60 Years of Stories! Arerevure 'Candy' Maxwell

“When I tell someone that I work at St. Louis Community College, everyone seems to have a connection to STLCC. And most of the time I actually know the person because I’ve been here for over 20 years. It feels outstanding to have those connections.”

~Arerevure ‘Candy’ Maxwell, housekeeper, St. Louis Community College-Forest Park, 1997 to present

On May 12, 2022, Arerevure ‘Candy’ Maxwell celebrated her 25th year in the custodial department at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park. Originally from Nesbit, Mississippi, after high school, Maxwell moved to East St. Louis, Illinois.

She was persistent when she applied for the job at STLCC: “I emailed, called and sent in multiple applications,” she said. “I printed out a thank you letter before I even went in for my interview so I could mail it right away. I targeted STLCC because I knew it was a great place to work with great benefits. I got this job through my determination.”

Maxwell has worked in different roles, on varied shifts and several buildings at STLCC-Forest Park, allowing her to connect with countless faculty, staff and students. A self-described people-person, Maxwell’s favorite part of the job is interacting with students. “The students are what I live for,” she said. “I’m always working to make them happy because I want them to appreciate and enjoy STLCC. That’s my job - to represent STLCC the best I can and to make sure students and staff have a great experience.”

Her impact on campus goes beyond her official job responsibilities. She’s known for organizing celebrations - specifically retirement parties - and making “a big old card” for people who are retiring. “I walk around with it and people always write the most wonderful things.”

Maxwell’s positive energy and generous nature have led to many close relationships. She has even taken care of co-workers’ families in her spare time. “I guess people fell in love with me and asked me to come into their homes and help take care of their loved ones,” she said. “That was just an honor to me.” Thinking back on specific memories, she said, “There was a time I would go and care for the mother of a professor during the day when I was off. The funniest lady I ever saw. She was such a joy. I got so close with her that I called her ‘Mom.’”

While Maxwell has shown consistent kindness to others, the people at STLCC have returned the favor. “The STLCC-Forest Park community has been good to me,” she said. “When I was out sick, so many people reached out to me with well wishes and support. It helps me realize that whatever I was doing, it meant something to them.”

Next year, she plans to host a party for STLCC retirees to visit and get together again. “I want to do it for them because those are some of the people that have helped me along the way.”

As she looks to the future and her own eventual retirement, Maxwell knows she’ll fondly remember St. Louis Community College. “My experience at STLCC has impacted my life tremendously. I have met phenomenal people in at the College and I’ve loved my time here.”