Staff Spotlight: Stacey Goliday
By Whitney Tarpy
OXFORD, Miss. – When students and visitors enter the administrative offices at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Stacey Goliday is ready to welcome them and answer their questions.
After accepting the position as the school’s records coordinator one year ago, Goliday quickly made an impact on the school and its students, staff and faculty. In 2019, the student body awarded Goliday its annual Friend of the Student award.
Stacey Goliday
“When I received the email to nominate someone for the Friend of the Student award, it didn’t take long for me to think of the best recipient for this award,” said third-year student pharmacist Jontae Warren. “Ms. Goliday greets everyone who comes into the office with a smile and does whatever she can for students, whether it’s providing words of encouragement, helping plan for trips or making sure everything is taken care of for events we’re hosting.
“She does things outside of her job description, not because she has to, but because she wants to see us all succeed in pharmacy school,” Warren said. “And let’s not forget the basket of candy she keeps at her desk that’s available to anyone.”
Learn more about Goliday in the Q&A below.
School of Pharmacy: Where are you originally from?
Stacey Goliday: I was born and raised here in Oxford, Mississippi. I moved to Texas in 2000 then to Colorado in 2002, which is where I lived until returning to Mississippi.
SOP: What are your responsibilities as records coordinator?
SG: What I do varies based on the time of the academic year. Daily, I am responsible for scheduling meetings in rooms throughout Thad Cochran Research Center and Faser Hall, monitoring key check out and check in, answering calls and assisting visitors. Seasonally, I work on specific projects as they come up. I assist students with required documents and administrators with grade reports. I’m a notary for the School of Pharmacy and I also assist with degree audits, certification and license forms for graduating students.
SOP: What brought you to Ole Miss?
SG: I have always loved Ole Miss. I attended Ole Miss after high school and graduated with my bachelor’s degree in social work. When I moved back to Mississippi, I was fortunate to find a position at Ole Miss.
SOP: What do you enjoy most about your job?
SG: I really enjoy the students, faculty and staff I interact with daily. I am such a people person, so I like to do whatever I can to bring a little smile to someone each day.
SOP: How did you feel when you found out you were the recipient of the Friend of the Students award?
SG: I was completely surprised. I was not expecting it at all. After the initial surprise I was humbled and very grateful to the students. Now I feel honored and blessed to have this opportunity to serve the students, faculty and staff even more than before.
SOP: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
SG: I really enjoy spending time with my family. Living away from Oxford for 18 years I missed a lot of births, birthdays and family dinners. Since I have been home, I get to see my family on a regular basis, which is just a joy.
SOP: What is something most people may not know about you?
SG: Most people don’t know how important my faith is to me. I like to say this joy that I have, the world didn’t give to me. The smile on my face is not because of who I am, but whose I am. What can be better than that?