Employee of the Month
October 2024 Employee of the Month - Marina Brown
Please join us in congratulating Marina Brown as our Campus Recreation Employee of the Month for October 2024!
Marina has been an outstanding employee for SIUE Campus Recreation since November of 2022, when she started as a Member Services attendant working at the Reception Desk and at Equipment Issue. Marina showed excellence in her work ethic, skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm for serving the students of SIUE, which lead her to be chosen as a Student Fitness Center facility supervisor.
According to her current supervisor, Dustin Brakebill, "Marina is a hard worker who is always dedicated to helping things run smoothly and helping her coworkers navigate difficult situations when they arrive. I appreciate Marina’s dedication to her position and her willingness to always ask questions and seek feedback from her supervisors so she can accurately inform her coworkers!"
Marina expects to graduate this December 2024 with a degree in psychology and hopes to eventually obtain a position as a substance abuse counselor. Marina will undoubtably bring the same passion for serving others to this or any career she decides to pursue. When Marina has free time, she enjoys binge watching tv shows and writing poetry.
Marina says that she enjoys working for Campus Recreation because, "The foundation of our job is based on community through which we are able to connect with each other as students and build a network along the way." This statement shows that Marina understands and has a passion for the Mission of SIUE Campus Recreation.
Thank you, Marina, for your dedication and passion for serving the students of SIUE and the members of the Student Fitness Center.
September 2024 Employee of the Month - Lucia Botella Vian
Please join us in congratulating Lucia Botella Vian as our Campus Recreation Employee of the Month for September 2024!
Lucia is originally from Madrid, Spain and has been in the USA, attending SIUE as a nursing student for just two years. She has been working for SIUE Campus Recreation since the start of her time here, starting out as a lifeguard. Last year, Lucia was promoted to our highest position as a facility supervisor, but she still provides key support to our lifeguard team among other areas, thanks to her versatility, training, and certifications. Lucia returned home to Spain earlier this summer and we were so glad to get her back as we prepared to launch into the fall semester with many new staff coming on board. Lucia is now a veteran staff member for us and is entering her second full year as a facility supervisor.
As an international student herself, Lucia brings an excellent level of understanding, awareness, and readiness to assist SIUE’s many international students as they seek to acclimate and embrace, not just a new college, but also a new country, language, and culture. Lucia’s path already demonstrates her sense of adventure to attend college in another country and now she has advanced to be in a leadership position among her peers here at SIUE!
Lucia’s ultimate goal is to work as a hospital emergency room nurse and then continue her medical education to become a physician in the future. Not surprisingly, Lucia loves to travel and watch medical TV shows. She has really enjoyed working at SIUE Campus Recreation because it has helped her gain a lot of experience and knowledge that will help her throughout her life.
Thank you, Lucia, for all that you do to help us fulfill our mission to serve our students and members on their total well-being journey.