2008 Woodie Awards
Peeking Beyond the ID Window: Karen Sepulveda's Story
Angely E. Fadul
Issue date: 10/27/04 Section: Features
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Although most of the students recognize Karen Sepulveda as the "Meal Plan Lady" or "ID Lady," her duties extend further than the two acknowledged by these titles. Sepulveda, the Meal Plan Access Coordinator, has worked at Manhattan College for the past five years with Sodexo. Located in the back of Dante's Den, Sepulveda is in charge of setting up meal plans for the individual Manhattan College students, and distributing identification cards, as well as assigning meal prices. This is Karen's story.
Karen Sepulveda was born and raised in lower east side of Manhattan. She attended Dodge Vocational High School, and later Bronx Community College for radiology. She also had a desire to work within the court system when she was younger. "I got tired of going to school but I wanted to work," Sepulveda said, explaining her change of plans. "I had experience working with students because of work study program in my college. Also, my son was old enough for me to start working again."
Sepulveda has a son of 19 years old, who currently attends Essex County Community College. "I have more patience because I have a son of that age," Sepulveda explained why she can relate to the students here. "I remember when I was your age what I was thinking and feeling."
"Take the other day, for example," said Sepulveda while attending a student who had ruined her ID in the laundry. "The other day," she continued, "I came in early because I had to stand in Dante's and guard the floor to make sure no one stole anything."
"I actually caught two young men, too," she said seemingly not believing it herself. "It's funny because I see the students come in here as freshman, and they're so innocent. You watch them grow up. I like helping them and talking with them, thinking that in a way I can impart some wisdom on them. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn't. Then there are times like this when students do things you don't expect them to."
"I love my work. How many people can honestly say that?" she asks. "I've been here for five years and it's like my coworkers are an extension of my family and we rely on one another."
Karen Sepulveda was born and raised in lower east side of Manhattan. She attended Dodge Vocational High School, and later Bronx Community College for radiology. She also had a desire to work within the court system when she was younger. "I got tired of going to school but I wanted to work," Sepulveda said, explaining her change of plans. "I had experience working with students because of work study program in my college. Also, my son was old enough for me to start working again."
Sepulveda has a son of 19 years old, who currently attends Essex County Community College. "I have more patience because I have a son of that age," Sepulveda explained why she can relate to the students here. "I remember when I was your age what I was thinking and feeling."
"Take the other day, for example," said Sepulveda while attending a student who had ruined her ID in the laundry. "The other day," she continued, "I came in early because I had to stand in Dante's and guard the floor to make sure no one stole anything."
"I actually caught two young men, too," she said seemingly not believing it herself. "It's funny because I see the students come in here as freshman, and they're so innocent. You watch them grow up. I like helping them and talking with them, thinking that in a way I can impart some wisdom on them. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn't. Then there are times like this when students do things you don't expect them to."
"I love my work. How many people can honestly say that?" she asks. "I've been here for five years and it's like my coworkers are an extension of my family and we rely on one another."