“I’m usually the first person that people interact with, so I try to help in any way that I can,” Morales said. “The most important thing I’ve learned is that being nice pays off.”

Morales knows she makes the school’s first impression. Her willingness to help visitors ensures it is a good one, said Brenda Corea, a senior in the School of Business and a staff associate who sits next to Morales every day.

“Cindy is fabulous,” Corea explained.  “She really puts herself in your place and wants to help.”
Morales assists 15 to 30 students and visitors every day, but said that Tuesdays and Thursdays were far more busy than the rest of the week.

“There are more kids taking classes on those days, not to mention visiting lecturers who need to be directed to their respective professors,” Morales said.

Morales can handle questions ranging from the location of professors’ offices and classrooms to where to find computer labs and even the availability of library resources and films in storage. 

In addition to dealing with calls and visitors coming into the school, the multifaceted staff associate coordinates the federal work-study program in the School of Communication. 

“I do it by second nature.  Basically, I make sure the school runs smoothly,” said Morales, giving the interview while fielding phone calls and filing work-study pay checks.

Valory Greenman, who handles the managerial duties for journalism programs on the second floor of the School of Communication, explains the difference between her job and Morales’ position.

“Cindy’s job is different.  She deals more with finance than any other staff associate in this school.  Overall, she basically helps with running the entire school,” Greenman said. 

Greenman believes that what really sets Morales apart from others is her sincere love of students.

“[Cindy] is great with kids.  Whether it is a student or the child of a faculty member, Cindy goes out of her way to help them,” Greenman said.

Although Morales has lived in Miami her entire life, she did not join the UM family until five years ago. 

After working for FPL for 14 years, Morales retired briefly and then returned to work at Gulliver Academy, where her children attended. 

She retired again, but this time she could only stay away for two years.

“I followed my kids throughout school,” said Morales, explaining how she came to be at the University of Miami. 

“I missed working with students, and I got really bored at home,” she said.  “But there were other factors. When I saw my son Eric’s first tuition bill from UM, I knew it was time to come out retirement. Miami’s tuition remission program was impossible to refuse.”

This program reduces the tuition for students with parents working at UM from 70 to 100 percent, depending on the amount of time they have worked at the university. 

Since joining UM, Morales has come to appreciate the university on a new level.

“What sets this university apart from others is that it is growing and dealing with the future of communication industries.  It is really a gateway to the future.  Plus, there is so much variety,” said Morales about the benefits of UM.  “You can’t complain about the weather either,” she said with a laugh.

The staff associate claims that the next step in her life is retirement, this time for good.
“My husband is a pilot for United Airlines, and we can’t wait to vacation to Australia and New Zealand,” Morales said.

According to Corea, Morales should have her hands full until retirement finally comes.

Students “need someone who has good common sense.  Every day we deal with something different,” Correa said. “Last week, a girl lost her iPhone and was hysterically crying to Cindy.  [Cindy] calmed the girl down, explained what she could do to help, and then assured her that she would do everything within her power to find the phone.  Cindy is always ready to walk the extra mile for visitors.”