CofC Faces to Know: Rashad Towns

Name: Rashad Towns

Hometown: Walterboro, South Carolina

Education/Background: I have earned my master of science degree in architecture with a concentration in facilities management from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. I hold a bachelor of science degree in computer engineering from Bethune-Cookman University, and I have earned my Certified Educational Facilities Professional credential.

Job title: Deputy director of facility operations. And I recently served as your vice chair on the Staff Advisory Committee to the President from 2022 to 2023.

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

What are your job responsibilities? I am responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, maintenance and repair of all the College of Charleston’s education and general facilities, residence life facilities, athletics facilities and other related campus buildings, structures and supporting infrastructure (156 buildings, consisting of approximately 3.7 million gross square feet spread over six locations). I organize daily with numerous clients on facility projects and special events, and resolve customers’ problems relating to various and complex areas of facilities management by regularly communicating facility actions and sharing status reports. I identify facility deficiencies and potential improvements, as well as develop plans to remedy deficiencies and implement improvements. I respond to facilities emergencies, including fire, floods, adverse weather and power failures.

What do you like most about your job? What I like most about my job is I have the honor to work with such an amazing, diverse group of people that love their profession just as much as I do.

What question do you get asked most in your job and what’s your typical answer? The question I get asked the most is, “Can you send someone to take a look at this?” And my typical answer is, “It’s already done.”

What’s your favorite location on campus and why? My favorite location on campus would have to be the roof of one of our many buildings because of the skyline view across campus and the city and/or water.

What are your hobbies? I enjoy exercising, cooking, painting, writing and traveling.

What personal and/or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? So far, being recognized by my colleagues as the Permanent Staff Employee of the Year 2023.

Name a creative work (book, movie, performance, etc.) you enjoyed recently and why? A great movie I recently saw was Gran Turismo. It is based on the video game, of course, but I didn’t know before watching the movie it is based on a true story.

What was your favorite TV show growing up? Law & Order

What’s next on your bucket list? Net a million in a year.

What is something your campus colleagues would be surprised to know about you? I wrote a children’s book called The Caterpillar and the Bee. And I enjoy writing poetry.

What was your first job? I was a dishwasher a Shoney’s.

What’s your favorite Lowcountry restaurant? Caribbean Delight

Describe your perfect day: My perfect day is any and every day the Most High wakes me up and I can share, learn and help someone and myself be better.

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.