The staff spotlight is a project that the Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC) developed as a way to get to know some of our colleagues a little better. Many thanks to Danielle Dennis, co-chair, who championed this project and the subcommittee members, who compiled and chose the questions.

DISC Communications & Engagement Subcommittee members: Brandon Bates (Campus Dining), Darren Cifelli (Print and Mail Services), Danielle Dennis (Campus Support Services), Renae Hill (Campus Dining), Donna Pilenza (Campus Dining), Chris Warkala (Housing and Real Estate Services), Rie Yamauchi (University Services Administration)

Interviewers

• Marielisa Glass interviewed by Rie Yamauchi (University Services Administration)
• Dawn Gruver interviewed by Renae Hill (Campus Dining)
• Michael Hebditch interviewed by Chris Warkala (Housing and Real Estate Services)
• Dan Spotto interviewed by Danielle Dennis (Campus Support Services)

Some responses have been edited for length

Why do you like working at Princeton?  

Marielisa: Princeton is a great place. The collaborative culture allows us to be part of great and innovative projects.

Dawn: I get to interact with a variety of people in all areas of study and from across the globe. It’s such a diverse group with different backgrounds and a lot of them are new to the United States.

Michael: I enjoy working with the people at the Service Point. I also enjoy some of the oddball interactions I have with students. I had a student call recently asking if he could have a tarantula in his room.

Dan: My work is project driven. So, I never get bored as I’m always working on something new. There are a ton of different systems we use in University Services.

How did you end up at Princeton University?/ What path led you to Princeton University? 

Marielisa: The desire to be part of a group that works together towards a common goal that will make a difference in someone's life. Whether it’s students, staff or community.

Dawn: I worked for the Chief Execuitive Officer of the RWJ Medical School. I oversaw operations and facilities management of laboratories and office spaces, as well as construction and the opening of new research buildings. I ended up at Princeton when I saw the opportunity for the position in HRES. I had a strong interest in real estate operations planning and project management and thought it would be a good opportunity to utilize my background.

Michael:  I worked here during the summers and after I graduated I took a job working in a youth hostel in NYC. I worked and lived at the hostel. I then applied for a job with HRES and started here in 2015.

Dan: Before Princeton University, I worked at Rider University doing similar work. Before that, I worked in the same field but for an insurance company.

What is a surprising fact about you or what are some things people don’t know about you?

Marielisa: I’m an introvert, I love shoes (that I can’t wear on campus, bummer!), and I was born in Dominican Republic.

Dawn: I have a dance and music background. 

Dan: As a side job in college, I dressed up as Frosty the Snowman for a day at the Morristown Mall. I could not see out of the costume so I was shuffling to move and constantly looking down so I would not trip. 

What is your favorite movie, TV show, book, or musical performer? 

Marielisa: Some of my favorite books are “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle and “The Shack” by William P. Young

Dawn: I love live music. More recently I’ve been into country music and going to those concerts.

Michael: I enjoyed an animated series called “Over the Garden Wall”. The episodes were about 15-minutes long but was really well done. As far as music I like a rap artist by the name of Aesop Rock. He is very lyrically dense, and I like his music.

Dan: I am into Sci-Fi movies and shows.  Movies I like: Star Wars and Star Trek. TV show would be Stargate. The last book series I read was by Anne Leckie, and it was called Imperial Radch Trilogy. As far as music goes, I like anything with bagpipes. Lately, I have been listening to Spanish bagpipes.

What do you like to do outside of work?/ What are your hobbies?

Marielisa: I like to spend time with family, listen to music, and dance (behind closed doors of course!). I like to visit different places too.

Dawn: I play the flute and am taking part in line dancing, west coast swing, and the hustle.

Dan: I play the bagpipes. I was in band in high school and someone donated bagpipes to the band, and they asked for a volunteer. I volunteered, and I have been playing ever since.  

What is the best advice you ever received?

Marielisa: Just do it. Everything else is an excuse.

Dawn: It’s more of my daily mantra, but it’s “be part of the reason that someone chooses Princeton.” I always keep this in mind when I meet with faculty for recruitment.

Michael: I worked with someone who told me when I complained about the little things, that what I was doing seemed insignificant. He told me, “every minor upgrade is a major upgrade.” It reminded me that little things add up. Also, my mother always said, “try to leave things a little better than you found them.” I think that’s good advice.

Dan: I had to go to my mom for this question. She said, “go before you leave the house!” When she was a little girl in school, someone asked her the same question and that is how she answered. My grandmother was mortified!

What is your favorite vacation spot or dream destination?

Marielisa: I enjoy visiting St. Thomas.

Dawn: I enjoy beach time and the boardwalk, but my dream destination would be visiting Italy with my son.

Michael: I once spent a month in Israel, and I really enjoyed the port cities of Haifa and Akko. Really beautiful. In Haifa there is a really beautiful place called the Bahai Gardens which I enjoyed.

Dan: Favorite spot would be Singapore. My friend was relocated there. The food was great. I ate at this restaurant called NOX, and it was an immersive experience of eating in the dark. After you ate your meal, you were given a questionnaire, and you had to guess what you thought you ate! 

What is your favorite restaurant?

Marielisa: I love trying different foods and restaurants. If I had to pick a place to visit again it would be Zozo’s at Caneel Bay in St. John. I will never forget the view from that place. The food was amazing.

Michael: I spend a lot of time in NYC. There is a Korean BBQ place on 32nd Street and 7th Avenue called “Let’s Meat” that I go to whenever I can.