Monday, December 23 Synergy/HCPSS Connect Planned Maintenance - The vendor for Synergy has scheduled a mandatory maintenance window to complete updates on Monday, December 23 at 8 p.m. The window will last until all necessary updates have been successfully applied, which is anticipated to be approximately at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, December 24. Users may experience times of no or sluggish response during this maintenance window. Once the work is complete, users may continue to log in as usual.

Get to Know Jahantab Siddiqui, HCPSS Chief Administrative Officer

The Get To Know series was created to help staff learn more about HCPSS leaders in schools and offices with whom they may not typically interact. HCPSS leaders answer a mix of personal and professional questions in an effort to let all employees get to know them better. 

black and white headshot of Jahantab Siddiqui. Blue and gray frame graphic in background with white text stating, Get to Know Jahantab Siddiqui HCPSS Chief Administrative Officer

Why did you choose to work in education?
As a student at University of Maryland, I led lobbying efforts to improve access to education and that fueled my passion to get involved in public service. That led to a career in public policy at the federal, state and local levels and in each of those roles, the most rewarding work I did was around education initiatives and I believe I have now come full circle.

While I'm not an educator, my job is to ensure that our educators, support staff, administrators, and students have the resources, services and access they need to ensure a high quality of education and supports. Whether it's enhancing existing programs or supporting a new program, opening a new building, or even navigating an emergency situation, I get to see the positive impact of our work every single day. 

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
Senator Barbara Mikulski had some of the best guiding principles and I continue to use at least three of them on a regular basis:

  • Always be clear about "What is the objective we seek?"
  • We cannot always guarantee an outcome but we must guarantee an effort.
  • Do not explain an abstraction with an abstraction.

What is something you like a lot that would surprise people?
Ketchup on pasta. I will probably regret putting this in writing. 

What is on your bucket list?
I love music and would love to learn to play the guitar.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
Rio de Janeiro. Beautiful city with a lot of culture, history and amazing food. I would love to go back and spend some more time there.