Anyone who knows Jacqui Lee-Ivey would agree that her passion for her team and the entire Saint Ignatius community is unmatched. Currently working her 26th year at Saint Ignatius, Ivey has continually proven to go above and beyond for the benefit of the school. As part of Saint Ignatius High School’s Women’s History Month celebration, we are proud to feature our Wildcat Woman of the Week, Ms. Jacqui Lee-Ivey of the Department of Campus Operations.
As the Director of Facilities and Events, Jacqui’s role has grown and shifted throughout the years. She currently oversees facility reservations, event set-up and tear-down, all second shift maintenance and custodial cleaning services.
“This type of work generally has a lot of turnaround, but my [custodial services] team is really awesome. Everyone is always willing to jump right in and go above and beyond. They’re like my family.”
Back in 2012, Jacqui was instrumental in starting the Student Work Program. This opportunity teaches participants the importance of time management, financial literacy, work ethic and other soft skills that will benefit the students far beyond their high school years. These paid custodial positions ultimately expose the students to a professional work environment. “I bring in speakers from different fields (not just custodial) to speak about personal branding and their futures as they get ready to move onto college," Jacqui explained. Jacqui’s team is currently made up of five direct reports, 13 staff cleaners and 12 student workers.
Although Jacqui has achieved numerous goals throughout her tenure, among her proudest accomplishments was starting Saint Ignatius High School’s annual Black History Month celebration, observed every February. “It was my goal to include everybody in this month-long observation, because black history is truly everyone’s history. I wanted to bring light to things that we don’t normally hear about.”
At first, Jacqui brought the celebration to campus in small ways. She decorated the Campus Operations office door and bulletin board with information about the products and tools invented by African Americans that we use on an everyday basis. “I wanted to show the great influence African Americans have had on our country and the very specific ways our work has been shaped by their innovations.”
Saint Ignatius’ Black History Month observation has grown throughout the years, and has since included various guest speakers, school assemblies, jazz and gospel shows, historical musicals, lunchtime concerts, line dancing and Black Music Fridays. In addition, we proudly display Black History Month facts, tee shirts and banners around our campus each February.
“Everything I do at Saint Ignatius is done with love, because I care deeply about this community. I am so fortunate to be a part of it and to be working with such wonderful people. My goal is for everyone to feel that they’re embraced and cared about.”