As general service center manager on the finance team in the dean’s office, Kenya is responsible for processing all payment requests for the Humanities Research Center, the Science, Technology and Society Program, the Robertson School of Media and Culture, and the Departments of Philosophy and Kinesiology and Health Sciences. It’s a job that requires patience, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm while providing excellent customer service. “I enjoy helping faculty and staff purchase items that are needed to complete research and/or further the students' educational experience,” says Kenya. “Also, I love being able to track back -- from transactions through reconciliation methods -- to ensure payments due were processed correctly and ensure no incorrect payments were processed. I like looking at the big financial picture and being able to tie together smaller budgetary items to see how it all comes together.”
Kenya has worked at VCU since 1999 when she joined the Department of Internal Medicine - Division of General Medicine as an administrative assistant and HR employee. Over the years, she has moved departments as she has grown in her career. “I'm most proud of the collective experiences I've had working at VCU. I have worked in HR, finance and research, and with each position I've held, my duties have become increasingly challenging. I've met some amazing people along the way, and have had the opportunity to learn a great deal,” Kenya says.
In her spare time, Kenya loves to read, cook and travel. She’s currently reading Michael Eric Dyson’s “Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America.” “Michael Eric Dyson is one of my favorite authors and ‘Tears We Cannot Stop’ is his most recent book,” says Kenya. “He’s a sociology professor at Georgetown University, and also a preacher. I just love the style of the book. It’s styled like a sermon.”