Our Essential

Photos by Patrick Dodson ’12

UAlbany has often been likened to a small town where thousands of people live, work, and play. Like any town, it also depends on departments of essential personnel—people who are largely unseen and often unheralded—who do the hard work to keep everything running ... 24 hours a day, seven days a week ... pandemic or not. The individuals in these portraits represent not only their departments, but also the ideals of commitment and service—values that are everlasting and essential.

Representing Information Technology Services, Latoya Taitt, Senior Programmer Analyst

Representing the University Police Department, Steven Santa Maria, Police Officer

Representing Parking Management/ Transportation, Michele Eller, Bus Driver

Representing Human Resources, Merissa Mabee, Benefits Manager