Jonathan Shafer

Background

About Jonathan Shafer

I have always had a plethora of interests, including: theater, horticulture, architecture, interior design, antiques, cooking and baking, health, exercise and physical fitness, golf and other outdoor activities. My work life has been an equally diverse adventure, filled with opportunities to work in many of the fields that have piqued my interest over the years. Some of my happiest times were spent working with my parents at a small garden center where I learned more than I ever imagined about plants, gardening, landscape design, customer service, and vendor relations. Going back to school for accounting opened the door to learn more about the business side of my many artistic and creative passions. At my present employer, Connecticut College, I started as a part-time bookkeeper. After just two months on the job, I was promoted to full-time bookkeeper and purchasing assistant. About five years later, I was promoted to the role of business manager, overseeing accounting, budgeting, and procurement for some of the college's auxiliary services departments. I now serve as the business services coordinator for the college's department of facilities management. In the spring of 2022, I was nominated for the Connecticut College Presidential Citizenship Award. Here are some of the remarks my colleagues wrote about me in their nominations:"Jonathan's positive attitude and friendly demeanor make even the most overwhelming of tasks much easier. He is a partner in streamlining systems and process improvement. He is not afraid to try something new, especially if it might change a system or process for the better. Jonathan jumps in and gets things done. He is one of those people that can just make your day with an email or phone call. Jonathan is not just excellent at what he does at the college, but he makes the campus a better place. His positive energy and belief in this campus, and the campus community makes him a perfect candidate for the citizenship award.""Jonathan Shafer goes above and beyond all the time. He deals with many staff members both in Dining Services and in other departments across campus as well as with many outside vendors of the college. He is always professional and helpful. He will go out of his way to find the answers to questions he is asked even if they don't pertain directly to his position at the college. He is always one of the first people to volunteer for projects and regularly looks for ways to be more efficient and effective in his role at the college." Let's keep the adventure going!