Event Services Staff
Suzi Halpin, Director Student Union
407-823-2117, SU 312
shalpin@mail.ucf.edu
Suzi has been working at Student Union for eight years and continues to love working in Campus Life.. Previous to UCF, she spent 11 years at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. She enjoys working in the Student Union environment because each day provides a new challenge. In her spare time, she stays very active playing golf and tennis.
Tracy Balkham, Office Assistant
407-823-2117, SU 312
tbalkham@mail.ucf.edu
Tracy started working at UCF in 1985 as the Senior Secretary for the Campus Activities Board in the Student Center where she prepared contracts for the hired entertainers. Her job expanded to include making reservations for the Student Center which is now Ferrell Commons. When the Student Union opened, she became the Office Manager for the Office of Student Activities and later moved to the Student Union Administration Office in 1998 where she now provides support to the staff and office operations. Her hobbies include supporting NASCAR, going to concerts and movies and shopping.
Betsy Guerrero, Accountant
407-823-2856, SU 312
aguerrer@mail.ucf.edu
Betsy started working at UCF in November 1995 at the ID Card Office. She transferred to the Student Union 1997 to work in the event planning office. An accountant position was created and she has singly occupied that position since then. Betsy received the award of Employee of the Month for UCF in May 2005. She uses her free time playing golf or spending time with her five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Jessica Falco, Coordinator
407-823-3677, SU 312
jfalco@mail.ucf.edu
Originally from Syracuse, NY, Jessica moved to Orlando to attend UCF. During this time she worked as an Information Desk Associate at the Student Union. She graduated in 2000 with a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice. After working in her field of study she realized how much she missed UCF and the Student Union and returned in 2002. Jessica and her husband, Rick, enjoy spending time with family and raising their young daughter. In her free time, Jessica enjoys working out, scrap booking and hanging out with friends.
Tyler Sims, Coordinator
407-823-3677, SU 312
tysims@mail.ucf.edu
Tyler started working at the Student Union as an Event Services Setup Staff Member. He has received many promotions in his 4 ½ years at the Union. He is a 2003 Graduate of the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Most of his work experience in the hospitality industry lies in restaurant and catering management, with an emphasis on special event planning. In his spare time, he enjoys attending trade shows/exhibits and dining out.
Jenny Hartman, Event Planner
407-823-3677, SU 312
jahartma@mail.ucf.edu
Jenny is an Event Planner at the Student Union. She graduated from UCF in 2002 with a B.A. in Advertising/Public Relations and a minor in Writing. She joined the Union staff in November 2005 after moving back to Orlando from her hometown of Hollywood, FL. Jenny looks forward to pursuing further studies in Hospitality at UCF’s Rosen School. In her free time, she enjoys trying out new recipes and going shopping. Jenny also loves working with clients to make each event at the Student Union a success!
Jessica Katz, Event Planner
407-823-4720, SU 312
jkatz@mail.ucf.edu
Jessica began her employment at UCF in 2002 at the Office of Student Financial Assistance while pursuing an undergraduate degree in Public Relations/Advertising with a minor in Psychology. Upon completion she obtained a full-time position at the Registrar’s Office where she handled Classroom Reservations. In December of 2007, she became a part of the Student Union Event Services team as the new Event Planner. She is in the process of obtaining her Masters Degree with UCF in Mass Communications. In her spare time Jessica likes to travel, write, scrapbook and spend time with her friends.
There are approximately 8 part-time Event Services Assistants on staff. They serve as assistants to the Event Planners and are often the first point of contact for many clients that work with the Student Union. Each assistant provides information about the Student Union and its events, as well as directions, and general advice on University policies and procedures with an emphasis on customer service.
John Bradley, Graduate Assistant/Sr. Building Manager
407-823-2117, SU 313
jbradley@mail.ucf.edu
John has worked for the Student Union since spring of 2004 starting on event services then to building manager and now to senior building manager. He is currently pursuing his bachelors of science in engineering technology design and hopes to attend graduate school for engineering management. In his spare time he enjoys mountain biking, building and modifying performance automobiles, and has a deep passion for martial arts
.
This team consists of approximately 65 part-time student employees. The Building Managers manage all aspects of Union operations, including student associates and all events that take place in the Union with a focus on customer service. The Event Services Associates provide the setup and maintenance of furnishings and A/V equipment for all events that take place in the Student Union.
There are approximately 10 part-time Information Desk Associates on staff. They serve as guest coordinators and are often the first point of contact for many visitors to the University of Central Florida. Each associate provides information about the Student Union and its events, as well as information, directions, and general advice on University policies and procedures with an emphasis on customer service.
Maintenance and Operations Staff
Rick Falco, Assoc. Director of Maintenance and Operations
407-823-0763, SU 313
rfalco@mail.ucf.edu
Rick has been at UCF since 1994, earning both his B.S. degree in Business Administration, Finance in ’98 and his M.A. in Educational Leadership, Student Personnel Administration in ’01. Before his transition to the Student Union in ‘04, Rick worked at the Recreation and Wellness Center as the Associate Director of Finance and Operations. In addition to his position at the Student Union, Rick is also an adjunct faculty member for the LEAD Scholars Program. Along with spending time with family and friends, Rick enjoys traveling and playing golf.
Rick Gossett, Computing Specialist
407-823-2865, SU 312
gossett@mail.ucf.edu
Rick graduated from UCF with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. He has had extensive IT training and deals with all aspects of IT at the Student Union. He was promoted to Senior Programmer Analyst in September 2000. He is a Certified Network Administrator and is the Web Master for the Student Union. He recently was upgraded to Computing Specialist..
Jim Wilson, A/V Technician
407-823-2117, SU 312
jewilson@mail.ucf.edu
Jim started working at UCF in September 1980 in Building Services. He worked there for a short time before going to Maintenance at the Student Center, now the Ferrell Auditorium. Jim then took classes and trained for electronics. With that education, he then became the Electronics Technician for the Student Center in 1986. He was happy to have worked with Jimmie Ferell, the Orientation teams, and the USO girls while occupying that position. Jim transferred to the Student Union shortly after it was built. Jim enjoys being a regular attendee of the C3 (formerly Parkway Baptist) Chruch for 12 years with his wife, Colleen, and his daughter, Natalie. His hobbies are flying R.C. helicopters and working with computers.
Gary Campbell, Building Superintendent
407-823-0763, SU 312
gcampbel@mail.ucf.edu
Gary moved from a small town in Pennsylvania to Florida in 1988. In 1993, Gary started working at the UCF Physical Plant. Shortly after starting at the UCF Physical Plant, he transferred to the Student Center, now known as the Student Union. He has gotten great joy from working with the students and seeing the progress they make through the years. He hopes to continue working at the UCF Student Union until he retires. In his spare time, Gary enjoys oval track racing, drag racing, golf, and his favorite pastime, restoring antique cars.
John Morris, Senior Custodial Supervisor
407-823-0763, SU 313
jtmorris@mail.ucf.edu
John started working at the University in August 1996 as a custodial worker. He worked hard to move up to his current position as Maintenance Supervisor. He has completed all of the Leadership Excellence programs offered by the University.
The staff is currently made up of 30 Custodians and 10 Maintenance members. The Student Union is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, due to the long Student Union operation hours. They make us, look good!