Employee Spotlight: Gillis Baugh
Gillis Baugh joined Cape Fear Community College in the fall of 2023, bringing with her a diverse professional background in hospitality, food service, and hotel management. Her experience equips her with a strong work ethic and a versatile skill set, allowing her to excel in both independent and collaborative roles. Beyond her professional life at CFCC, Gillis is an animal advocate, artist, and beach enthusiast who enjoys creative projects and has a keen interest in classic rock. Discover more about her journey, interests, and what led her to CFCC.
What year did you start working at CFCC, and what brought you here?
I started working at CFCC in the fall of 2023. Between living in Downtown Wilmington for 6 years, and managing a nearby boutique hotel, I have enjoyed watching the growth in this area. In this time, I also met my best friend Beth who has worked here at CFCC for many years, who had nothing but good things to say about working here.
Can you tell us about your academic background and what inspired you to pursue a career in the sciences?
After attending the University of Arkansas for three years in the mid-90s, the advancement in technology started taking over, and I realized this was not for me. I shifted focus to hospitality and food service. From owning and managing restaurants, from front of house, to back of house, and hotel management, I’ve done it all. Coming from the hospitality field I knew a career in the custodial sciences would be right up my alley and fulfill my need for cleanliness and order.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I thrive with jobs that require structure, hard work, and provide the freedom to work on tasks by myself. At CFCC I know they trust that my job will get done, and in return I am a loyal employee and take pride in seeing the job completed. However, working with a supervisor who respects and appreciates me is one of the favorite parts of my job, so Tenial has made this job a pleasure to do. Also being able to walk to work is a huge bonus!
When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?
After growing up in Arkansas, and spending a year off grid in Alaska, I wanted to be somewhere a little warmer with a sandy beachy. I love going to the beach whenever I have even a couple free hours.
Regardless of the weather, when I’m not working you can find me feeding stray animals, or working on a painting or interior design project, with a murder tv show on in the background. I am very passionate about no animal going hungry and am a member of the ASPCA.
Who had the most significant influence on your education or career path?
My parents instilled a strong work ethic in me, teaching me to always work hard and no matter what happens, as long as you have a job, things will be ok.
What is something not many people know about you?
My favorite band of all time is Meatloaf, and while I have 27 tattoos, I’ve never dyed my hair.
