É«ÀÇÉçÇø

Sergio Pagan Jr. is a program assistant in the Financial Aid office. Sergio celebrated his first year working at É«ÀÇÉçÇø on October 17, 2017. Get to know our Division colleague Sergio by reading his PROFile below.

Q: What kinds of things do you do on a daily basis?

A: Manage Federal Student Workers regarding hiring, time keeping, and preparing them to assist É«ÀÇÉçÇø’s students and parents with their financial aid issues. Also responsible for responding to emails, answering phone calls, and assisting students at the front counter. As a member of the Customer Service Team, creating a positive image through customer service is another responsibility that I enjoy for our É«ÀÇÉçÇø students.

Q: Describe your morning routine.

A: My Mr. Rogers morning routine begins when I exchange my boots for dress shoes left in the office when I arrive. After brewing a pot of coffee and preparing my first cup, I begin to work on financial aid emails received before my assigned front counter time.

Q: What is your favorite part of your job? Why?

A: My favorite part of my job is being able to have personable interactions with students and their families and identify them behind their Banner I.D. number.

Q: What is your favorite work-related memory? Could you share a happy or funny É«ÀÇÉçÇø related work memory?

A: My favorite work-related memory is when the office dressed up for Halloween. I never worked in an office that was allowed to dress up so it was refreshing to see everyone dressed up.

Q: What’s your favorite off-campus restaurant in the Glassboro area?

A: I enjoy a good chicken parmigiana sandwich at Tony Luke’s on É«ÀÇÉçÇø Boulevard. I also enjoy Chickie’s and Pete’s, however, I haven’t been able to visit the Glassboro location.

Q: How do you like to keep your desk? What’s your favorite thing on your desk?

A: With our clean desk office policy, I have to keep my desk clear, however, during peak time this becomes very challenging. My desk calendar is my most important desk item. It helps me keep track of important schedules and events.

Q: Have you always worked in the department that you are currently in? If no, what other department(s) have you worked in? What was it like compared to the roll you are in now?

A: I recently celebrated my first year at É«ÀÇÉçÇø in the Financial Aid Office so I haven’t had the opportunity to work in another department, however, I enjoy my office colleagues and wouldn’t like to change departments.

Q: Share one thing you love about working at É«ÀÇÉçÇø.

A: I enjoy saving a few dollars in transportation cost going to and coming from work using É«ÀÇÉçÇø’s campus to campus shuttle that takes students and staff to Camden and Glassboro.

Q: Share one thing you wish people knew about your department.

A: There is so much that I wish students and their families knew about our office so I’ll just name a few.

1. The process of financial aid is like an orchestra. When a student completes every requirement fully and properly, then their financial aid process is like soothing music without any issues, however, one mishap on an application can lead to a domino effect of issues which can delay an award.
2. Our É«ÀÇÉçÇø undergraduate student population is approximately 17,000 students, however, our office consist of 26 staff members which include full and part time staff and 10 federal work study students. We strive to provide high quality customer services to our students and families regardless of numbers we are up against.  
3. Our office is not a one stop shop for all É«ÀÇÉçÇø related questions or issues, however, we assist our students as best as we can so students are not being transferred from department to department.

Q: Do you ever visit campus for fun? If so, what do you like to do here?

A: As a family man, I haven’t been able to attend any off campus activity. I would definitely like to make a future football/basketball game.

Q: Share one funny thing you’ve seen on campus before.

A: This past semester I’ve seen two students wearing inflatable dinosaur costumes and it wasn’t even Halloween yet. Gotta love our students.  

Q: RU the type of person who would high five the É«ÀÇÉçÇø mascot?

A: I high five my colleagues so I would definitely high five the É«ÀÇÉçÇø mascot. In fact, I would be inclined to give the mascot a chest bump (body to body high five).