My official title is Secretary to the Dean, but my unofficial title is “Chief Cook and Bottle-washer.”  Working with the students in the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management has been an enlightening and rewarding experience.  My duties are diverse and sometimes challenging, but never boring.  While working in the department as the Secretary to the Dean, I also earned my degree in Travel and Tourism Administration in 1998.  When students express concern about a class or exam, chances are I took the same class or a similar exam and I try to offer suggestions or even sympathy, when needed.  I also had many of the current faculty as my professors.

I have been employed at the University for 18 years and have spent the last 6 of it in the Institute of Travel, Hotel and Restaurant Administration, now the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Throughout the years I have seen many changes take place.  The most recent change from an Institute to a College is a testament to the University’s commitment to the College and our program.  The dedicated Dean, faculty and staff all contribute to the highest quality of service we provide our students on a daily basis.

Some of my chief responsibilities in the College are to handle correspondence, address phone inquiries, schedule meetings, classes, seminars, coordinate advisement, make appointments, maintain student’s permanent files, oversee special projects, coordinate printing, supervise special and routine mailings, maintain an inventory of supplies and just be there for students, faculty and Dean when they need me – and that’s just in the morning!  On a more serious note, when students come into the office I am usually the first person they see.  If I can’t answer their questions, I try to direct them to someone who can, whether it be their advisor, an instructor or the Dean.   I like to be able to refer to students by name and try to make them feel comfortable while addressing their concerns.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is to see the students develop into mature and professional individuals.  When the students enter the program as freshmen, often it is the first time they have been away from home. Some become very homesick and go home every weekend and every break.  By the time they become juniors and seniors, it is interesting to see them plan to spend their breaks at the latest hotspots on the globe.  After our students participate in the Engelberg, Study Abroad program, they return to campus as more worldly individuals.  They are always enthusiastic to share their abroad experiences and I am always anxious to hear all about it and see their photo albums.

Preparing for graduation is an on-going process in the department.  We start very early in the academic year preparing forms and processing paperwork for the big day.  When I see the students walk across the stage and receive their diploma, I am proud to have known them and to have been a part of their educational experience.  I am proud of them as they receive their diplomas with the knowledge of their accomplishments and experiences in being graduates of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Niagara University. 

After that, we start the entire process again for the next year.  As I said, never boring.

pan@niagara.edu