University of Rhode Island student Sullynette Sanchez helps oversee the Memorial Union, one of the largest and busiest buildings on campus. And she does it well, says the Association of College Unions International. The professional group recently recognized Sanchez as the top employee in the region, which spans Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Sanchez took some time to talk about her job as senior building manager and the award.
PBN: I understand that two Memorial Union employees nominated you for the award. Were you surprised to win it?
SANCHEZ: I was absolutely surprised to win the award. There were so many people in the ACUI Conference that do the same job as I do, that it came as a shock to me when they called my name. My heart started beating fast, and I was so nervous to go up and receive it. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget. I should have looked at both [Operations Assistant Director] Brad Irish and [Building Services Coordinator] Joe Berardi faces, because they both knew and looked at each other. Even Matt O’Rourke, another senior building manager, knew before I did.
I always knew they were very pleased with my performance and spoke highly of me, my work and contributions. Now I am honored to know that Brad and Joe believe in me and recognize me so much that they nominated me. The recognition and nomination alone would have made me happy. But the award makes it 10 times better.
PBN: Can you tell us a little about what your job entails?
SANCHEZ: We are considered generalists! Building managers do a little of everything. In my position, as a senior building manager, I oversee managers and perform specialty task responsibilities as well as those responsibilities of a regular building manager. I also assist with protocol re-evaluation and instill new ideas to help the universities community. I work behind the scene to make the student facilities building more accessible to students as well as support them in event management. I also assist with building management recruitment and hiring.
It is difficult to categorize what a building manger does, in the Memorial Union of URI at least. We do a lot and, given my position, I do more. But I truly love my job. It is, in my opinion, one of the best job opportunities on campus (if you take advantage of it).
PBN: Can you share any particularly amusing “war stories” from working in such a lively building?
SANCHEZ: The best part about my job is that there is no typical day on the job. No building manager will get the same day twice, and that makes it the most exciting and unpredictable. Most campus jobs end when the semesters do, but I work year round, including winter, summer and spring breaks. During our breaks, we get the tedious things around the building done.
One summer, summer 2009 if I recall correctly, we were moving a couch from the building manager office into storage. By we I mean my supervisor, Joe Berardi, and Steve Messenio, a co-worker. I was just holding doors and directing. I happened to be directly behind Steve when he dropped the couch a little and as he did his pants ripped right down the middle exposing his trunks. I honestly don’t think I have ever laughed as hard as I did that day. I had front row seats to the show, and it was bittersweet.
PBN: Do you have any advice for people in similar positions at other colleges who may look at you as a model because you’ve won the award?
SANCHEZ: Like I tell the building managers in our Student Union, take advantage of the opportunities given to you, whatever they may be. They may shine light or open doors in the right direction. You may meet the right people and create a network that allows you to pursue what you wish to. Work hard at anything and everything you do, and the recognition and reward will come as well.
PBN: Do you have any interest in pursuing a similar job after graduation or using the skills you’ve gained at the Union in some other fashion?
SANCHEZ: This job is an excellent opportunity if you take full advantage of it. I worked my way up to the highest position available for a student employee, and I did this all in a three-semester span, which is the fastest possible. My career of choice is to be a psychologist. Although that has no direct relation to facilities administration, I hope to one day my own practice.
In the near future, I will be going to graduate school and plan on possibly working in a similar setting and position if available in my school of choice. So, hopefully yes, I will continue to use my experience in possibly a similar job. But regardless of what I do, the experience and training I have gained in my position I will be able to use in anything and everything I pursue.
