‘The students … become like your own children’
Kim Sue Lee
ADMINISTRATIVE GENERALIST COORDINATOR, IU DINING & HOSPITALITY
Fall 2024 marks Kim Lee’s 34th year working in IU Dining, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Kim’s work at IU has taken her from the dining room to serving food to washing dishes all the way to her current coordinator role (in 1998). Kim works closely with General Manager Tyler Harden to process payroll and maintenance, order supplies, and be generally helpful at Read Hall Eatery and the eateries at Goodbody and Collins.
Her goal: to help employees solve challenges before they get to Tyler. Sometimes that means stepping in to cover a kitchen shift or clarifying training instructions. Since the start of fall semester, Kim has regularly rolled up her sleeves and popped back into the dish room whenever an extra pair of hands is needed. “The best part of my position is just being with the staff and students,” she said. “When you work here, you become a family.”
Q: What initially led you to Indiana University and what has inspired you to stay?
A: When I was in high school, I worked in IU housing during the summers with my mother. I also worked at my best friend’s family restaurant, so I was no stranger to food service. When I started my first IU job in January of 1990, I never dreamed that I would still be here 34 years later! I’ve made a lot of good friends in IU Dining. When you work here, you become a family. I am also attached to the students, who have become like my own children.
Q: What do you want people to know about your work that they may not know?
A: When I started at IU in January 1990, I worked in the dining room. After an arm injury and four surgeries, I was called in to answer phones and help with other office duties. It went so well that, when my surgeon said I couldn’t return to my old job, my manager created a permanent office position for me! So that is why my position exists.
Q: What's the best part of your job and why?
A: The best part of my position is just being with the staff and students. I love getting to know each and every person that I work with. I love being able to help each person in any way that I can. Everyone is different in their own way. And no two days are ever the same. My job description is the same, but things are interesting and different every day.
Q: Favorite IU event(s)?
A: My husband and I occasionally go to the IU Auditorium. We went to see Dennis James one year for Halloween, which is my husband's favorite holiday! We have gone a few times to see the Chimes of Christmas.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
A: We love to travel. Before we were married, I had never seen the ocean or been outside Indiana. My husband took me on a Caribbean Cruise. I think he regrets it now because that’s all I want to do … cruise! :) I have been on cruises across the U.S. and to Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean (several times), and Europe.
Q: What advice do you give people who want to do what you do professionally?
A: Work or help in different areas so you have an idea of how dining operates. It is easy to sit back and think you know how something works, but people will respect you more if you’ve actually done the work. Since we started the ReUse Pass reusable container initiative, we have a lot of containers to wash. When I saw that the dish room needed help, I just went back and started working. That is where I have worked at least part of my day every day since fall 2024 semester started.
