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Behind every clean classroom and manicured campus is a dedicated team working hard behind the scenes. To celebrate Labor Day, we talked to a couple of staff members whose daily efforts keep Black Hawk College (BHC) running smoothly. This Labor Day, we thank staff members like Van DeVilder and Kevin Nagle for their hard work and commitment to our community.
Van DeVilder
Van DeVilder joined BHC as assistant superintendent of facilities last year. In his role, he oversees the maintenance and custodial teams.
DeVilder said facilities teams at both campuses will help each other, and the facilities and grounds team work together to continue making the college look nice to everyone who steps on it.
“We’ve taken down the walls between the departments so that we can work together to achieve our goal [of supporting students, faculty and staff]. We’re all one team, and I feel like we’ve done a pretty good job of that.”
The supportive community at BHC and emphasis on teamwork has remained one of the most rewarding aspects of his role. DeVilder brings that same effort to his team, which extends into the work they achieve.
“I get a lot of compliments across the board about how good this area is looking, and I pass those compliments onto my team, so they know what they are doing does make a difference,” DeVilder said. “The guys really like to know that what they do shows up and people notice it because they feel appreciated; it puts a spring in their step.”
Kevin Nagle
For two years, Kevin Nagle has served as assistant superintendent of grounds. Before joining BHC, he worked in the field for over 20 years.
Growing up, Nagle spent his years hunting, fishing and playing with his friends in the woods. These early years deepened his interest in being outdoors and working outside.
“The rewarding part of the job is finishing mowing the property, stepping back and looking at what you and your team have accomplished. Same thing for snow removal. You only get a few hours to get everything done before students start arriving,” Nagle said.
To maintain campus beauty, grounds team members spend multiple days mowing acres of land. They also trim plants monthly.
As assistant superintendent of the grounds department, Nagle said what keeps him and his team moving and mowing is who it directly impacts.
“I just try to keep the place looking decent, nice for future students, so the grass and flowers, shrubs, all look great here. Also, ensuring it’s well-manicured, so you see that person cares about who he works for and what he does.”