Name: Becky McManus

Hometown: Military family, but “home” is probably Charlotte, North Carolina, where I was primarily raised; the majority of my family has settled all around the Carolinas.

Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France

Job title: Director of Employee Development and Employee Relations

How long have you worked at the College? Since February 2021

What are your job responsibilities? Helping to develop great people who represent and work for the College of Charleston.

What do you like most about your job? The people, of course! And, having the opportunity to work with our people.

What question do you get asked most in your job and what’s your typical answer? How do I…?? “Glad you asked. I’m happy to help however I can….”

What’s your favorite location on campus and why? The benches around the lawn by Randolph Hall. I love the peaceful atmosphere under the oaks and the energy of all the people around.

What are your hobbies? Swimming, biking, running, backpacking/hiking, golf, family game night, reading and knitting.

What personal and/or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? Personal: I’m the reigning champion three years running of America’s Fastest Growing Game Show (something I play with my family – my sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, kids, whoever is around. … Someone is the DJ and we just pick a genre of music and they play the song. You get one point for guessing the artist and one point for guessing the song – simple but fun, like Name That Tune. We just called it something catchy to get everyone to start playing and thinking it was something really special. We have a blast!)

Name a creative work (book, movie, performance, etc.) you enjoyed recently and why? There are so many, but most recently, I’ve enjoyed several historical fiction novels by Ronald Balson. They are really excellent stories around historical events that should never be forgotten. These stories bring history to the heart.

What was your favorite TV show growing up? The Gong Show with Gene Gene the Dancing Machine!

What’s next on your bucket list? Backpacking in Zion National Park.

What is something your campus colleagues would be surprised to know about you? I can recite word for word one of the first-ever beatbox/old-school rap songs by Doug E. Fresh and MC Ricky D from early 1980s: “La Di Da Di.”

What was your first job? Unpaid: I was responsible for dusting the house. I am a minimalist of “things” now, thanks to my mom’s unusually large number of knickknacks that I always had to dust around. Paid: At age 13, I ran the concession stand at the neighborhood pool and moved up the ranks to lifeguard and then coach over the years through college.

What’s your favorite Lowcountry restaurant? Haven’t been to too many restaurants, but I love CO. And trivia night at Krazy Owls is a hoot!

Describe your perfect day: When the sun is shining down and everything just falls into place.

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.