HHD Staff Profiles Series: Alex Ramirez
Alexandra Ramirez provides Administrative Support to the Center of Achievement through Adapted Physical Activity, and the Brown Center, in the Department of Kinesiology. She is also an alum, having completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology/Exercise Science in 2018. While working on the degree, she held an internship at the Center, and when that was finished, she was hired as a student assistant for the final semester of her degree program. After graduation, she continued working for the Center as a front desk receptionist, and then took on her current position in Administrative Support in January 2020.
We talked with Alex about her discovery of the Center and her career development as a result of getting to know the Center of Achievement and pairing it with her Kinesiology degree.
HHD: What motivated you to choose an internship with the Center of Achievement?
AR: As an ambitious undergraduate student, my goal was to gain as much hands-on experience as possible as I aspired to be a Physical Therapist. As a Kinesiology student, I had to set myself apart from my peers, and doing internships granted me more experience. Seeing all of the networking opportunities the Center had to offer, such as interning and several connections in the rehabilitation field, I recognized the Center of Achievement and Brown Center were places where I needed to dedicate more of my time. The more experience I gained working with clients, assisting faculty and administration, the more I realized I was already in the field and career that was meant for me.
HHD: Can you share a little bit about your professional background?
AR: After high school, I took on an administrative role at my father’s recycling business. This experience helped expose me to utilizing several skills sets such as management, day to day operations, and customer service.
HHD: What are your key responsibilities at the Center?
AR: Primarily, I manage the Center’s front lobby area. With over 100 clients and 200 undergraduate Kinesiology students entering and exiting the building every day, the front lobby is the main focal point of the Center. I ensure all clients are in their designated classes, and assist students with any questions. Additionally, I communicate vital information between Center faculty and administrative staff for operational needs.
HHD: Do you mostly interact with students? Clients/community members? Other employees? Other areas of campus?
AR: My day is split between community members and undergraduate students. Alongside Kinesiology faculty and teaching associates, we enforce center policies and protocols to ensure safety to maintain efficiency at the Center.
HHD: What is most meaningful to you about your work, and where would you like it to take you?
AR: Seeing community members work towards their goals and achieving them has been a highlight of my career. Experiencing their achievements alongside them has brought a lot of joy into my life. Witnessing a community member stand or walk for their first time after the onset of their disease or injury reaffirms that I am where I am supposed to be. The Center of Achievement/Brown Center is a renowned facility that provides an inclusive and accessible space for community members, and being a part of the team has been very meaningful to me.
HHD: What kind of input from others makes your day the best for you? What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
AR: One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing the confidence of the undergraduate students grow as they gain more experience working with community members. The students take pride in their accomplishments and their clients, making their class a more enjoyable experience. Seeing community members accomplish their goals is just as rewarding, as they are all striving to get stronger each day.
HHD: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
AR: The most challenging aspect of my job would be managing the fast pace day-to-day operations at all times. The Center has many moving parts and requires all faculty and staff to work together in order to operate smoothly.
HHD: What aspects of your work would you like people to know about (that they might not see on the surface)?
AR: In this role it takes an individual who can collaborate effectively with various personalities and roles. Due to the variety of population that comes through our doors, it takes an adaptable team to maintain the best working environment possible.
HHD: It’s so great that you had a chance to explore your interests with the Center from student to intern to staff member. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us!
AR: Thank you for this opportunity. CSUN is an amazing campus that offers so many hands-on opportunities and gives endless ways of networking. It is so important for students to have these opportunities to find their passions, and practice working in the field that they aspire to be in. The Center provides endless mentoring for students and being a piece of the facility is an important part of my life. The facilities on campus, staff, faculty, and students make it all come together!
F2024
Jean O’Sullivan/HHD