Colleagues Across Campus
In our “Colleagues Across Campus” series, as part of our Staff Spirit Week celebrations, we’re highlighting a few of the staff members who help bring Yale’s mission to life!
Monday, June 3: Breaking down barriers
Tequetta Valeriano, Research Program Manager, School of Nursing
Time in current role: 1 year and 9 months
Years at Yale: 9 years
How would you describe your role? What’s your day-to-day like?
I’m responsible for the program management functions that support various research initiatives within the High Impact Field Based Interventions (HiFi) lab at the School of Nursing. Specifically, my team is supporting Dr. LaRon Nelson’s work to help end the HIV epidemic. Dr. Nelson is leading a study focused on reducing rising HIV rates in the southern United States among Black men who have sex with men, by breaking down social and structural barriers to improve access to care.
To support that project, I lead a team of research associates who are based in the communities that are part of the study, across several Southern states. The team is currently focused on training the health care facilities in their area that will be supporting this initiative. In addition to being our “boots on the ground,” this team also helps with other research needs across various projects, along with other members of my team.
There are many components to managing the research projects my team supports. I wear many hats—from oversight of our progress and deliverables, to coordinating with consultants and vendors, and managing the budget. It’s a lot, but it’s incredibly rewarding!
What do you like best about your job?
There are many things I like about my job; it’s hard to narrow it down to one! If I had to pick one, I’d say it’s the chance to work on different research projects that are helping to bring an end to the HIV epidemic. HIV/AIDS has been an issue since the 80s, and our HiFi lab is playing a really meaningful role in finding the solutions we need.
What’s one of your favorite work memories?
One of my favorite work memories was when I attended an HIV-related conference and saw one of the largest projects that I currently work on come across the screen on the main stage. It reassured me that the community is behind the project and is spreading the word about this initiative coming to five communities in the south.
What do you like best about working at Yale?
I’m able to learn so much and advance in my career. I first started out as a research assistant and am now a research program manager.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I love traveling and seeing new places
Who would you like to recognize or give a shoutout to during Staff Appreciation Week?
The entire HiFi (High Impact Field Based Interventions) lab and our leader, Dr. LaRon Nelson.
Tuesday, June 4: Keeping the lights on
Brian Gore, Facilities Operations Service Center Specialist, Facilities
Time in current role: 21 years
Years at Yale: 21 years
How would you describe your role? What’s your day-to-day like?
I receive requests for routine and emergency maintenance or repairs for buildings across campus and initiate the response to ensure the repairs are made. Those requests can come in over the phone, online, or as an alert from the Building Automation System if it detects an issue in a specific space. Along with utilizing the Building Automation System, I also monitor, analyze, and control the HVAC systems and associated equipment throughout the university.
What do you like best about your job?
I really enjoy getting to monitor and troubleshoot building automation alarms when they occur. For example, if a room needs to be at a certain temperature and it drops below that, I’ll get the alarm, investigate to figure out what the issue is, and then reach out to the right team to help fix it. I like having the chance to work with a vast number of individuals across all three campuses.
Describe one of your favorite work memories.
One of my favorite work memories is when I first started and was introduced to one of my former co-workers. She was friendly, approachable, and very welcoming. I was able to ask questions, get up to speed quickly, and contribute meaningfully to the team.
What attracted you to Yale?
It’s a renowned institution with a long history of excellence and a staple in the community.
What do you like best about working at Yale?
I enjoy having the opportunity to work with a diverse group of employees. I also like working for Yale because of all the opportunities for growth—and the amazing benefits!
What’s a fun fact about you?
My favorite movie is “The Godfather,” which I’ve seen numerous times. Whenever I see it on TV, like a famous line in the movie, “when I think I’m out, they pull me back in.”
Who would you like to recognize or give a shoutout to during Staff Spirit Week?
I would like to send a shoutout to my co-workers and my supervisor, along with all the facilities responders, superintendents, and their staff.
Wednesday, June 5: Menus for the multitudes
Michelle Buckholz, Meal Plan Program Coordinator, Yale Hospitality
Time in current role: 6 years
Years at Yale: 10 years
How would you describe your role? What’s your day-to-day like?
My primary responsibilities are to create and maintain meal plans for more than 10,000 students, faculty, and staff on campus. I also maintain records for billing all student, faculty, and staff meal plans. I’m the primary contact for all students, parents, faculty, and staff who have questions about meal plans, billing, or just general dining questions. In addition to meal plans, I support the Hospitality business office with other financial work as well as student events.
What do you like best about your job?
I like that I have an opportunity to work with students, faculty, and staff campuswide. Each day brings something new, and Hospitality is a big part of so many great events like our holiday dinners, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, and one of my favorite events, Commencement.
What’s one of your favorite work memories?
One of my favorite memories was working during Commencement weekend. I was right in front of the Schwarzman Center, helping to distribute Commencement lunch tickets and answering questions about dining during the Commencement celebrations. It was so exciting to be around all the graduates and their families during this great moment in their lives.
