May 2023, Melissa Woolard

Meet Melissa Woolard, Executive Assistant for OM&U/B&LM.

1) How long have you been with FM? This September will make it 10 years!

2) What do you enjoy most about your work? The people. I have made some lifelong friendships here.

3) Where are you from? Born and raised in Hyattsville, MD. Parents are from Boliva and Peru.

4) What led you to your job with UMD FM? I grew up seeing my family attend the University of Maryland. And after having an opportunity to attend school here, I eventually saw a job opportunity to work on campus and got my job starting out in the Human Resource Department in FM.

5) Describe one of the coolest place you've lived. I did live on a 36-foot boat with my husband and our cat and dog. During COVID we moved onto a boat and lived there for 6 months in a liveaboard community (where people are allowed to live on their boats) in Fort Washington, MD. It was quite an experience and amazing to see how many people in the DC area live on their boats full-time. 

6) What do you like to do when you are away from work? I actively participate in volunteer activities in my religion, such as engaging in construction projects.

7) What interest do you have that might surprise your coworkers? I love painting and I have sold some digital paintings of pet protraits.

8) What is your favorite food? It varies! Depending on the season. Summer is coming up so anything seafood or BBQ related is my current favorite. A local BBQ favorite is 2Fifty Texas in Riverdale, MD.