Feature

Gobeli will retire after 36 years of service

Jennifer Ott
For the Logos

Logos photo by Jennifer Ott Sandi Gobeli (left) works with Kathy Grove in preparation for the transition in the Business Office.

After 36 years of service, Sandi Gobeli, NIACC vice president for Administrative Services, will be retiring. December 29 will mark the culmination of her career at NIACC.

Gobeli started working at NIACC as an Accounts Payable clerk in 1968, which she said was the lowest paid job at the time. She worked her way up to Business Office manager and, in 1993, to her current position as vice president for Administrative Services.

“It’s the greatest place to work,” Gobeli said. Originally she said she wanted to be a teacher, but decided she didn’t have the patience, so this was the next best choice.

Gobeli’s responsibilities include handling the financial side of the college, including the Foundation, supervising the Physical Plant and supervising Human Resources.

Gobeli said she has had fun working with people who enjoy what they are doing.

“Seeing young people or adult learners obtain their goals,” Gobeli said is another aspect she enjoys about working at NIACC.

Unlike some retirees, Gobeli said that migrating south isn’t on her to do list.

Instead, she said she plans to become a Local Lay Pastor in the United Methodist Church.

She said that the church has always been a large part of her life and now she has the chance to become more involved. Gobeli also plans to spend more time with her grandchildren.

Along with taking summer seminary classes, Gobeli would like to take multimedia classes at NIACC to improve her skills.

“I believe in life-long learning,” Gobeli said. She exemplifies this belief not only in her plans for retirement, but according to Dr. Michael Morrison, NIACC president, she also has exemplified it in the duties she has assumed at NIACC.

According to Morrison, Gobeli has taken on different responsibilities for the college that she didn’t have any formal training or education for, such as supervisor of the Physical Plant, supervisor of Human Resources and also as the lead faculty member for Datatel adoption.

Her enthusiasm and passion to learn has been a key player in the success of her career at NIACC.

“She has been a great colleague and friend,” Morrison said. He said he appreciates her contribution not only as a financial leader, but also her participation in educational decisions.

Morrison said that her passion for the college, students, faculty, and constituents is appreciated and she will be missed.

Gobeli said she wouldn’t change her time at NIACC for the world. “It’s going to be hard to go,” Gobeli said.