MEET RHS

We will succeed individually only when we are passionate about prospering as a team. Following are just a few of our Residential and Hospitality Services team!

Meet Epiy Torres
University Apartments Maintenance Worker
A maintenance worker and martial arts aficionado, Epiy Torres grew up watching “Kung Fu” on TV and went on to own his own martial arts studio in Lansing, Mich. As the only instructor at “Epiy’s School of Self Defense,” he taught a combo of tae kwon do, kickboxing and other martial arts techniques for more than 10 years. Epiy has been with the Division for 18 years, starting as a building service worker at the Brody Complex and moving to University Apartments three years ago. He is responsible for maintenance work in the apartments and handling customer requests as needed.

On Delivering Outstanding Spartan Experiences:

“University Apartments has more of an international community; residents are a little older and some are married with children. Sometimes they’re out of their element, and they just need someone to smile and say ‘hello.’ Since coming here, I’ve learned greetings in nine to 10 languages. I just took the time to learn the different greetings and use them. It really closes the gap and makes a difference.”

Meet Pam Rahall
Marketing Communications Office Assistant
When she’s not providing service with a smile at the front desk of Marketing Communications, Pam Rahall is out at a 4H Club animal show cheering on her daughters and their horses. Pam even makes some of the outfits her daughters wear at the shows. Managing client billing, paperwork, supplies and the office schedule as office assistant at Marketing Communications, Pam is the glue that holds the department together. She began as a permanent part-time employee at the office seven years ago and started working full-time last year.

On Delivering Outstanding Spartan Experiences:

“I try to treat everyone that comes through our office with kindness and respect, be they a client, co-worker or student employee. The student part of it is really important, too. We all talk about being really kind to our student customers, but student employees are a really important part of that — especially when you’re working with them on a regular basis.”

Meet Xavier Mendez
Food Stores Warehouse Attendant
It’s no wonder Xavier Mendez is always ready to demonstrate his work ethic and help out where needed. From milking cows on a farm, to working in retail and road construction, he has ample experience, having worked in various jobs since he was 13-years-old. A warehouse attendant at Food Stores since August 2005, Xavier is responsible for receiving the warehouse products, preparing orders for delivery, and delivering products to the residence halls.

On Delivering Outstanding Spartan Experiences:

“I think, number one, you’ve got to care for the customers. Whatever their needs are, I put mine aside and do it with a smile and integrity. Let them know that they are important and that this is not just a job to us here.”

Meet Carol Johnson
State Room Food Service Worker
Carol Johnson is not only committed to serving her customers at The State Room, she’s committed to serving her community and our nation’s veterans. She’s an active member of the American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries and does work for homeless veterans statewide. She’s even engaged Kellogg Center staff in an ongoing collection of Campbell’s soup and food product labels for the VFW National Home for Children. She collected and clipped 4,000 labels last year alone! Carol has been a server at The State Room for almost 13 years. Before joining the Division, she was a Japanese cook’s assistant in a Japanese/American kitchen in her hometown of Howell, Mich.

On Delivering Outstanding Spartan Experiences:

“I just treat people the way that I would like to be treated. After waiting on them a couple times, you know what some customers like, such as heated cream for their coffee. Some people like their toast buttered — you try to recognize them. I don’t always remember their names very well, but I just try to remember the little things and anticipate their needs.”

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