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Staff Spotlight: Thalia Walker

Introducing Thalia Walker who is the Executive Assistant for Institutional Advancement and Enrollment Management. Let’s face it: there’s a lot of work to be done. Thalia knows that from an employee perspective as well as her work at her family’s restaurant. Thalia is one of those people who embraces a positive attitude and helps to create a supportive culture. No matter the circumstances in her life, her character is determined by her talks with God and her unbridled faith.

Why did you choose to work at Roberts?

After spending 32 years in my previous position in the printing industry, I needed a different environment that would allow me to spend less time at work. I have 2 very good friends who told me how rewarding it was working here and when a position became available that seemed to fit my skills, I applied and here I am.

How would you explain your job to someone?

I provide administrative support to two VPs - Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement. This includes supporting their team members on both sides of the spectrum - scheduling meetings, recording minutes, planning events, ordering name tags, etc.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

Being a source of help and support to my colleagues.

What is the best part of your workday?

I love that we get to go to the Community Chapel. This is a great example of why Roberts differs from other employers.

How do you see your role connecting to the mission of Roberts?

Everything we do in Advancement and Enrollment is done with the end result of the students’ benefit in mind. Our efforts to attract students to come to Roberts, providing scholarships and support to help them to succeed is our main focus which aligns with our mission to have Roberts graduates be “thoughtful, spiritually mature, service-oriented people who will help transform society.” Working with TUG and AGE teams for the various events and with the Advancement team on events like Homecoming is rewarding.

What are your interests outside of Roberts?

My husband and I own Livie’s which is a Jamaican restaurant in Gates. I love interacting with customers from all over Rochester at our restaurant. “It’s never a dull moment at Livie’s!” We get to know so many and over the years, so many of them have become our friends. 

My husband (Liv) and I love to travel but with the responsibilities of the restaurant, we do not get to do as much traveling as we would love to. In my downtimes, I love doing all kinds of puzzles, crosswords, going to the movies and watching cop shows and crime shows.

You are going to be in ESL’s advertising campaign, can you share a bit about that? 

It was really interesting being part of this campaign! I’m the voice over for the commercial that features my family and our story working with ESL for our business (Livie’s Jamaican Restaurant). You can watch it at https://www.esl.org/you-belong – Scroll down till you see “Thalia.”

Tell me something about you that people may not know? 

I myself do not enjoy cooking. The Lord knew that, so when he was designing a husband for me, that was one of the qualities he knew Liv needed to have.

I also used to write a blog for the Democrat and Chronicle!

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