Before students start filling the quad for 8 a.m. classes, Desiree York has already cleaned the hallways and greeted nearly everyone who passes by.
Desiree, a custodian at Commonwealth University – Bloomsburg, has worked at the university for almost 11 years. Now in her second year stationed in the same residence hall, by student request, she’s cleaned nearly every building on campus except for Centennial. Her dedication and relationships with students make her stand out among the campus community.
From Monday to Friday, she works 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., cleaning the first and second floors of Schuylkill Hall for the second consecutive year. Her family jokes that she’s “crazy” for loving to clean so much, but Desiree takes immense pride in her work and in the connections she’s able to make with students.
Formerly on the night shift cleaning academic buildings, she’s grateful for the chance to now spend more time with her family and interact with students throughout the day.
Although she loves her job, there have been some memorable challenges. She laughs while recalling one night in the Old Science building when five bats swooped out of nowhere, making her drop into a fetal position and scream. Having worked in every dorm building, she’s seen the different personalities of each hall — from students in Elwell Hall removing bathroom stall hinges (one even fell on her mid-cleaning) to the daily unpredictability of student life. Like the students, the custodial staff has also felt the effects of the Commonwealth University integration, facing more work with fewer hands on deck.
“We used to have 89 custodial staff when I first started here and 10 temps,” she said. “We don’t even get that anymore; you can only do so much in 7.5 hours.”
While there are challenges, Desiree’s impact is seen across the board. Her coworkers describe her as “the ultimate team player,” always willing to help no matter where she’s needed, even if it’s across campus.
Casey Sexton, a second-year RA in Schuylkill Hall, said, “Des is the most committed person I have ever met. She is always there to say hello to us and takes pride in creating an environment where we as students can thrive.” Desiree remembers crying to her boss this summer after hearing that students had emailed, asking for her to return to Schuylkill Hall because of her attentiveness and kindness.
For Desiree, the job is about much more than cleaning floors or wiping down windows — it’s about caring for the people who call Bloomsburg home. When asked what her favorite part of the job was, she smiled and said, “Making you students so happy and seeing your guys’ faces… and then hearing the sweet ‘oh! thank you for all you do.’” Her quiet dedication keeps Schuylkill Hall running, but it’s her warmth and laughter that make it feel like family.
