Annie Yu: How long have you been at New Paltz and how did you end up here?
Nancy Southworth: I’ve lived in New Paltz all my life and I enrolled at SUNY New Paltz about one year ago. My friend told me there were some positions opening up because they just opened up new food establishments like Mojavista and Sushi.
AY: What is your favorite thing about working at the college?
NS: The students. It’s just a bright spot everyday. They’re so pleasant and friendly. It’s nice to be around a generation of future leaders.
AY: Since you’re a native of New Paltz, what is your favorite thing about town or the campus?
NS: The view of the college is the best. Even when you go to the sky top tower at Mohonk, all you can see is the New Paltz college and it’s just such a nice and peaceful place.
AY: Being around food all the time, what is your favorite thing to eat?
NS: Italian food. I love chicken parmesan and I make it the best so I never buy it out.
AY: What do you like to do when you’re not working?
NS: Bake. Garden. I just planted all my vegetable plants for my vegetable garden. I also like to drive my four-wheeler and spend time with my husband and my grandkids. Addlyn is 3 years old and Alana is just a year old. They live in Florida but I see them every few months. In May, at the end of the school year, I have plans to spend a month in Florida with my grandbabies.
AY: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
NS: Greece. The people there are just so laidback. My oldest son has been there and he called me and said, “Ma, if you could go somewhere, go to Greece.”
AY: What is some of the best advice you’ve heard that you want to pass on to the graduating students?
NS: Never give up. What is out there is yours for the taking. Persistence pays. That’s what I tell my own kids and it’s proved true so far. I tell them they could do whatever they want. I have three kids who have all been to college. My youngest is getting her bachelor’s to be a registered nurse and my oldest son is in Washington, D.C. I’ve taught him to take care of who’s around him and he lobbies for peace. If you are persistent in what you want, you will succeed.