Get to know F&S: Sonia Pimentel

An award-winning campus mainstay, Caretaker Sonia Pimentel has been hard at work on the University of Toronto’s St. George campus for over 15 years

If you have ever entered the Anthropology Building, you have likely come across Sonia Pimentel, or at the very least, seen the immense impact she has on the space. 

For nearly 16 years Pimentel has worked on the University of Toronto’s St. George campus, first for the Department of Economics and most recently for the Department of Anthropology.  

Her steady presence was recognized earlier this year with an Operations & Real Estate Partnerships Service Excellence award. According to OREP: “At Anthropology, clients speak highly of her reliability, professionalism and the pride she brings to her work. Sonia consistently goes above and beyond — taking initiative, resolving issues quickly and maintaining safe, spotless spaces with a strong sense of responsibility…[she] is one of the department’s most dependable and respected team members.” 

A typical day, which starts around 4 p.m. for Pimentel, begins with changing into her uniform and ensuring her cart is set up with all of the products she needs, from floor to glass cleaners, brooms, chalk refills, garbage bags and more. She then proceeds to work from the top of the building downwards, finishing the most highly trafficked area, the ground floor, long after the last student has left for the day. “We take care of everything,” Pimentel says with a smile, “we make sure the classrooms are ready, the bathrooms are clean, the floors are mopped and the fans are dusted.”  

Pimentel describes the satisfying nature of the work, and how she enjoys the chance to build relationships with others in the building. “It’s really all about the people” she says. “You get to be a part of people’s lives and see their progress.” Anthropology is a special place to Pimentel, who has found it to be a welcoming department, with friendly faces —  in addition to interesting historical artifacts and skulls —  in abundance. 

Fall, with its influx of students and faculty back on campus, is Pimentel’s favourite season for exactly that reason. She looks forward to that excited back-to-school energy every year, especially after the relative quiet of summer. “It’s exciting, you know?” she says.  

When she’s not at work, Pimentel loves to listen to all different kinds of music, spend time in nature and often can be found cooking, one of her great loves. “Cooking and cleaning” she laughs, “I know it sounds boring, but those are the things I like!” When she spoke with us, it was shrimp linguine on the menu that day for dinner at her house, and Portuguese music, her favourite, in her headphones.  

Say hello to your Caretaker when you get a chance! Not sure who yours may be? Find your caretaker and learn more about the team.