned for sure, but the team as a whole has helped me along the way to where I became comfortable, and it’s only felt right to give it back ever since.”
Testimonies about Mueller’s impact highlight his value to his team and within WashU IT. “He is our go-to WUIT contact, especially if we need some progress made on an open item,” said his nominator, Anthony Gabriellini, Operations and System Analyst II. “He continued to support us after being promoted. He always points us in the right direction.”
Through his unwavering support and guidance, Mueller continues to fortify the collaborative spirit within WashU IT, making him a well-deserving recipient of the 2024 Person of Impact recognition. A Person of ImpacT embodies the tenets of WashU IT’s strategic plan, ImpacT, through their exceptional customer service, peer mentorship, and continuous pursuit of excellence. ImpacT directly supports the university’s Here and Next Strategic Plan. Nominations are now open and being accepted to recognize 2025 People of ImpacT. Individuals can receive multiple nominations, and anyone from within WashU can nominate a WashU IT peer.