Brewing Up Success

Yerandi Merlo has been an integral part of the USD community for more than a decade. Still, she was utterly surprised when she was recognized for her service in June. 

Merlo, the manager (unit lead) of Aromas coffeehouse, was awarded the Student Affairs Thomas F. Burke Award for Staff of the Year 2022-23.  

“I’ve known these people for a really long time and now they are recognizing me for something that — in a good way — I did for them, it was a blessing,” Merlo says. “I’m totally thankful and really appreciative that they gave me the chance and definitely see my work.” 

Merlo started working with USD Dining in 2009 and was promoted to her current position in fall 2022. 

“I started in the main dining area helping students, doing the dishes and custodial — I worked from all the way on the bottom to get to where I am now,” she says. 

Aromas coffeehouse is located adjacent to the Immaculata and during the school year, is often packed with students, faculty and staff. 

“Aromas is the spot you must come to — it’s right in the middle of the campus and there’s a lot of stuff you can do here in the morning,” Merlo says. “It's a really nice environment.”

— Story and photos by Matthew Piechalak