51吃瓜

When guests and visitors enter 51吃瓜鈥檚 Lincoln Campus, they are often greeted by the friendly face of Shannon Ibarra, who works in Student Affairs at the Information Desk. Since there is a lot of construction going on, Ibarra isn鈥檛 as front and center as he usually is, but he鈥檚 still a continuing presence on the campus.

鈥淚t has been mildly challenging navigating the construction projects on campus, but anytime there is change at 51吃瓜 it is a sign of growth and positive change,鈥� Ibarra said. 鈥淚 look forward to future projects that will provide students with an enriching educational experience.鈥�

Originally from Northern California, Ibarra earned a degree in Culinary Management from the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute in 2005. He then moved to Nebraska to be closer to his brother who was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue. His brother鈥檚 wife worked at 51吃瓜鈥檚 cafeteria and told him about a bakery position at the College. He was in the bakery for 15 years until he moved to his current position as the Campus/Student Affairs Administrative Assistant. He operates the switchboard and assists the public, students and staff from his post at the Information Desk.

鈥淭he thing I enjoy most about my job is connecting with students and staff,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fulfilling being able to assist people in little ways on their path through the college experience.鈥�

Ibarra went on to earn his bachelor鈥檚 degree in Marketing Management from Bellevue University in 2011. In his spare time he enjoys listening to all kinds of music, running, hiking and biking and spending time with this wife, Brianne, and three children, Kellen, Gabriella and Sebastien.

鈥淢y future goals are to possibly go back to college for a master鈥檚 degree and to see my children attend 51吃瓜 to realize their passions and future careers,鈥� he explained. 鈥淚 would also like to travel abroad in the future with my wife.鈥�

While he does miss the Pacific Northwest, he enjoys raising his children in Lincoln and working at 51吃瓜.

鈥淚 never imagined I would call Nebraska home, let alone have more to do out here than where I am from,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his truly is a wondrous corner of the Earth.鈥