May 18, 2022
Contact: Deidra Ashley, ashleyde@missouri.edu
Andrea Simmons
Senior program manager, Mizzou MedPrep
Years at Mizzou: 17
Why I love working at Mizzou: I love working with the students and seeing them reach their goals and become physicians. It’s motivating and inspirational for me as I work to continue to grow our program.
Favorite Mizzou memory: One of our diversity and inclusion programs is four weeks online and then the students come to campus for a campus activity day. Last year, all of the medical students broke out singing karaoke — “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys. It was so fun.
Charles Holland
Director of Jefferson Farms, Family Impact Center, MU Extension
Years at Mizzou: 15
Why I love working at Mizzou: My job allows me to do a little bit of everything. It changes every day and never gets boring. I really like helping Missourians succeed.
Favorite Mizzou memory: I have a lot of good memories from my time as a student — playing tournaments at the Mizzou bowling alley.
Lei Francisco
Business manager, Student Affairs
Years working at Mizzou: 11
Why I love working at Mizzou: I love working with our students!
Favorite Mizzou memory: There are so many. I was a student-athlete who played volleyball, and many of my favorite memories come from my time with the team. The road trips, games and practices helped me grow so close with my teammates. The athletic department helped me strike a balance between my schoolwork and volleyball. It set me up for success in my career today.
Erik Potter
Fellowships advisor, Office of Fellowships and Advanced Studies
Years working at Mizzou: 10
Why I love working at Mizzou: I love working at Mizzou because it allows me to do meaningful work helping students achieve their dreams and goals — here on campus and in the future.
Favorite Mizzou memory: I’m in this to do work that helps students. I want to help them make a better life for themselves, know who they are and achieve their dreams … So, when that happens, and a student sends me an email that says, “I got this award — thank you!” … those are my favorite moments.
Jacob Clifford
Officer, MU Police Department
Years at Mizzou: 7
Why I love working at Mizzou: I always wanted to be a cop. When I was in high school, I looked up to our school resource officer. He was a mentor and educator who helped people who needed him the most. At Mizzou, I get to do the same kind of thing and help our students as they transition into adulthood. Being a campus police officer is so much more than enforcement and writing tickets. That’s part of it, but our goal is to protect and serve.
Favorite Mizzou memory: I love teaching self-defense classes. It’s rewarding to see people realize how strong they are, how powerful they are and how loud they can be. Watching them grow in confidence makes me feel like I’m making a difference.
Mohamed Shahin
Deputy ADA coordinator, Office of Accessibility
Years at Mizzou: 5
Why I love working at Mizzou: I love working at Mizzou because it’s a big family, people are very welcoming and the culture is one of inclusion. It’s like working in a small city, but that family spirit means everyone is supporting one another.
Favorite Mizzou memory: One that I hold dear is from my first month on the job: My wheelchair broke down and my director came more than a half a mile to push me up the hill back to our office. My team jumped in to try and fix my chair, and I ultimately got home safely and got my chair fixed. It just goes to show that when you need help at Mizzou, you’ll find it.
Mauricia Lopez
Custodian, Campus Facilities
Years working at Mizzou: 2.5
Why I love working at Mizzou: I like talking to the other people — students and my co-workers. I get to work with a lot of people from my own country, and my area has people from all over the world. You get to talk with them and learn from them.
Favorite Mizzou Memory: Last Christmas, we did a gift exchange at work. Some of them were really funny. I just enjoyed spending time with my co-workers.
Sophie Hood
Student support specialist, Student Diversity Initiatives
Time at Mizzou: Seven months
Why I love working at Mizzou: I like working for the Women’s Center and the LGBTQ Resource Center because I love being in touch with those students, especially since I identify with those centers. I get to meet new people and make connections, and I’m always learning.
Favorite Mizzou memory: Being able to be a part of my first Women’s History Month and Pride Month at Mizzou.
Anna Schulz
Outreach coordinator, MizzouRec
Time at Mizzou: Seven months
Why I love working at Mizzou: I enjoy interacting with and getting to know the students, faculty and staff around campus. I love working alongside my co-workers to showcase different MizzouRec offerings at various community and campus events, such as the staff carnival.
Favorite Mizzou memory: We get to work a lot of fun events, including Spring Roar — where the MizzouRec professional staff hosted an awards banquet for our student staff workers.
Hawaa Fayed
Student research assistant
Time at Mizzou: Four months
Why I love working at Mizzou: Because I’m a student as well as a research assistant, I get a very flexible schedule. Mizzou is a great environment for research, and I’m looking forward to starting my own research projects and hopefully continuing my studies here in graduate school.
Favorite Mizzou memory: Every time I’m in the lab is memorable. My mentor and peers are great to work with, and I’m learning so much.
