The PROPS program includes a monthly profile of an A-State staff member that works every day behind the scenes to improve Arkansas State University… because EVERY Red Wolf Counts!
Staff members are selected from a pool of candidates that is created from the PROPS nomination form.
Randy Nelson
Randy Nelson was nominated by Shelly Tucker. Shelly shared that Randy always “goes the extra mile for his fellow co-workers and the students. He is the main contributor for orientation weeks throughout the year and he even stays on campus to cook barbeque for all the students and staff during every orientation. There are not many employees who put in the extra work like Randy.” He has had several roles at A-State over eleven years and currently works in International Programs. Outside of work, Randy has been married for 29 years with three grown children and a seven-month-old granddaughter. He was born and raised in Jonesboro where he has spent most of his life, close to family.
P.R.O.P.S. subcommittee members, Cathy Naylor and Madelyn Carson spoke with Randy recently to learn more about him and his experience at A-State.
What is your main hobby?
The last seven months my granddaughter has taken over mine and my wife’s life. I’m not complaining one bit! I also do a lot of volunteer work at the church. If I’m not at work or with my granddaughter, I’m involved with the church.
What makes a good staff member?
Availability. In my job, I am processing documents all the time or answering emails, but you never know when a student will show up with a question, concern, or something they are unsure about. You might need to be available to stay 5-10 minutes late to help them.
In school, I was known for…
Football, where I played just about every position, especially linebacker and full back. I played lots of sports growing up. It definitely wasn’t my grades.
What do you like about A-State?
Working with students. I started out in custodial in the Student Union and one day it hit me that if I want to work for a college, I want to be more involved with students. I thought about which students need the most help and decided I wanted to work with international students.
What’s your favorite movie?
I don’t watch a lot of movies, but I’m a big John Wayne fan. I own almost all of his movies on DVD.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
I go to Peru a couple of times a year with my church. I really love Peru. I like the people and the climate. It’s always warm there even in the winter.
What is the best advice you ever received?
Not to take things personally. Especially with work. People have bad days and say things they don’t mean. I have bad days. No one wakes up in the morning and thinks, “How can I ruin Randy’s day today?”
If you could have another career, what would it be and why?
I would eventually like to be a pastor. I’m in a residency program at my church and would like to preach one day.
What do you wish you could teach everyone about your role on campus?
Patience. I really learned in working with the international students, with the language barrier or their uncertainties. They worry that they might do something wrong since they are here by themselves and they don’t have their family. I might have to explain things several times, so it can take a lot of patience to work with them.
