Student Development Spotlight

Behind the scenes of one of the busiest buildings on campus, Marilee Lopez plays a vital role as a Building Supervisor at the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC). Each day, the ARC welcomes an average of 3,000 users, many of whom consider it a second home. For Marilee and other Member Services student employees, the ARC truly becomes a home away from home, a place where strong friendships are built and extend well beyond the workplace.

Marilee began her Campus Recreation journey as an entry-level Recreation Attendant at the ARC, supporting equipment checkout, facility upkeep, and assisting members. When the opportunity arose to apply for the Building Supervisor position, a managerial role within the unit, she leaned into encouragement from friends and colleagues and decided to take a leap. Reflecting back, Marilee remarked “if you had asked me as a freshman, I never would have seen myself in this leadership position”. However, she defied her own odds, channeled the Nike spirit of “just do it”, and submitted her application.

As she stepped into this new level of responsibility, Marilee was tasked with managing a 150,000 square foot facility, overseeing 6+ staff members, and supporting countless members. Reflecting on her first solo shift she shared how challenging it was to suddenly be the person others looked to for answers, “it’s a lot of responsibility all at once and you have to make some gametime decisions”. Over time, as she grew more confident in her role, she felt empowered to address member concerns, resolve facility issues, and lead her peers.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Marilee’s role is watching entry-level staff gain confidence in themselves and fully understand the importance of their roles. Having once been in their shoes, she values the opportunity to mentor others and share her experiences to help shape the next era of Building Supervisors, as the staff before her did. Her biggest piece of advice for those stepping into the role is to lead with confidence and patience. “When you’re confident in your knowledge, people are more willing to approach you for help and believe what you’re saying,” she shared. Confidence sets the tone and patience can help you slow down a situation to respond in a more thoughtful way.

Beyond her connections with coworkers, Marilee finds fulfillment in building relationships with the members. Taking the time to connect “human to human”, especially with those new to the facility, can make a lasting impact. A welcoming face or kind interaction can go a long way and seeing members grow more confident in the space is especially rewarding knowing she played a part in their wellness journey.

Now a recent graduate with her degree in animal science, Marilee plans to carry the leadership, communication, and management skills she developed through Campus Recreation into her future career. Her time at the ARC has not only shaped her professional growth, but also leaves a lasting impact on the staff who follow in her footsteps.