Every person in the GW Engineering community contributes to the fabric and the culture of what makes us great and unique. As an institution of higher education, we often celebrate the achievements of our students and staff. However, without the tireless work of the GW Engineering administrative team, nothing would be possible. From our facilities, to our technology to supporting our events, the administrative team at GW Engineering keeps our school moving forward. Each month we will highlight one of the members of the admin team in our Local Hero editorial feature. Take the time to meet the people who are at the foundation of our school.
You may know Sandra as the Executive Special Assistant to the Dean, and yes, that is her, but there is also so much more! Read more below to learn more about January’s Local Hero, Sandra Little! :
Q: How long have you been working at GW and what is your position?
A: I have been with GW for over 30 years and at GW Engineering as the Executive Special Assistant to the Dean since 2004. Or, as my daughter would say when she was little, I am the “assistant principal of the school”.
Q:What led you to this career?
A: I was studying at GW (MA in Economics) when I got a part-time job in the GW Medical Center for the tuition benefits. So the benefits took me farther than I thought they would, and I am very thankful.
Q: Why did you choose GW?
A: At the time, I chose GW for its Economic Department, but I honestly didn’t think or know that life would give me such a long GW career.
Q: What is one thing you wish you’d known when you started working at GW?
A: That I would be here for so long. Time flies!
Q: What is your favorite part about working at GW Engineering?
A: I love that we all work together within GW Engineering. It’s great that we are our own tight knit school, while being a part of the greater GW community.
Q: Why would someone want to work at GW Engineering?
A: Although GW Engineering is small, our spirit within the school is big. Our faculty and staff are always willing and excited to work with and help our students academically and professionally, and want to make sure they get the most out of their time here and go on to do great things.
Q: What is your biggest work pet peeve?
A: Emailing back and forth…just pick up the phone and give me a call or stop by.
Q: What’s your ideal way to spend the weekend?
A: The chillier the better. I love sleeping in, seeing what stores’ sales racks have for me, going for a walk with my daughter and spending time with her and hubby at a local café, and catching up with my cousins through Whatsapp video chat.
Q: What’s one of your favorite memories from the past year?
A: Usually, I would say the SEAS Graduation Ceremony. It’s a lot of work, but it is always worth it in the end. I love seeing everyone so happy. However, this year after all of the Zoom meetings and Google Meets, I really enjoyed our SEAS “Back to School” Reception we held on August 17, 2022. It was so good to see old faces again and new faces for the first time in person!
Q: Tell us something people don’t know about you.
A: I don’t think many people know that I was born in Colombia, went to high school in Peru, and am fluent in Spanish.
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: No, sadly, to many’s disappointment. I have no pets and actually never did growing up either.