Essential Piece of the Puzzle

Arlene Macavinta was the first ever recipient of the Essential Piece of the Puzzle award. She is now honored with the award a second time because of the continued outstanding effort she puts into her work.

Arlene is a former CSULB student and landed a full-time job here at ASI just three months after graduating. This month marks her 18th year of working for ASI. As interim building operations manager, Arlene is responsible for all events going on in the University Student Union (USU)—big or small. She also ensures that her team of building managers are on top of their game to keep the facility safe for anyone who comes in. Arlene and her team are the eyes and ears of the building.

“I know the Essential Piece is something you get nominated for by doing something that’s out of the ordinary and above and beyond your call of duty,” Arlene said. “But so many of the jobs here at ASI are valuable pieces of the puzzle, and without them, this organization wouldn’t be what it is or how it functions. So it’s a huge honor to receive this award.”

ASI is like a family to Arlene. She gets along with all staff and students, so she finds it an honor to work in such a positive environment where she genuinely looks forward to coming to work every day.

“As a supervisor and a manager, I work with so many students,” she said. “They come and go, but it’s always rewarding when you see them come back down the line to say hi and knowing they became successful.”

Overall, Arlene is honored to receive the award and to be voted by her peers and it’s clear that Arlene will continue to go above and beyond the call of duty to create a safe and secure place for guests of the USU.

Arlene Macavinta was awarded the Essential Piece of the Puzzle during the March ASI employee assembly. As a part of ASI’s commitment to uplifting customer service, each month all full-time staff participates and votes in this monthly employee of the month program.