Aces of Trades – Christina Black is a 'mom' to countless Denison students
GRANVILLE – Christina Black’s official title at Denison University is building services assistant, which means she helps clean, among other things, “the students’ common areas of the buildings, restrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, stairwells and hallways.”
But that hardly describes all she does at the school. Over the years Black has also brought something above and beyond to scores of Denison students.
“Christina is very much like a mom,” explained Ginny Sharkey, assistant director for news and information at Denison. “She has a huge heart and she cares about every single one of ‘her kids.’ She sees them in their home environment, so she listens, gives good, practical advice — and she’s not afraid to say, ‘Clean your room!’ when it’s warranted.”
“I believe my interest in cleaning and helping young people,” Black responded, “was when I started at Denison in 2006 and my daughter was heading to Ohio University. I just thought how I would I want her to feel and be treated in a new home away from home. I had no idea what to expect, but it didn’t take long to know I was in my own element just being around the young adults.”
“I like to let the students in my dorms know I’m there for them if they need help,” she continued. “I love having daily conversations with whomever I run into. Most of our conversations are about classes, family, trips they’re planning or I’m planning, and further plans after college.”
But she doesn’t stop there. At least once a year she hosts a gathering to bring the students together “just to take time out to relax and enjoy food and conversation. This has become a great way to make it feel like a home and not just a dorm.”
“I feel I’ve been given a pretty good hand in life,” she summed, “and I just like paying it forward to the people who mean a lot to me.”
“It shows,” Sharkey noted, “how close she is to her kids. Christina does it on her own initiative, but often at least one other staffer does it with her. And they do it all out of their own pockets. That’s how important those relationships are to her.”
The students know it, and many go out of their way to let her know how they feel about her too.
“I have several moments that stand out,” Black said, “but the one that filled my heart the most was when I got to work on Valentine’s Day about 6 years ago. I walked into my girls and guys restrooms and there were hearts made of construction paper all over with kind sayings on them to me. It was one of the best work years in my 13 years here.”
Black grew up in Newark, “the middle child of seven kids,” a self-proclaimed tomboy “till I hit about 15.” She liked to roller skate so she would cut grass, shovel snow, rake leaves and babysit to pay her way.
“At 16, I got a job at the Roll-A-Way Skating Center,” she recalled. “That was one of my first encounters of having someone show true selflessness and taking me in like one of their own. I will forever be grateful to Naomi, and will always give back as much as I can as she taught me to do.”
Black went on to graduate from Newark High School in 1982. A series of “customer service” jobs followed but she realized none of them “really was for me.” Then came Denison.
“I never thought I would be cleaning at a college,” Black said, “and especially loving where I am!”
“Denison started out to be just a part-time second job,” she added, “but has become so much more to me.”
“I thank every past, present and future student,” she concluded, “for letting me be their housekeeper and friend.”
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs – whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at advocate@newarkadvocate.com or 740-328-8821.