I Spy: Suzanna Menard soothes the troubled
Suzanna Menard is “the voice every parent wants to hear” when calling Coastal Carolina University’s University Housing with a problem.
Menard, area operations assistant for University Housing, deals with all kinds of problem scenarios daily. But they are no bother. She has a certain finesse when it comes to finding solutions, and she's a natural at customer service.
“She is able to calm nerves, relieve worries and help incoming and even returning students understand the housing process,” says University Housing student worker Lindsay Hickman, who proudly nominated Menard for “I Spy.”
Menard’s duties are to oversee student workers in Ingle Hall, field all calls to the University Housing office, manage the 24-hour desk, complete vital paperwork and hold various meetings for the housing supervisors. And that’s just the beginning of her job.
“Throughout my day, I’ll make sure we have all the keys, all residents are safe, and I process paperwork when a student is moving,” says Menard. “I regularly hold student success team meetings, too.”
Hickman adds, “This past season Suzanna gave ideas for how to decorate our offices for the Homecoming office decorations contest.” The front desk was made to look like a ship with cardboard waves. On the windows, it read “shipwrecked in TEAL Nation” on a blue cardboard sky.
Aside from the professional tasks, Menard is there for her student workers in other ways.
“We have all felt comfortable sharing stories related to our day or our lives,” says Hickman. “She is never too busy for us.”
Menard is no stranger to the TEAL nation either. She graduated from CCU in 2013 with a degree in communication and a minor in journalism. When she isn’t working, she’s attending graduate classes at CCU.
“I’m in the master of arts and liberal studies program here,” she says. “I love working in the university environment, and I see myself doing this for a long time.”
“She is diligent,” says Menard’s supervisor, Kathryn Mortensen. “She strives to make sure the environment is a professional one, but still leaves room to make it fun for the student workers.”
Originally from Grand Blanc, Mich., Menard transferred to CCU at the end of her freshman year. She lives with her two children Ella, 4, and Lucas, 2, in Myrtle Beach.
“My favorite part of this job is working with the students,” says Menard. “I was a student worker when I went to school here and after graduation when the area operations assistant position opened, I was happy I had a reason to stay at CCU.”
“I Spy” is an employee recognition program of the Office of Training and Development whereby staff and faculty nominate someone for extraordinary service.
