A Standing Ovation

Each year, Dining Services staff can nominate their colleagues for a University of Richmond (UR) Business Affairs Award, which is based on the values of service, innovation, and conservation. In December 2022, Tishelle Cosby, a line service associate for the Heilman Dining Center (HDC), won for her dedication to her job, positively impacting her peers, and making students feel at home at UR.

Born and raised in the city of Richmond, Cosby joined the HDC team in 2017 and now considers UR her second home. Cosby did not know she was among the 62 award nominees until she conversed with her co-worker at the division-wide meeting (as it turns out, they nominated each other!).

One of the most moving moments in Cosby’s life was getting a standing ovation upon receiving her Business Affairs Award from President Kevin Hallock. Cosby said she was shocked when they called her name as one of the winners, and tears came down her face when she looked around her. Tearing up again as she described the moment, she stated, “I have never felt that in my life. A standing ovation? That has never happened to me.”

Cosby’s favorite part of the role is interacting with students every day. When asked about her biggest passion outside of work, Cosby was quick to say her two daughters. Not wanting to be more than a car ride away from their mom, they are both attending college in Virginia and will be graduating in the next two years. “I’m very proud about getting two girls up and off to college as a single parent,” she said, adding that she tries to provide Spiders the same comforts her daughters look for while away at school.

FUN FACT: Tishelle’s favorite dining hall dishes are either baked chicken or the varieties of soup served between October and March.