Dawn Cittadino-Santiago at her office. Photo by Grace Christopher.

The Tangerine’s “Behind U”staff spotlight highlights the people who support and serve the Utica University community every day. This week’s profile features Dawn Cittadino-Santiago, Administrative Assistant III in the HEOP office. 

Where are you from?

I lived in Utica until I was 10 and then moved to New Hartford and still live there.

How long have you worked at Utica University? 

I’ve been here since 2007 so it’s been 17 years and in this office for the entire 17 years.

What does your job entail?

My title is administrative assistant but that does not entail all that I do. Office management is more so what I do overall. I monitor all the traffic flow in the office and assist my director with managing budgetary expenses. I also assist the counselors as well as the director with purchasing any necessary supplies and food services for events and workshops. I do have a second second position and work for Judy Borner 25% of my day. I recruit and hire and process payroll for the learning services scribes/ notetakers and assist them with a small grant. I assist with monitoring the expenses for that grant and purchasing.

What is a typical day like for you?

This is a very busy office. We are very student-centered. We look at our program students like family. We always want them to feel welcome because when students feel comfortable and welcome, students can express themselves better. It’s easier to get students here when they feel that we are with them not against them. We like to make it feel very homey and that’s easy to see when you walk in because we have the coffee bar and snacks. The kids monopolize most of our time in the office, mine included. Although I have a job to do, they are the reason I’m here, period point blank. They are the majority of what we focus on although work needs to get done.  

What is the best part of your job?

What makes me want to come to work everyday is the students and I enjoy the people I work with. I feel like the students keep me current and relevant and I enjoy the different personalities. When I first started working here, passing by each classroom door for the first time literally gave me the chills because I listened to the professors and knew that such amazing things happened here. You get so much more out of this than high school and college prepares you for a big part of adulthood, which makes me feel that what we do is valuable. I watch students start fresh and then grow. Many students call me Mama Dawn because they are like family.

Does the job bring many challenges?

It could get loud and overwhelming because it’s a small space for the amount of students who like to spend time here. Quiet time is sparse but I’ve learned to multi-task and work despite the noise, especially with my office being in the center of everything.

What makes Utica University special?

Less of a chance of students getting overlooked because of small class sizes and not getting overlooked by staff. Offices are more attuned to students’ needs because it’s a small campus with more individualized care.

What do you enjoy in your free time?

Relaxing and spending time with family, supplying whatever they need from me. I take being a mother very seriously and I enjoy being a mother.