By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Ella Herrarte-Monterroso wakes up well before the sun rises, ready to make the 40-minute commute to work.
She’s among the first people to arrive on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus, clocking in at 5 a.m. for her job as a custodian in Mantor Hall.
While most of the students are still sleeping, Herrarte-Monterroso begins her daily routine. For the past six years, she’s been part of the team that takes care of this UNK residence hall, making sure it’s a clean, safe and inviting environment for the Lopers who live there.
The Lexington resident says she’s “blessed” to be at UNK, where she’s surrounded by supportive supervisors, kind co-workers and friendly students.
Those who interact with Herrarte-Monterroso each day feel the same way about her.
“Ella is the heart of our campus home here in Mantor Hall. She is constantly working to make the environment as welcoming as possible for the folks who live and work in the building,” said Jen Harvey, director of the Thompson Scholars Learning Community.
Harvey describes her colleague as hardworking and detail-oriented, someone who “takes ownership of her role on campus.” She approaches her job with a positive attitude and sense of pride, according to Harvey.
And, most importantly, she treats everyone in the building like family.
“Ella consistently builds rapport with the campus community, whether it’s staff, students or visitors,” said Brenda Marker, custodial manager for UNK Facilities Management and Planning. “She truly cares about the students in her building. She has excellent communication skills and an empathetic nature, allowing her to build positive relationships with everyone she meets.”
SOMEBODY WHO CARES
No matter how busy she is, Herrarte-Monterroso always finds time to engage and connect with students.
These interactions can be as simple as a smile and a quick comment:
Good morning.
How are you?
Have a good day.
Or they can be more in-depth conversations about a student’s life and campus involvement.
Herrarte-Monterroso used to work at the Parent-Child Center, a Lexington nonprofit that assists people impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, so she understands the power of listening.
“All of the students have different backgrounds. Some have happy backgrounds and healthy relationships at home, but some of them don’t,” she said. “That’s why this is important to me. I want every student to feel like somebody cares about them. Even a brief conversation can make a big difference.”
UNK junior Briana Marquez lived in Mantor Hall during her first two years on campus and currently serves as an undergraduate assistant for the Thompson Scholars Learning Community, which provides additional academic and personal support for recipients of the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarship.
She called Herrarte-Monterroso “the absolute best,” a friendly, caring person who brings warmth and comfort to campus.
“My interactions with Ella have been super meaningful,” Marquez said. “She’s just one of those people who makes you feel seen, because she genuinely cares about students. That kind of friendliness makes a huge difference, especially when you’re away from home. She helps build a strong sense of community where everyone feels welcome.”
‘THE BEST MOTHER EVER’
Outside her Loper family, Herrarte-Monterroso and her husband Carlos have four children of their own.
Their oldest daughter Martha was the first to attend college, with financial assistance from the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarship.
“That scholarship was very important, because it eliminated a lot of the financial burden and took that weight off my parents’ shoulders. It definitely opened a lot of doors for me,” said Martha, who graduated from UNK in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in interior design. She currently works as a kitchen and bath design/sales specialist at Builders in Kearney.
Younger sister Karla is a sophomore at UNK, where she’s studying advertising and public relations. She also received the Buffett Scholarship, along with a Bilingual Service Scholarship from UNK, and is part of the Thompson Scholars Learning Community.
Karla lived in Mantor as a freshman before moving to another residence hall on campus. When their schedules align, she still enjoys meeting her mother there for a home-cooked meal and conversation during lunchtime.
“She’s just an amazing woman and person – the best mother ever,” Karla said.
“She’s always wanted the best for all of her kids,” Martha added. “That’s something we saw when we were growing up.”
And it’s something the students in Mantor Hall see now.
Herrarte-Monterroso is there every day before the sun rises, ready to greet them with a warm smile and words of encouragement.
“I don’t want anybody to think that they don’t belong here,” she said. “Everyone has value and they’re worth something. So keep going. Pursue your dream. If the goal is to get a college degree, then get it.”
