Pam Cassidy

Pam works for Campus Services as a catering administrator and started working here some 45 years ago.

She says that her career interests can be attributed to her mum, as growing up in Huyton with her three siblings, every Sunday she would help with the cooking and baking.

When she left school Pam attended Colquitt Street Catering College to study hotel, catering and management, and soon after got a job catering for the directors and managers of an American company.

In 1978, an opportunity arose for her to join the C.F. Mott College of Education – which eventually merged with the polytechnic in 1983 which later became LJMU – and she has been here ever since.

“One of the main reasons I decided to apply was that I would be dealing with lots of different people and cultures, and their diverse menu requirements really appealed to me. I started work as a chef and then came into the city campus as a catering manager and I have worked in all the LJMU buildings. I took the decision to step down to catering administrator several years ago, so I could take care of my mum.”

Pam has so many memorable moments from her career to date at LJMU, from graduation events to even preparing food for a group of chefs working at the British Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. But even decades into the role, she still gets enjoyment from university life.

“I love my job and my favourite part of the year is September. To see all those fresh faces come back to campus and to be the friendly face they see every morning as they get to grips with university life is so rewarding. When summer comes and the buildings get a bit quieter, I really miss the students and can’t wait for the buzz that a new academic year brings.

“Being here for over 45 years, I’ve worked many catering events. One of the most memorable was a dinner at I.M. Marsh with the Mayor of Liverpool and over 500 guests. I remember rushing back and forth with dinner plates to keep everything running smoothly. The event went fantastically well, and I remember all my colleagues being so happy at how successful it was. We also got so much praise from everyone who attended, including the Mayor!”

Pam is also incredibly proud of her two sons who have gone on to study at university. Her eldest son studied to become a teacher with LJMU, carrying on the family connection to the university, like so many families in Merseyside and the wider Liverpool City Region who have come to study or work here with us.