Spotlight Series: Monica Neal

For Monica Neal, returning to school at Palo Alto College marked the beginning of a new chapter, one rooted in growth, resilience, and setting an example for her children. After spending years in the medical field, Monica enrolled at PAC while balancing life as a mother and working toward a better future. “I just wanted (my children) to see that no matter how old you are or what’s going on in your life, there’s always more that you can seek out,” she shared. 

Monica began in the Healthcare Administration program before continuing her educational journey through the college’s Bachelor of Applied Technology in Management program.

Since arriving at PAC in 2019, Monica has become deeply involved across campus, from participating in the Student Leadership Institute to supporting campus operations through work study opportunities that eventually led to her current full-time role in College Services, Operations, and Safety. What started as a way to gain experience and level up her career in the health field quickly grew into a passion for supporting the campus community behind the scenes.

In her current role as Facilities Schedule Coordinator, Monica helps manage many of the essential functions that keep the campus operating efficiently each day. From coordinating building walkthroughs, badge access, and fire drills to assisting with campus relocations, event logistics, and compliance processes, her work often happens quietly behind the scenes but has a direct impact on the campus experience. “A lot of what we do is the background work nobody sees,” Monica explained. “But people make use of it on a daily basis.” Whether it is preparing spaces for employee and student use, supporting operations requests, or helping maintain safety and accessibility standards across campus, Monica and her team help create an environment where students and employees can focus on learning and working successfully.

Monica says one of the biggest surprises about working in operations and safety was realizing “how much our hands touch everything.” Even the smallest campus updates often involve coordination, planning, and collaboration across multiple departments. She describes the work as highly detail-oriented and deeply connected to keeping the college running smoothly.

Drawn to structure, compliance, and problem-solving, Monica says her background in the medical field helped prepare her for the work she does today. “I like structure,” she said. “Policy, procedure, compliance — that’s what pulled me in.” She credits communication, patience, and attention to detail as some of the most important skills she has developed throughout her career, especially in a role that requires balancing the needs of multiple departments while keeping the bigger picture in mind.

For Monica, her big picture remains her children. “I want them to see that you can always move forward,” she shared. “No matter what age you are or where you are in life, you can continue growing.”

Monica’s relentless passion for improvement plays an important role in shaping the student experience and supporting the success of the campus community. While much of Monica’s work happens behind the scenes, its impact is felt across campus every single day. This month, we are proud to spotlight Monica Neal and recognize the dedication, care, and collaboration she brings to PAC through her work to help keep the college safe, organized, and moving forward.