Pivoting with excellence: Housekeeping staff continue their spotless record

Community
January 06, 2021

by Brooke Blanton Leith

During a pandemic, proper cleaning is crucial. Fortunately for the St. Mary’s community, the Housekeeping Department went above and beyond even before COVID-19.   

When Housekeeping Superintendent David Campos received coronavirus disinfectant protocols, his response was clear: “We already got it covered.”   

St. Mary's facilities department
From left: Terry Clemons, Mary Leal, and David Campos

Despite the pressure to keep thousands of students, faculty and staff healthy, the team used it as an opportunity to support one another.   

“I’m the type to work side-by-side with my staff,” Campos said. “We’re a family around here — we have to make sure we help each other out.”   

Housekeeping Team Leader Terry Clemons and Housekeeper Mary Leal were among those who stepped up.  

“If you work as a team, you’ll get nothing but positive results,” Clemons said.   

For Leal, she sees her role as part of a bigger mission: “We have to be like ants. We pick up that little crumb and carry it together.”  

And her dedication continues to be unwavering.  

“If we have to clean something 10 times in a day, that’s what we’re here for,” Leal said.

More about how the St. Mary's University community responded to the pandemic:

Pivoting with excellence: Academic Technology Services staff step up to ensure seamless online instruction

Prior to Spring 2020, Academic Technology Services provided Online Teaching Certification to about 12 faculty members each semester. Between April and the start of Fall 2020 classes, a staggering 170 faculty members completed the training.

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Pivoting with excellence: Alumna’s advice as nurse during pandemic: ‘be kinder to one another’

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Pivoting with excellence: Nelson Wolff

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Pivoting with excellence: Rattler Success Center supports students in online learning

At the University made the transition to online, the Rattler Success Center (RSC) was one step ahead, having already begun online tutoring earlier in the 2019-2020 academic year.

Pivoting with excellence: Robbie Bishop-Monroe

In an effort to spotlight those who are Pivoting with Excellence, Gold & Blue sat down with business professor Robbie Bishop-Monroe.

Pivoting with excellence: St. Mary’s community adapts in response to pandemic

At St. Mary’s University, at no time in our history has our ability to succeed as a team been tested as it has amid the COVID-19 pandemic. At no time has our ability to come together ensured the future of the University and our region as we have this year.

Pivoting with excellence: Sung-Tae (Daniel) Kim

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Pivoting with excellence: The Rattler Impact Scholarship awards over $1.2 million to nearly 1,000 students

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Pivoting with excellence: Mask Squad takes on safety measures

Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear masks. The Mask Squad — a group of about 80 St. Mary’s University students who were trained and are committed to the health and safety of every member of our community — have worked to stem the spread of COVID-19 on campus this fall.

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