When Nabil Shehata immigrated to America with hopes of creating new opportunities for his family, there was only one university that supported him when he faced challenges in how his prior degree transferred – Ohio State. The opportunity to work and take classes for free led Nabil on a journey of unique perspective, selfless leadership and a community full of diverse stories.
As the operations manager for the Office of Student Life Facilities, including the Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC), Nabil oversees a high-performing team that delivers first-rate custodial services in support of the Recreational Sports program. What he values most about his team is that everyone is seen equally while also being praised for their individual stories and backgrounds – many who are in similar positions as Nabil when he started at Ohio State.
“Ohio State sees our people as human beings. They look at their value and embrace it,” Nabil said. “The first day I came to America to work in housekeeping, I realized that so many see cleaning the bathroom as a hard thing. However, I find that it is a really good experience. It teaches you to be grateful for everyone and their experiences.”
Nabil has a professional background in accounting and worked more than 15 years in payroll, overseeing a team of 350 people in Human Resources in Egypt. After winning the immigration lottery, he and his family moved to the United States in 2006 and were excited for this transition in their life. However, Nabil learned that his accounting experience and credentials in Egypt didn’t transfer to similar positions in the United States. He set out looking for work that could also help him update his degrees.
Ohio State was one of the only universities that gave him this opportunity. He took a housekeeping job and used Ohio State’s tuition assistance benefit to pursue degrees in accounting and finance.
“I realized quickly how difficult it was to work, be a full-time student and raise my children,” Nabil reflected. “But Ohio State offered me such great benefits that I went from working in housekeeping, to becoming an interim manager, all the way to operations manager.”
Nabil Shehata is admired for his leadership style, which is characterized by compassion, empathy and a genuine concern for the personal and professional development of his team members. This earned him a 2024 Distinguished Staff Award. Fourteen of these awards are given out annually to nominated staff members who exhibit exceptional commitment to the university’s mission and Shared Values.
“In my heart, I feel like I came from Egypt to the United States for a reason,” Nabil said. “I don’t know that reason, but I feel like I have to do something and make the most of this opportunity. I find myself with 22 team members, each one with a different story, and I feel like I have to help them find what is good for them and how to grow at Ohio State.”
Read more on how Nabil is lifting up those around him.
How would you describe the Ohio State community and what has been the best part about working at the RPAC?
Ohio State is a great institution. When I started working in housekeeping, I never realized how hard it was to clean, even just holding a broom and dustpan was difficult. Yet what I like to tell people is, imagine if the university was out of housekeeping, or if it was landscaping or maintenance. The university couldn’t run without housekeeping! Just because people see it as lower on the totem poll doesn’t mean its not important, the people that do those jobs are amazing people. And it’s great experience for everyone.
Working on the partnership with Rec Sports and the RPAC has been an amazing opportunity as well. They know what they are doing, and they want to do more and more for the university. They make it easy for me, so I make it easy for them! I’ve seen firsthand how much growth the university has made within their facilities – they see everyone as equal, listen and don’t treat us like machines. That’s why I’m here.
How do you appreciate and show value to your team?
Essentially, all the people I work with are like family to me. I call the electric company for them, I take them to the hospital, I give them rides if their car is broken. I think about if I was in that situation, so offering help is non-negotiable. Help should always be offered, and that’s what I love to do!
Even just listening and being closer to your coworkers is one of the most important ways to show appreciation. Don’t create a gap between you and your staff, that is the best advice I can give. Knowing your staff helps you realize weaknesses and strengths and understanding that is what creates success. Investing your time in your workers creates a good team. It’s not all about education and experience but the effect you can have on those around you.
And I know I appreciate my team well because all my staff was at the award ceremony, and they loved it more than me! And I am so happy they were there. That award isn’t mine; my staff own it.
Can you tell me about an impactful experience or person that helped you get where you are now?
I work with a lot of offices and a lot of people, but after all these years I have never seen someone care about the staff and university as much as my leader Bridget. She does such an awesome job for the university and has helped not just me but all the operations managers across campus.
One of Bridget’s best qualities is that she always shows up for her staff and community. We had a difficult situation, and when I called her, she was there within three minutes. Another time I told her one of the staff members was in the hospital, and within 10 minutes she was there. She is that type of person. She helped me see the type of person I want to be, and I know that whatever my future endeavors are, she will support me.
How do you feel Ohio State helps you achieve your goals?
At the moment, my goal isn’t to stay working in housekeeping. I’m not saying that it’s bad, but I have something inside of me that wants to do more. And my leader sees that in me. She was the one that even encouraged me to apply to the operations manager position. I ran the RPAC as interim manager for 2 years but didn’t think I could advance. But my manager supported me, I applied, and look at me now! That is Ohio State. The university is a great place to achieve your goals. If you’re working hard, Ohio State will put those opportunities in front of you.