Phil Lyons, assistant vice president of Student Development,
calls her “my Harley-riding, overstressed right hand.”

Senior Chris Clark describes her as “very energetic, very
bubbly.”

Ross Twele, a sophomore student worker says she has “a fantastic
sense of humor.”

The official title on Cheryl Kaufman’s business card reads
“Office Manager,” but students and faculty will attest that her
role on Saint Louis University’s campus is not confined to that
position.

Kaufman is ubiquitous.

“One thing I yell at her about is that she needs to leave when
the day is over…She would stay much later if she could,” Lyons
said.

Kaufman came to SLU five and a half years ago, after being laid
off from her job in prescription services. She was open to new
opportunities but had two criteria for her future job: A chance to
help other people while working with college students.

“I love answering phones, waiting on students and being a team
player,” Kaufman said.

A native of Dupo, Ill., Kaufman is the second of three children.
Her older brother is a civil engineer and her younger brother, a
truck driver.

Kaufman and her husband Richard have been married for 23 years,
and have an 18-year-old son.

“I don’t feel like I’ve been married that long. I still feel so
young,” she said.

Kaufman’s free spirit keeps her young at heart, as she and her
husband traveled to Sturgis, S.D. this summer for “Biker Week.”

Kaufman already has her eyes set on another motorcycle.

“She is a unique individual,” Lyons said.

And when the wind’s not blowing through her hair, Kaufman
oversees the Student Life suite, serving as an office manager for
Community Outreach, Student Life, The Cross Cultural Center and the
Busch Student Center.

Kaufman admits that her job keeps her busy, but also comes with
several perks.

“It’s great to see freshmen come in and watch them leave as
seniors, seeing how much they’ve grown,” she said.

Kaufman socializes with all individuals, but is especially
protective of her work-study students.

“She will take any jab thrown at her, but she doesn’t like it
when the jabs are directed at one of her student workers. If it has
to do with her, it’s OK,” Twele said.

Those who know Kaufman say her sense of humor dominates her
personality.

“She’s funny…She doesn’t even mean to be. That’s what’s great
about her,” Lyons said.

Perhaps it’s the candy bowl on her desk or the signs that thank
you for visiting that keeps students swarming her office, but Lyons
attributes it to something else.

“Cheryl treats students with respect. She has fun with
them…She makes people want to come back,” he said.