Meet a Tiger: Mary Erin Morrissey

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This Tiger began her career at Clemson in University Housing where she worked with students and also had the chance to work with university police, fire and emergency management. She says that her move to emergency management seemed like a natural progression of the work she was already doing. Today, she strives to make Clemson a safer place to live and work and thinks everyone has an opportunity to keep Clemson safe.

Meet Mary Erin Morrissey.

Title: Deputy emergency manager

Years at Clemson: Seven (Five-and-a-half in residential living and one-and-a-half in emergency management)

What I do at Clemson: My primary role is to coordinate the building security program. I work with a great team who are really committed to making sure the university is ready for whatever challenge comes our way. They do a great job of keeping an eye out for the safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors. I also work with my supervisor and a multitude of partners to create emergency plans for the university. I really love my job.

What I love about Clemson: There are many things I love about Clemson, but I think what strikes me the most is how much people care. I have found that everyone who works here is dedicated to making things work well. They care about this campus and the greater community and will do whatever it takes to get the job done.

What was a defining moment for you at Clemson: I think the defining moment was when my daughter proclaimed she was going to Clemson. She feels that Clemson is home for her and that this is where she belongs. The fact that she felt like this was where she wants to stay even after she could move anywhere made me feel like we were in the right place.

Accomplishment I’m most proud of: Personally, it’s always my daughter. She’s so kind and everything else that is wonderful. I don’t know what I did to deserve her, but I’m really glad I did it. Professionally, I’m most proud of the career switch I made a little over a year ago. It continues to be challenging, but also incredibly exciting.

Where I see myself in five years: I’m not really a five- or 10-year plan kind of person. I firmly believe in the idea of “grow where you are planted.” All I see in five years is that I will hopefully be happy and working hard. The details always work themselves out.

Last thing I watched on TV: Gilmore Girls.

Guilty pleasure: Reese’s Pieces. They aren’t safe around me.

One thing most people don’t know about me: I absolutely love to organize. If anyone ever needs a space organized, I am all for it. For me it’s grown-up Tetris.

Follow @CUEmergencyMgmt on Twitter.

 

Want to nominate a colleague to be featured in Meet a Tiger? Contact Jackie Todd at jtodd3@clemson.edu.

Meet more Tigers here, and check out #FacesOfClemson on Instagram.