Melanie adds value and exemplifies service at BYU because she is much more than just a successful manager over her 100+ student employees, but she is also a mentor, support, guide, and selfless friend to all.
I worked for Melanie for 4 years as a student before I became a full-time employee for BYU, and I truly felt her love, support, and concern for me and saw it spread to the many others that worked for her. She took that time to make sure that I not only knew how to do my job well, or that I had the tools and ability to progress, but most importantly that I knew that both she and especially my Heavenly Father cared about me as a person. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without her support and direction, and I know there are countless others that have passed through that feel the same.
Melanie works hard to maintain 16 Heritage Halls buildings for residents and also the thousands of visitors for camps, and FSY groups that use those buildings every summer. This is an astounding accomplishment on its own, and she not only completes it, but does it well while still supporting and loving her many student employees. It is truly a miracle that she manages to do it all and she is an inspiration for how we at BYU should strive to work hard and love greater no matter our specific responsibilities on campus.
I believe Melanie truly exemplifies all the university’s values, but particularly "Respect and Belonging for All Individuals" and "Accountability and Results."
Melanie exemplifies the value of “Respect and Belonging for All Individuals” through her selfless love for her employees. The wonderful thing about custodial work is it has no prerequisites “so it brings in all kinds of students looking for work, but also belonging. Melanie strived to serve each “no matter their background” equally. Melanie always seemed to be in tune to know when one of her many students needed support and attention, and always made time to talk, or cry, with them. Melanie also makes great efforts to carefully craft each team to ensure each student is with others that help them feel love and belonging. Melanie is an example of this CRITERIA value, but also our Savior, because despite having so many students each is a priority to her on an individual level.
Melanie also exemplifies “Accountability and Results” because she embodies high love with high expectations. As equally as she shows love, she also has very hard conversations to hold students accountable. Despite the challenging topics, students always leave with specific ways to progress forward. When it would be easy to let someone go for their performance, Melanie always works with them to help them grow as an employee and person. By mentoring her students with high expectations and love she is able to foster workers that excel at exceeding customer expectations.