Name: Alfair D. Meredith

Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina

Education: Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida

Job title: Office Manager, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Systems Engineering Program

How long have you worked at the College? 24 years

What are your job responsibilities? I make sure that the physics and astronomy department is running smoothly on a day-to-day basis. I keep the database of the department classes/student enrollment up-to-date. I answer telephone calls and emails, order supplies, ensure that the office machines are working, verify monthly financial transactions, plan and help with events in the department, assign students to their advisors, assist the chair and faculty with grant administration and special accounts assigned to the department, monitor and process time sheets and work schedules for all student workers, prepare a census report for the American Institute of Physics every year, approve purchase orders on eProcurement, serve as a purchasing card liaison, prepare the department course-building spreadsheet on Banner and submit that to the registrar’s office. That’s just a few things, lol!

What do you like most about your job? I love being able to help the students and faculty. The physics and astronomy department is one of the best departments on campus.

What question do you get asked most in your job and what’s your typical answer? How is everything going within the department and do I need anything? My answer is the department is doing great.

What’s your favorite location on campus and why? The patio on the third floor of RITA. It’s so peaceful and has a beautiful view of the campus and downtown Charleston.

What are your hobbies? My hobbies are walking, dancing, sewing, watching old movies on TV and being around family. I am also a wedding planner and makeup artist.

What personal and/or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? Certificate of Nomination for Supervisor of the Year, Certificate of Appreciation for my contributions to the 2017 total solar eclipse and the Certificate of Appreciation for Mentor.

I am a member of Eastern Light Chapter No. 360 Prince Hall Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star and Rite of Adoption for the State of South Carolina and Jurisdiction. We had a masquerade banquet in February 2020 with the theme, Letting Our Star Shine While Connecting with the Community. We honored the following persons Wendell Gaillard, Barbara Dillard, Robert Ford, Tamara Curry, Arthur McFarland and Cheryl Swinton. It was a great honor to recognize those persons who helped  the Charleston community.

What was your favorite TV show growing up? Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Bewitched, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Lassie, Soul Train and Lost in Space.

What is something your campus colleagues would be surprised to know about you? That I can sew and I love to dance.

What was your first job? At the age of 18, working in the office at Burke High School.

What’s your favorite Lowcountry restaurant? Water’s Edge, Page’s Okra Grill, Dave’s and Nana’s Seafood & Soul.

Describe your perfect day: My perfect day is being around my family, especially on Sundays when we all gather together after church at my aunt’s house on Edisto Island and just relax.

 

To nominate a faculty or staff member to be featured in the “CofC Faces to Know” series, please send the person’s name and email address to facstaffnews@cofc.edu. Please include “CofC Faces to Know” in the email subject line.