Employee Spotlight 2021
December
Pamela Fitchett
Christiansburg, VA
Administrative Assistant for the VP for Finance & Administration
5 1/2 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? The people! Everyone has been so kind and welcoming since I moved here a little over five years ago. Also, I love walking around this beautiful University!
What is one thing on your bucket list? I’ve always thought it would be fun to parachute out of an airplane, but I’m pretty sure I’ll never be brave enough.
What do you do for fun? Reading, watching movies, and enjoying every second that I am able to spend with my three grandchildren, Emma, Ava, and Thomas.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? I can’t think of any one person I would like to be for a day, but I always thought I would like to be a “professional volunteer”. In helping others, the blessings far outweigh anything we are able to give.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? I try to treat everyone in the same manner that I would like to be treated. I’m a hard worker and I’m not afraid to ask questions.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Enjoy what you do and make every day your best day!
November
Brenda Nicewander
Radford, VA
Customer Service Specialist
18 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? Helping students, faculty, staff and visitors with maintenance issues. It is rewarding to leave at the end of the day knowing you made a difference in someone’s day!
What is one thing on your bucket list? I don’t have a bucket list – I am content to be at home.
What do you do for fun? I love to tube or kayak the river, ride ATV in wild and wonderful West Virginia, spend time with my family – especially my 4 grandsons.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? Someone with money – I love to give to others and make people happy. I would love to be able to make a difference in someone’s life that truly needs a hand up.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? My personal strengths include attendance, organization and knowledge. I’ve learned about maintenance issues so I can help with situations that arise.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Make all the connections you can with other people at the University. Developing a rapport with them and knowing you can call on them when needed is a great asset.
October
Ronald Walker
Pulaski, VA
Carpenter
6 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? The flexibity we have to take time off.
What is one thing on your bucket list? Winning the lottery
What do you do for fun? Kayaking, fishing and camping
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? To be the President of the US.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? My ability to get the job done and getting along with others.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Take each day with a grain of salt.
September
Guy Rhodes
Blacksburg, VA
Capital Outlay Project Manager
8 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? I enjoy the challenges associated with the construction of new capital projects and seeing the reactions of the faculty, staff and students when they get to see and occupy their new spaces for the first time.
What is one thing on your bucket list? I don’t have a bucket list.
What do you do for fun? I like to spend time with my family and grandkids, eating good food and enjoying good wine.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? I’d like to be my younger self on my first day at college and be able to know what I know today.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? My ability to communicate well is a critical part of my daily interaction with others.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Life is too short to be separated from family and friends. Resolve your differences and those things that keep you apart.
August
Earl West
Christiansburg, VA
Utility Worker
38 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? The many benefits that are available to employees.
What is one thing on your bucket list? I would like to visit Andy Griffith’s hometown, Mount Airy.
What do you do for fun? I enjoy working out.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? I would like to be the best version of myself for a day.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? My most important strength is my ability to think positive all of the time.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? I would advise other employees to work hard and always do the right thing.
July
Laura Viers
Glasgow, VA
Title IX Investigator
4 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? The people!
What is one thing on your bucket list? Travel to Italy
What do you do for fun? Spend time with family, travel, read and plan my next beach vacation.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? It would be a toss-up between Dolly Parton and Betty White.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? I think my ability to meet people “where they are” is extremely important in my role.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Focus on developing your professional skills and take advantage of the opportunities Radford University has to offer.
June
Allison Gallimore
Snowville, VA
Administrative Assistant
2 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? The people! I have felt nothing but welcomed since my first day here at Radford. I have met so many wonderful people and I love being a part of their team.
What is one thing on your bucket list? Graduate from Radford University.
What do you do for fun? Too many things. 😊 Playing with my kids, fishing, canning, crafting, any DIY project..
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? Alison Krauss
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? I’m a fast learner and I like to help others. If I don’t know the answer, I will do my best to find it for you. I have loved being able to expand my knowledge here at Radford and have the opportunity to utilize my talents.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? “Whatever you are, be a good one.” Abraham Lincoln Take advantage of the many benefits offered as an employee here at Radford. It’s never too late to further your education and be the best you can be.
May
John M. Garnett
Radford, VA
Housekeeper-Dedmon Center
9 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? The people and seeing the students grow.
What is one thing on your bucket list? I would like to travel to Hawaii and Europe.
What do you do for fun? I like watching old movies.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? I would like to be a movie actor for a day..
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? I take pride in what I do.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Be committed to your job.
April
Felicia McMillan
Fairlawn, VA
Payment Plan Coordinator
29 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? I absolutely love working with students and parents. I like to interact with them, make sure that their questions and answers are handled to their satisfaction. I also want to make sure that I have given them 100% of my time and to ensure them that Radford University is the best place for them to be. I will do anything to make them happy. I want them to know we are listening, and we care.
What is one thing on your bucket list? I have so many things I would like to do, however onne thing I would like to do is to visit the White House. It would be so interesting to see inside knowing that our President’s from past and present have lived there. What stories those walls could tell us.
What do you do for fun? I love to visit and play with my grandchildren; go camping with my husband; spend time with family and friends; play basketball with my nephews; be outside and enjoy God’s beauty.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? I am pretty content with being myself but if I could be someone else for a day it would be my mom. She was so beautiful, and she loved the Lord and her family. She was always willing to be there and provide whatever you might need. To me this speaks volumes in so many ways. She made the world a better place.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? I consider myself friendly person, I try to keep a positive attitude, I am willing to be a team member and help others, I will jump in and help wherever needed, I try to be a detective when helping students and parents to avoid them being forwarded all over campus. I am personable and trustworthy, and I like to be professional and cheerful.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Always stay true to yourself, have a positive attitude and a smile. Be willing to help others and stay focused. Also, be patient and be your best always. The most important advice I could give is to “Believe in yourself.”
March
Shairan G. Araiza
Floyd, VA
Communications Supervisor
31 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? It’s a beautiful campus and family oriented.
What is one thing on your bucket list? Going on a cruise to a tropical location with clear blue water.
What do you do for fun? Have a girl's day with my daughters.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? Be a Make a Wish grantor for adults and children.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? I always try to do my best at accomplishing my goals! I also try to have a positive outlook on most things and treat everyone with kindness.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? You should always have job that you love to do. Because when you are working, it will be something you enjoy doing and you will have a great feeling of satisfaction from your accomplishments.
February
David Halpin
Salem, VA
Instructional Designer/Technical Trainer
1 year of dedicated service at RUC and 10 years at the former JCHS
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? Getting to work with many of the same folks I worked with at Jefferson College while also getting to work with many new folks at RUC and the main campus. I love the commitment and dedication I see from so many people who have been with Radford for so long.
What is one thing on your bucket list? Travel with my wife and daughter through southeast Asia.
What do you do for fun? Spend time with my four-year-old daughter, which currently involves reading lots of books, playing with trains, and spending time outdoors. When she’s asleep, I work on photography and music.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? The Dalai Lama
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? Patience and perseverance.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? You bring a unique set of knowledge and skills to the university. Freely share your knowledge and skills with others. Try to go home every day feeling like you have made someone’s life a little better or eased their burden a bit.
January
Donald Fisher
Boones Mill, VA
FM-Surplus Warehouse
25 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? The people!
What is one thing on your bucket list? To go to Hawaii.
What do you do for fun? Read, watch TV and play with my dogs.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? I would like to be Papa Fisher (grandfather).
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? I am a good worker and team player.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? A co-worker once told me that we need to take advantage of all the opportunities offered at Radford University.