myCSUSM
This Month's Cougar Spotlight
Tina Querido
Business Office and 25Live Coordinator
Events and Conference Services (ECS)
University Advancement
How long have you been with CSUSM?
I’ve been with CSUSM for eleven years now. I first started in Event and Conference
Services as a part-time temporary Event Coordinator. This was when the CSUSM Corporation
was known as UARSC (University Auxiliary and Research Services Corporation) and ECS
was under UARSC. Now we are a part of University Advancement.
If you had 30 seconds to describe your job, what would you say?
I usually keep it simple and say that I manage reservations and scheduling for events—but
there’s definitely more to it. I wear three hats: campus event scheduler, business
office coordinator and 25Live functional administrator. Between managing reservations,
student assistants and 25Live, there’s never a dull moment.
What is your favorite part of working in Events and Conference Services?
There’s just something about the world of events and logistics that has always intrigued
me, but I have to say that the very best part of working in ECS is the people that
I work with day in and day out. They keep me going.
Is there something about your job or working for CSUSM that has surprised you?
Yes, it genuinely surprised me why my current position works so well for me. My supervisor
is a big supporter of CliftonStrengths, so of course we all completed the assessment.
It was a big aha moment connecting that my top 5 strengths; Consistency, Achiever,
Discipline, Empathy, and Connectedness, are integral to being successful in this position.
I use them every day and in how I approach problem solving and support 25Live users.
I truly thrive in this role because it aligns so naturally with who I am and how I
work. I never could have imagined that a job like this existed.
What time of year are you and ECS the busiest?
Spring! The entire spring semester is always busy, but the peaks are usually at the
beginning and end of each semester. Who can resist a kick-off event or end-of-the-year
celebration?!?
How many events are supported by ECS each year?
The last time that we calculated this, we processed about 12,000 event requests a
year and ECS as a whole coordinated about 1,600 of those events.
What would you like staff to know about Events and Conference Services?
While we are fully staffed, we are not unlimitedly staffed. Sometimes a space might
be available to reserve, but we don’t have an Event Planner available to coordinate.
Also, one small change to your reservation can sometimes cause a chain reaction that
might involve the Scheduling Office, the event planners, our Operation Lead and/or
student assistants.
Is there anything staff can do to help support ECS?
Right now, planning ahead is at the top of the list because space and staffing are
limited. With our ever-growing campus population, we no longer have the luxury of
assuming that the ballroom will be available on the date that we want. Another helpful
tip is to share your full vision for the event with us—even ideas you may not end
up using—so we can better support your planning from the start.
Do you have any advice you would like to share?
There’s always something new to learn and Sharing is Caring.
