Spotlight on CASL Staff Member Maureen Sytsma

October 19, 2022

Enjoy the following Q&A with Maureen Sytsma, Administrative Assistant, CASL Advising and Academic Success.

Name:  Maureen Sytsma   
Position:  Administrative Assistant Intermediate
Years at UM-Dearborn: 10.5 years

What does a typical workday look like for you? 

A typical workday involves checking and responding to emails; handling student concerns and requests through Salesforce and face-to-face, as well as handling a variety of administrative tasks for the CASL Advising office.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy helping people, especially utilizing resources at hand to problem-solve difficult student issues and seeing positive outcomes. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a student’s smile of relief when their issue is resolved.  I also enjoy working with colleagues who work super hard but know how to laugh and have fun at the same time!

What was your first job?

My first job was babysitting for neighbors and family friends; then at age 13 I worked for one day as a caddy for the Lochmoor Country Club. That was the only job I ever started and quit in one day, it was not for me! After that, I worked two jobs during summers and breaks to get through college - retail and hospital food service.

What do you do to relax?

I love to hang out with family and friends, scrapbook, read, sew, paint, bike ride and spend time outdoors, especially camping. Basically anything creative or out in nature.

If you could have any one skill or talent that you don’t already have, what would it be?

A photographic memory.

What’s the proudest moment of your life?

One of the proudest moments of my life was to see all three of my children graduate from college/graduate school and become happy, productive and successful adults.

If we were to create a UM-Dearborn playlist, what song would you want to include?

Good Riddance by Green Day.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I like to go flying with my husband in our 4-seater Mooney airplane, especially this time of year with all of the fall colors on display.

What’s one thing you wish you had known when you were a teenager?

Life is short, don’t take yourself too seriously.