The Building Services team provides routine, intermittent and restorative cleaning for all academic, research, residence hall and athletic facilities on campus. On a daily basis they support the university’s mission to provide students, faculty and staff with top quality academic, research and employment experiences by maintaining more than 100 buildings throughout NIU’s 756-acre campus.
Throughout the summer, NIU Today will introduce a team member who works behind-the-scenes to make campus a welcoming place to work, learn and live.
Debbie McGinn
Name: Debbie McGinn
Hometown: Rochelle
Years working at NIU: 11
Areas covered on campus: Grant Towers and Northern View apartments.
Debbie McGinn has been a valuable part of the Building Services team for more than a decade. For the 67-year-old mother of two and grandma of four, working on the crew at Grant Towers and Northern View apartments is like working with family.
“I love my coworkers,” McGinn said. “We have a good time; we help each other when it’s necessary and we help each other when it isn’t necessary – just because. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
McGinn said the 11-member team treats one another with mutual respect which makes spending her days on campus a great place to be.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” McGinn said. “I am really close with the crew and I can always count on them.”
While she is known for her positive attitude and work ethic, McGinn is also known for her culinary talents.
“I like to cook and bake and I bring my leftovers to work to share,” McGinn said. “We have potlucks and everyone gets involved; it’s like having a holiday a million times a year.”
When McGinn is not sharing a meal with her coworkers and making NIU a better place, she enjoys spending time with her family and grandkids. She is also an avid reader, sewer, crafter and movie watcher.
