Two Departments Create a Culture of Giving for Saint Mary’s College
For eight years, every person working in Campus Services has participated in the annual fundraising event
By Howard Dukes
Rachelle “Shelly” Michalski has a multi-generational connection with Saint Mary’s College. Michalski has worked at Saint Mary’s College for 43 years, and she brings a legacy of service to and love for the College.
“My mom and my dad both retired from here,” Michalski said.
Michalski currently works in the Building Services department as a lead, but her career at Saint Mary’s did not begin there. “I worked in an office, and I did bookkeeping for them, but it was a really boring job for me, and I asked one summer—because summers are slow—I asked them if I could come to Building Services,” Michalski said. “And I have been here ever since.”
Michalski, who works primarily in McCandless and Opus halls alongside the Building Services employees she oversees, provides complete custodial services. She and her colleagues in General Services can be seen in residence halls and academic buildings throughout campus, providing custodial care as well as set-up and tear-down before and after events. All together, they ensure students have clean and safe spaces and can study comfortably and securely in academic areas.
Dawn Bell is the director of Campus Services, overseeing Building Services and General Services. She said her employees play a crucial role in ensuring that Saint Mary’s students grow academically and spiritually. So when they have an opportunity to support the College financially, they do so enthusiastically. The 48 employees within these departments demonstrate their belief in and commitment to Saint Mary’s during the College’s giving day, known as Donor Challenge. Funds raised during this fast-paced campaign support critical needs such as scholarships, as well as upgrading technology on campus.
Each February, as Donor Challenge kicks off, every employee of the College is encouraged to participate. The 48 employed in Campus Services not only give, they are often the first to give. For many years, these teams have been the only departments with 100% participation.
I’m very proud that they’re willing to give back and that they feel proud to work here.
- Dawn Bell, Director of Campus Services
Danielle Haydell Mason '13, director of Annual Giving and Stewardship, oversees the annual fundraising campaign. “Donor Challenge has always been about showing what this community can do when we all come together and the impact that our collective generosity has on students,” she said. “That the Campus Services teams continue to show up with 100% participation year after year speaks volumes about their commitment to the students. We are incredibly grateful for their leadership in this and for the example they set on campus.”
Donor Challenge started in 2013 to encourage young alumnae to donate to Saint Mary’s, Mason said. It snowballed once other alumnae said they too wanted to participate.
Bell said the employees in Building and General Services see how students benefit from their donations, as they interact with students daily. They see students as they study in the library and other academic buildings. They help them adjust to residence hall life even while completing their own tasks. Bell said the proximity to students means employees have numerous opportunities to build relationships with them.
“Students talk to their custodians and share things with them—especially at the beginning of the year,” Bell said. “That’s where the relationship starts. For example, McCandless Hall is usually an all-first-year dorm, so some of the students might not know how to do things like wash or separate clothes.” Employees from her team may be the first person to see that a student is homesick, Bell said.
Day Shift Building Lead Kayla Stambaugh said the day of giving allows employees an opportunity to display their loyalty and connection to the College. “We all come together as a community for us to do this so that we can support our college,” Stambaugh, a 5-year veteran of Saint Mary’s, said. “It’s a big thing for the community and for the students so they get what they need and students can come here and go to school.”
Night Shift Building Lead Edy Sanchez Cordero added that giving to the Donor Challenge is a way to help students who come to the College. Night Shift Building Lead Aristides Alonzo Cordero agreed. “It’s like a lifesaver for people who need the help,” Alonzo Cordero said.
Day Shift Building Lead Marina Ramos Estrada agrees. “Every little bit counts for each student, and if everybody does a little, it’s good for them to get whatever they need,” she said.
Michalski said Saint Mary’s is a good place to work and Donor Challenge gives all Campus Services employees a chance to support the institution that supports them. “It’s a good place and we want to give opportunities to all students to be able to come to Saint Mary’s,” she said. The fact that Michalski has had a personal connection to some of the students adds to her motivation to give.
“I have co-workers who have their kids here, so I know that Donor Challenge really helps,” Michalski added.
Department employees started receiving emails and seeing flyers about Donor Challenge around the start of the year. And while the department will not make their contribution until February, individual employees have already started making donations. “We have a good team as far as teamwork and coming together and supporting each other,” said Supervisor Ashley DeFault. “So, when it comes time, they just want to give back for what Saint Mary’s has done for them.”
February 18, 2026