Many students claim that the best part of attending Oberlin is the people, or, more specifically, the students. Oberlin’s staff must not be overlooked, however — they are equally noteworthy.

Ann Mickel, or Miss Ann as most students call her, works at the front desk of the financial aid office. Her friendly and welcoming nature has impacted many students to an extent that has gained her wide recognition on campus.

“I really love working with students,” she said. “I really, really love my job.”

Mickel has been working at Oberlin for the past ten years — at the same front desk the entire time. She came to Oberlin from Chicago because she thought it would be a better place to raise her two daughters.

She applied for the job at the College after taking temporary positions at various other places around town. At first, she hoped not to receive her current position because of past negative experiences with a financial aid office when she was a college student.

“It’s funny,” she said, “because financial aid was the thing that kept me from getting my degree.”

Once hired, Mickel was determined not to allow that to happen again. She tries to act in a way that will lead to interactions and relationships of mutual respect.

“I’m [going to] treat [the students] the way I wanted somebody to treat me when I went into that office when I was a student,” she said. “That’s part of what helps me do my job so well — I’m looking at every student as me.”

The financial aid office recognizes Mickel’s positive office approach.

“I’ve been told it’s no accident I’m sitting in the front, because when you walk in, first thing you see [is that] I’m greeting you with a smile,” she said. “It’s no accident I’m here.”

Mickel, who is also called Mama Ann by some, invests herself personally in each student.

“When I started here, I became like the mother on campus,” she said. “When they come in without a hat on their heads, I say, ‘Why don’t you have your hat on? It’s cold outside!’”

In addition to the care she offers students, Mickel is quick to point out that they have given back to her as well. For example, when she had to take sick leave for over a year, some students called her at home out of concern. In addition, when her daughters were growing up, students took interest in their well being and served as role models.

“[My family and I] don’t have a lot of family here, so Oberlin College students were and still are our family,” she said. “My daughter is a junior in college and she still said, ‘Mom, I had a lot of brothers and sisters.’”

Mickel, despite her obvious concern for students, still feels that she lacks in some ways.

“I just can’t give all the students what they need,” she said. “I wish I could solve every problem. One thing that impresses me a lot is that when the students come in and don’t get what they need, they still leave with a smile on their face, they’re still so gracious… and I think it’s a lot of how they are treated. I go the extra mile, I do a lot of things that I probably shouldn’t do.”

Mickel acts in ways that go beyond her prescribed job description. She has even flagged students down at the grocery store and offered them her cell phone number to make sure that they have all of their financial aid forms in order. She describes her hope that students always know that she is there to help them, and urges them to pay attention to financial aid mail.

“If you don’t know what [the mail] means, call!” she said. “You’re never a bother, you can always come into the office — we have an open door policy. Even if you don’t receive financial aid, that’s no excuse not to see Miss Ann. You can still come in, introduce yourself, take a piece of candy… I have care for all students on campus. I would like to get to know them all.”

Though Mickel’s effect on campus already extends beyond her desk, she has plans for further outreach: to spend a day in Wilder surprising students with free servings of her homemade chili. This idea is rooted in her attempt to connect with as many students as she can.