This month, the Office of Information Technology is celebrating Luis Santiago, IT Operations Manager. Luis works in the IT Administration department and has been with Fordham for 15 years. Throughout their time at Fordham, they have worked on many interesting projects and developed both professionally and personally. To honor the contributions of Luis we are sharing a little about their story.
How long have you been employed at Fordham, and what roles have you held?
I have been employed at Fordham University for nearly 15 years. I began as a temporary employee in the Business Office and was later hired as an Executive Secretary. Over time, I was promoted to Team Lead, and I currently serve as the IT Operations Manager.
What’s the day-to-day of your role like?
I oversee all invoicing processes, ensuring that goods and services are delivered before submitting invoices for payment. Additionally, I manage the IT spaces on the Rose Hill campus, ensuring everyone has the tools and resources they need to perform their jobs effectively. I also handle requests submitted through ServiceNow and strive to deliver exceptional customer service at every opportunity.
What is your proudest accomplishment in IT and/or life in general?
My proudest moment in IT was being promoted from a Secretary to a Manager, a testament to my hard work and growth. My greatest accomplishment in life is sharing 17 wonderful years of marriage with my wife and my two beautiful daughters, who are excelling in school and bring me immense pride and joy every day.
When you are not working, what are some passion projects/hobbies/activities that you’re involved in?
When I am not working, I am deeply involved with my church as an Assistant Pastor. In addition to overseeing the church building and ensuring everything is functioning properly, I also lead two ministries and mentor individuals within the community.
How have you grown professionally while on our team?
During my time on the IT Team, I’ve come to understand that while each group has its own unique skill set, they are all interconnected, one cannot function effectively without the other. Through this realization, my professional growth has been shaped by the importance of understanding what each group does, not just for the sake of knowledge, but to genuinely empathize with my colleagues when they feel overwhelmed. This understanding enables me to provide meaningful assistance and help ease their burdens.
What is the most unique part about working at Fordham?
I wouldn’t necessarily call it unique, but I would say this, there are some truly good, genuine people who are funny, down-to-earth, transparent, and honest about life’s challenges. No one can go through life alone, especially in the workplace where we spend so much of our time with the same people. It’s comforting to know that there are individuals who genuinely care about the well-being of others, mentally, spiritually and physically. In that sense, I suppose it is something rare and special.
What is something fun or interesting that not many people know about you?
Something I truly enjoy is cooking. There’s nothing more fulfilling than preparing meals for my family and friends and seeing the joy it brings to them.
This interview was conducted as part of the Office of Information Technology’s SpotlITe series, in which we highlight staff members who have meaningfully contributed to IT, Fordham, and beyond.