| For Staff Council’s Wilson, AU is home away from home
Photo by Jeff Watts |
Recently, Kelvin Wilson relocated from Baltimore to Washington. It was a smart move, he said, given how much time he spends on campus. “Between work and classes and the gym,” said Wilson, manager of the Anderson Computing Complex, “I’m here all the time!” Wilson, a former high school math teacher in the Prince George’s County Public Schools system, is tasked with meeting many of the AU community’s technology needs. In Anderson, alone, he’s responsible for nearly 150 computers; Wilson also oversees three satellite labs in the dorms and manages the printing needs for all of the university’s computer facilities. “I’m a people person,” said Wilson, who’s been at AU for about five years. “I really enjoy working with the young people and the faculty and staff who use the labs.” Wilson’s people skills made him a perfect candidate for Staff Council. He joined the group three years ago because, “I thought it would be a great way to meet people across campus.” “I stayed on Staff Council because I just enjoy being a voice for the staff members I represent,” continued the council cochair. Wilson said the council has been working closely with the Board of Trustees and hopes to get a seat on the board, or at least be represented on different committees. “We want to strengthen the group, so we can become more of a governing body, like the Faculty Senate,” he said. “We want each unit on campus to have a voice. We’ve found that a lot of units on campus are not represented currently on Staff Council.” In order to reach out to those units, Wilson proposed rotating Staff Council meetings—which are always held on main campus—to sites like the Tenley Campus, the Brandywine building, and WCL. His fellow council members agreed; beginning this spring, Staff Council will meet on another campus three times a year. “We want staff, especially staff not on main campus, to come to us with their issues and concerns,” Wilson said. “We hope, by rotating our meetings, they’ll do that.” It turns out that Wilson himself takes full advantage of his main campus location. When he’s not in the computer lab or a Staff Council meeting, he can be found in one of two places: Kogod or the Jacobs Fitness Center. In fall 2005, Wilson was admitted to Kogod, where he’s pursuing a master’s degree in information technology management. “I know this degree will help me grow in my profession,” said Wilson, who expects to graduate next year. “Also, I just love learning.” And he also loves working out. “At least three times a week, I’m in the gym, running or lifting weights. I find it keeps me young,” laughed Wilson. Several years ago, he won AU’s annual bench press contest, lifting an impressive 345 lbs. The move from Baltimore will ensure that Wilson, father to 18-month-old Korin, doesn’t spend what little free time he has on the Beltway. “I’ve got better things to do,” he laughed. —AF |
