Mario Morgan
Meet Mario, a manager of IT Service Desk support staff, aka your friendly neighborhood IT gurus at BuckeyeBar locations and available by phone (614-688-4357). This former lawn-mower had dreams of traveling to the stars, but we’re happy he landed in Buckeye Country. This big family man and original Star Wars fan enjoys the Ohio State culture and knowing he’s making an impact in the world. Outside TNC, you might find him traveling to Orlando with his family or making a trip to Toledo for some Gino’s pizza.
Q: What is your role at the university? IT Service Desk Manager
Q: How long have you worked at Ohio State? 5 and a half years
Q: What does a typical day look like for you? A combination of things: I’m currently working on the service design process for university cellular support. With the Service Desk there are also constant improvement projects. We are currently expanding after-hours monitoring to include network monitoring and creating an SMS channel for support.
Q: What do you like best about your job? I enjoy being a part of The Ohio State University brand and culture. To know you’re helping one of the best and well-known universities in the world make an impact is a special feeling.
Q. How do you create and innovate? I constantly ask “how can we make things better” to challenge my team and myself to improve the experience for all.
Q: Did you always know this is what you wanted to do as a career? I always knew I would be working with computers, and my dream job was to be an astronaut.
Q. Why did you choose to work at Ohio State? Ohio State has always held a special place in my heart. I transferred to Ohio State from University of Toledo to be with my girlfriend who graduated from here – glad it worked out – we’ve been married now for 16 years!
Q. Of what are you most proud? Raising my family.
Q: What was your very first job? I used to cut grass for people when I was 12.
Q: Where are you from originally? Toledo, Ohio
Q: What is your favorite place to visit? Orlando, Florida. My family can’t have me take them here enough! But my trip to Ghana, Africa sticks with me the most.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? I’ve been to 4 continents but Egypt, Australia and Paris are on the top of my bucket list.
Q: Can you tell us about your family? I’ve been married to my wife Sanleda for 16 years. Our daughter Savanna is 13 and in 8th grade. Our son Mario is 18 and a freshman at Morehouse. We also raised my wife’s 2 cousins after their mom died 14 years ago – Isaiah is 25 and works in Columbus and Debralynn is 29 and studying for her Doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh. So, I went from 1 kid to 4 kids in a matter of a year!
Q: What is something most people might be surprised to know about you? I collect fantasy swords.
Q: Favorite place to eat in Columbus? Whoever can deliver me Gino’s Pizza from Toledo!
Q: Best concert you’ve ever been to? My all-time favorite group – New Edition.
Q: Favorite quote? No quote but the entire poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling.
Q: Do you have a favorite book or movie? I’m a huge fan of the original Star Wars movies.
Q: It’s 9 p.m. on a Saturday. What are you doing? If I’m not on a weekend trip somewhere I’m home watching a movie.
Q: Give three adjectives that best describe yourself. Calculating. Versatile. Innovative.