Cheryl Reinagel, of Kelso, Mo., is the  administrative assistant  for the Department of Agriculture.  Though this is but one department it entails working budgets for three research centers; the David M. Barton Research Farm, Charles Hutson Horticulture Greenhouse, Charles Nemanick Alternative Agriculture Garden and the Missouri Rice Research Farm as well as numerous grants that the department has obtained.

Although her duties and responsibilities have evolved throughout the years, her work philosophy has remained the same.

“Having a clear perspective and positive attitude has a huge impact on the pulse and rhythm of the office each day,” she says. “To me, the glass is always (at least) half full.”

Reinagel, a graduate of Jackson High School, started work in Southeast’s personnel services in1998. As senior administrative assistant for the schools of Extended Learning and Polytechnic Studies her work has changed significantly.

“Most often, I’m referred to as ‘the go-to person’ for a variety of entities within the Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Center, and the Horticulture complex,” she explains.

In 2010, Reinagel was nominated and presented with an Employee Recognition Award in recognition of her extraordinary and significant accomplishments. She was nominated for her academic work, when she took on additional responsibilities in the absence of the administrative assistant in the Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology, as well as her commitment to the student experience.

Reinagel, who has herself taken classes at Southeast, knows about the struggle most students have balancing work and school.

“Our students often balance classes and homework, with one or two jobs, and I think it’s important for them to always remember to be a student first,” she says. “I enjoy working with students in our office, and often become a ‘campus mom’ to them.”

“We have international students taking classes in our building, and I enjoy learning more about these students and their cultures,” as well, she said.

It was the campus’s cultural diversity that strongly impacted Reinagel’s decision to work at Southeast.

“I chose Southeast because it offers a unique opportunity to work in a culturally diverse setting filled with opportunities to grow and develop professionally,” she said.

Her desire to help and teach extends far beyond her position at Southeast. She dedicates much of her spare time to teaching cooking classes with her sister-in-law and to working with the global ministry, Soles4Souls. She assists students in their efforts to highten awareness by advising two student organizations, Soles4Souls on Campus and Tom's on Campus. 

“I’m quite passionate about the ministry and I love teaching cooking classes,” she explains. “It’s our hope that the cooking and baking doesn’t become a lost art.”

An avid Cardinals fan she likes blending her vacation time with her hobby.

“I hope to return to Jupiter, Florida, to Cardinals spring training. Spending a week on a tranquil beach, is very therapeutic for me, I hope to return to Jupiter, Florida, to Cardinal spring training as this is the best of both worlds for me…the beach and Cardinal baseball!” she says.

Reinagel concludes by offering her “work-in-progress” philosophy on life: “live more simply that others may simply live.”