What is your routine for the first few hours of your day?
For the first few hours of my day, I’m checking the machine rooms. That includes checking the building heat and domestic water pumps, hot water pumps, and heaters, followed by checking the residence hall floors and looking at lights and doors for general repairs.
What is one piece of advice you wish you had received earlier in your career?
Fortunately, I have been given good advice from my father: “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” I interpret this as cleaning your work area and keeping it organized so that you can be more efficient with your job. And it starts with making your bed in the morning.
What is your favorite campus dining hall meal?
Heitz House Dining Center Mongolian Grill is my favorite, and I like the stir-fry chicken. They also have brick oven pizza. It’s on the west side of campus, but it’s worth the walk, and the dining area is a little less crowded.
What is something that someone has done for you lately for which you were most grateful?
I had a coworker nominate me for the Staff Excellence in University Service Award. I won the award, and it was overwhelming that someone noticed my work and took the time to write a letter on my behalf. I am truly grateful to John for nominating me.
What tool does every campus housing pro need to know how to use, and when was the last time you used one?
TMA, Time Management Assistance. TMA allows the hall director, resident assistants, and students to go online to submit work orders to their building mechanics. TMA allows me to track the work orders and order parts to make repairs in a timely manner.
What hobby would you pursue if time and money were no object?
Trains. I still have my Lionel Train set from the ‘70s. I love to set up a train yard and town using my experience from working in construction and my woodworking skills. There is a lot of creativity in how much you can build with tracks, tunnels, and countryside with bridges.
What is your favorite tradition from any campus where you have worked?
House Calls: The House Calls program is designed to reach out to residential students and give them an opportunity to interact with faculty, staff, and administrators on a more personal level. During the event, faculty and staff volunteer to go door-to-door within a residence hall, joined by a resident assistant, to check in with students on the floor. It’s an additional opportunity to welcome students to campus, hand out goodies, answer questions, and help connect them to resources.
What song do you count on to hype you up to start the day or help you celebrate at the end of a long one?
Huey Lewis and the News, “Workin’ for a Livin’.”
Jim Huelskamp is a maintenance technician II within residence life, housing and dining services at Missouri State University in Springfield. Would you like to see yourself or a colleague included in the Snapshot column? Complete the questions on this form or share the link with someone you think we should get to know better.