Lauren Laker
Staff Reporter
Working two jobs, taking calls from angry parents and tolerating co-workers while raising a family may seem like quite a challenging feat for some, but not for this phenomenal woman at McDaniel. Sherry Albright, the coordinator and receptionist at Admissions, is an easygoing wife, mom, friend and co-worker who takes pride in what she does.
Juggling two jobs and a family is no drawback for Albright. Between her husband, Rich Albright, who works for the Department of Defense and their 10-year-old daughter, Morgan, Albright is able to work two jobs, take care of her family, and even go to school part time. Jake Doll, director of admissions describes Albright as, “friendly, caring, very personal, and willing to share her opinion and perspective.”
Albright has been working at Admissions for almost two and a half years now and has become acquainted with many types of people. She takes calls from prospective students, and sets up tours and interviews for counselors. She is often the first voice you hear when you call McDaniel College.
“Being the secretary at Admissions is one of the most important jobs on campus; they are often the first face a family meets when they arrive and it takes someone who is generally excited about life and McDaniel, someone who adapts easily to a changing environment, can think on their feet and is generally a kind soul,” said Admissions Counselor Betsy Beveridge.
Albright is constantly greeting students, faculty and parents with a big smile on her face. She talks to all the potential students waiting for a tour or an admissions counselor and makes them feel welcome here at McDaniel College. As Beveridge describes her, “She’s a bright and shiny sun on a cloudy day.”
Even though sometimes the workers in admissions are not flexible, they work together and get done what needs to be done with the help of Albright. She often gets to do the so-called “dirty work” of walking all over campus to help out anyone in any way. She frequently drops off tuition payments for a co-worker at her part-time job along with payroll to the Bursar’s Office.
“I don’t mind it though because I like to get the fresh air and see the students,” said Albright.
Hannah Markuson, a sophomore tour guide said, “She does the “dirty work” for the tour guides, she sets up the tours, makes our business cards to give to the families, and most importantly calls us on Friday nights to remind us of our tours on Saturday.”
There are over 40 tour guides and Albright has taken it upon herself to get to know all their names and at least something about them. Markuson said, “She’s always looking after every kid she knows and loves to know the things that are going on in our lives.”
She even takes it one step further by stepping out of the box and opening up to the students to let them know she is there for them. Albright adds, “What is said between us stays between us, trust and respect are a big part of my job.”
Beveridge adds, ” As a student I was impressed by her positive attitude, and desire to learn more about what it was like to be a student here. Now that we work together our friendship has certainly grown, as has our respect for one another.”
Albright said, “Working with the tour guides and the young people is the best part of my job.” Albright adds, “If it wasn’t for the tour guides I would not stay because the job would get boring, the tour guides are what make me feel needed and wanted at my job.”
Over the Jan Term period Albright even took the initiative to learn the new tour guide program on Blackboard. She is now an expert on Blackboard and is able to use it to help the tour guides improve on their tours.
Albright takes on one of the most difficult services at McDaniel when having to deal with taking calls from a demanding parent. “I try to be as cordial and polite as possible,” she said. “I try to be the bigger person because I want McDaniel to come off as the good guy.”
Albright explains one of the times a difficult parent called. The mother of a prospective student called and Albright asked what two fields her daughter would be interested in. The mother did not understand, so Albright read off the full list of academic fields we offer here at the college and proceed to ask the mother again what she thought her daughter would be interested in.
The mother still did not understand. Albright tried to her best ability while keeping composed to help this mother. The mother was so frustrated that out of no where she hung up and called to talk to Albright’s supervisors. The supervisors couldn’t even please her; they set up a time for her to come to visit, but she never came.
Albright wants the best for all students who come through the admissions process. Albright, without even knowing these students, already feels as if they should get a chance even without great test scores.
Even though she may not agree with everything the college is doing, she still has a mindset to present the college the best way she can. Albright believes the SAT scores are concentrated on too much and wishes she could convince admissions to give a couple more opportunities for the students who are just poor test takers.
She notes how much harder it is becoming to enter McDaniel and just wishes the college could give more students a chance. However, she gives her heart and soul into the College by being able to make the McDaniel campus community look as good as it sounds.
Her positive effect on the college along with the help of the tour guides and prospective students has given admissions the spice it needs. Albright deserves more recognition than she receives. She is a vital part of the campus and continues to give McDaniel a good name to all prospective students. Albright has and will continue to maintain her position well through her years here.