Laughter, gentle whispers, reflective silence, and heartfelt declarations filled the basement of Elkton Hall at UMD College Park as the long serving Residential Facilities housekeeping leadership team received their well-deserved trainer certification from the accredited CMI Institute
Since 2008, the Housekeeping team has consistently upheld the highest standards of cleanliness, adhering strictly to safety and sanitation protocols. Their efforts have earned them CIMS (Cleaning Industry Management Standard) Accreditation, which they have successfully renewed every two years. In May 2024, they achieved their eighth renewal, marking another milestone of excellence.
In addition to the program’s CIMS Accreditation renewal, Residential Facilities now boasts an impressive 83 percent certification rate among the housekeeping leadership team. Eighteen supervisors and managers—Manuel Soto, Merci Ramos, Cheryl John, Yanira Molina, Maria Choto, Kamla Jaipersaud, Lizeth Chavez, Yansi Humana, Keenan Turner, Margarita de Velasquez, Michelle Isler-Green, Yaquelin Castillo Beza, Maria Villegas, Cheryl John, Juan Escobar, Gemechis Feyisa, Jonathan Marius and Isabel Marroquin—were awarded their long-awaited basic, advanced, and trainer certifications on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.
The milestone was celebrated in the newly built Housekeeping & Maintenance Training Room, in the basement of Elkton Hall, designed by Residential Facilities’ Planning, Design, and Construction team. The room is where the dedicated trainer holds sessions for current and incoming housekeepers, based on a curriculum developed by the CMI Institute.
During the event, Associate Director of Building Services, Vassie Hollamon, asked each attendee how many years of professional experience they had at the University of Maryland. The numbers fluctuated—27, 30, 17, and 40 years—culminating in over 350 years of collective experience in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness for Terp students. This realization, combined with the question, "How do you feel now that you have your certificate in hand?" sparked an exchange of personal stories, standout moments, and sentiments of gratitude.
Merci Ramos, Heritage Community Supervisor, with 40 years at the University of Maryland, reflected, "Thank God, I passed those tests, and I’m here … I hope I’m going to continue to learn more, more, more, because you never finish learning."
"My journey here at Residential Facilities wouldn’t have been the same without Soto," shared Yansi Humana, North Hill Community Supervisor. "You’ve made a real difference," she continued, thanking her first supervisor from 12 years ago. Michelle Isler-Green, Denton Community Supervisor, added, "Isabel made sure I had all of my training materials, even when I was out unexpectedly, so I could pass my test."
Yansi also recalled when the team presented at the MSAC (Maryland Student Affairs Conference) as a highlight of the year. "So many people showed up, interested in what we had to say. They asked questions, genuinely engaged," she shared. "It was a lot of fun," added Soto, Cambridge Community Supervisor, recalling the nervousness of speaking in front of a packed audience. Cheryl, North Campus Manager, remarked, "A lot of people wanted to hear what we had to say."
"Unfortunately, in the Facilities field, we often think that if we’re doing our job right, we’re invisible," shared Hollamon. This sentiment, widely accepted in the industry, often leaves staff feeling unrecognized despite the care facilities professionals put into their work every day. However, the recognition Residential Facilities housekeeping teams have received over the past year, along with numerous other initiatives undertaken by the department, has brought mixed emotions among staff used to working behind the scenes. Their investment in professional development, coupled with the sudden spotlight, has been met with feelings of pride, joy, shyness, and the discomfort that often comes with attention. Still, the 18 housekeeping leaders, trailblazers in their field, continue to push beyond their comfort zones, discovering new ways to make their work and contributions visible and inspiring newcomers to embrace the profession with renewed enthusiasm.
This commitment to excellence not only reflects their dedication but also embodies the Division of Student Affairs’ commitment to "Putting Students First."
