Ohio Voices segment highlights UC staff

Staff who provide a host of services talk about life on and off campus

The unsung heroes who keep the University of Cincinnati humming took the spotlight in a recent "Ohio Voices" video segment produced by Spectrum News.

Nine UC staff members are featured, sharing their passions, motivations and goals as part of the series, which highlights communities across Ohio and how people are working to make the Buckeye State — and the nation — a better place to live.

Filmed in the recently renovated Marian Spencer Hall, the UC campus serves as a backdrop for these inspiring stories.

The segments can all be viewed on the Spectrum News1 website or by clicking the individual names below.    

Featured UC staff:  

Joe Allen is the lead stationary engineer at UC’s Central Utility Plant, where he has worked for 16 years, including nine years in his current role. In his segment, Allen shares his passion for health and wellness — by teaching aerobics classes in his time off.

Pamela Beal has been with UC since 2014 and currently serves as the housekeeping supervisor for Marian Spencer, Scioto and Morgens residence halls. Beal stepped into the supervisor role four years ago. In her segment, Beal describes how her idea of a perfect weekend revolves around family and watching home movies.  

Alisha Fowler is a parking ambassador with UC’s Parking Services and Transportation. She originally joined UC in 2001 and, after a brief period in another department, returned to her current role four years ago. In her segment, she shares how important it is to greet visitors to the university with a warm welcome.

Ryver Lewis is a help desk technician with UC’s Digital Technology Solutions (DTS), the university’s information technology department. He first came to UC as a student in 2017, began working with DTS as a co-op in 2019, and transitioned to a full-time role in 2020. In his segment, Ryver offers a look at his role in keeping UC’s technology running smoothly while also pursing multiple degrees.

Amber Maloney is a community coordinator for resident education and development at UC. She joined the university in July 2022 and has served in her current role since then, overseeing Marian Spencer Hall since 2024. In her segment, she shares what she would tell her younger self and how she imparts that wisdom to students who reside on campus.

Melissa Cox Norris, UC’s director of library communications, has been with the university for 23 years, serving in her current role since 2003. In her segment, she reflects on the passion that led her to join a drumline — an unexpected move for someone who considered herself shy at the time — and how that experience helped shape her life.

Todd Pantsingel has been part of UC’s housekeeping team for three and a half years, joining after his children enrolled at the university. In his segment, Pantsingel shares how UC’s benefits, especially tuition remission, drew him to the role —  and how he enjoys the energy of campus life. His work now takes him across more of UC, giving him a chance to see and appreciate the community in new ways.

John Sterwerf is the building maintenance superintendent for east campus Facilities Management at UC. He joined the university in December 2021 and has held his current role since June 2025. In his segment, Sterwerf talks about the most challenging time of his life: being out of work just prior to the birth of his first child was both a stressful and joyous experience.  

Emily Sullivan has been UC’s marketing and communications manager for the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies since joining the university in 2019. In her  segment, Sullivan shares insights on how a debilitating injury affected her life and taught her to “pick your mountain” when it comes to life challenges.

Also see the 2024 Ohio Voices feature article on UC researchers.    

Feature photo at top of Alisha Fowler, parking services ambassador. Photo/Specrum News1.

Impact Lives Here

The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next lives here.

Related Stories