What attracted you to Yale?
As a lifelong resident of New Haven, I liked the idea of working at a place that is a big part of the city I call home and that offers so many opportunities and benefits to their employees.
What do you like best about working at Yale?
I like to think that I play a small role in supporting all the great things that happen at Yale. I love walking the beautiful campus, meeting and working with so many interesting people, and the opportunity for advancement and change.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I like to hula hoop!
Who would you like to recognize or give a shoutout to during Staff Spirit Week?
I would like to give a big shoutout to all Hospitality workers that work on campus every day—rain or shine!
Thursday: Savvy shopper
Fran Consiglio, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Procurement
Time in current role: 23 years
Years at Yale: 27 years
How would you describe your role? What’s your day-to-day like?
I’m a strategic sourcing manager for research and medical equipment and instrumentation. My day is made up of selecting, evaluating, and managing vendor accounts. I review quotes and contracts to ensure they comply with university and federal policies. I strive to negotiate and secure the best overall value for Yale, both at time of purchase and throughout the life of the contract. It may sound boring, but it is super exciting!
What do you like best about your job?
Everything! Talking to, learning from, and interacting with researchers, faculty, and staff throughout the university. Negotiating—everything is negotiable and often obtainable! Every day is different and exciting. There’s always a new experience and challenge just waiting for me around the corner.
What’s one of your favorite work memories?
In the many years I’ve been at Yale, I can’t say I have a ‘favorite memory.’ I could honestly say that 98% of my memories are, in one way or the other, a favorite memory of mine. I’ve met some of my dearest friends here at Yale. Their original titles may have been doctor, professor, director, and colleague, but their new titles are “friend!” Although I have physically worked on two of our three campuses, I’ve been fortunate to witness and, in some small manner, be part of the growth and transformation of all three campuses. That alone has been an AMAZING journey!
Speaking of witnessing transformations, when I started in Purchasing, requisitions were submitted on three-part NCR paper (“No Carbon Required,” for those who are too young to know what NCR means). POs were printed out on blue, yellow, canary, or green paper, (depending on the year), and submitted to the supplier via a fax machine. 25 years later, it’s all handled through a software interface and the click of a computer mouse. I look back over my many memories and smile, for I have been blessed with so many.
What attracted you to Yale?
When I was in college, just up the hill from Yale at Albertus Magnus, I took a class at the Yale School of Management, which was on the corner of Sachem and Prospect at the time. The professor started one of his classes by saying, “You don’t just receive an education from Yale, you become empowered to make a difference and impact on the world.” I knew then and there that somehow, I was going to work at Yale.
What do you like best about working at Yale?
The endless facets of diversity: three very distinct and yet inclusive campuses, the people, the buildings, the cultures, the arts, the sciences, the opportunities, and the collaborations that allow dreams to become reality and curiosity to become cures.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I really enjoy cooking and entertaining. My grandmother was the original owner of Sally’s Apizza and her brother, my uncle Frank, was the original owner of Pepe’s Pizzeria.
Who would you like to recognize or give a shoutout to during Staff Spirit Week?
There are so many: my director, Joseph Kerley; my sourcing colleagues; the buying team; the purchasing assistants—really, the entire procurement team! They are all amazing and always there when needed!
Friday: The man behind the curtain
Brian Pagan, Access Control Technical Assistant, Yale Public Safety
Time in current role: 12 years
Years at Yale: 12 years
How would you describe your role? What’s your day-to-day like?
My role is responsible for managing security system programming for the university access control systems as well as the intrusion alarm systems. We monitor and support requests for changes as they relate to ID card access, door schedules, construction, and building renovations. We work closely with administrators from every department across campus to design and program access plans for all university buildings, with a focus on security best practices.
What do you like best about your job?
I truly enjoy working at Yale for many reasons, one of which is working with people. Even though our job is just like the Wizard of Oz (the man behind the curtain pushing buttons no one sees), I have met and worked with countless people that I’ve had the pleasure of helping. There’s something to be said for the satisfaction of creating and implementing something for the entire Yale community.
Describe one of your favorite work memories.
When we had a huge snowstorm during the winter of 2012, many of us were “stuck” here because our primary responsibility is to the Yale community. When we were all dug out and life returned to normal, I returned to my desk to find students had written thank you notes and sent cookies and candy. That still makes me smile to this day.
What attracted you to Yale?
After I had a successful career with the finest police department in the world (NYPD), I felt I could do something entirely different with the greatest university in the world.
What do you like best about working at Yale?
I truly enjoy the comradery. Yale tends to be a place that has a true sense of community and cares about its employees. I love that it is a place that is innovative and welcomes forward thinking.
What’s a fun fact about you?
Being a true New Yorker—born, bred, raised, schooled, and having worked for the city—I was a pizza snob. Well, I’m here to say I’ve tried countless pizzas and New Haven is where it’s at!
Who would you like to recognize or give a shoutout to during Staff Spirit Week?
My entire department deserves a shoutout. We have become this amazing team that not only works together but are also friends.