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Finding a Family Feeling at Duke

Vanessa Sellars has spent decades building relationships on campus

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Vanessa Sellars poses with President Richard H. Brodhead after the 2008 Presidential Award ceremony. Photo courtesy of Vanessa Sellars.

Name: Vanessa SellarsPosition: Business manager, Medical Center LibraryYears at Duke: 27

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What I do at Duke: I’m responsible for all financial aspects of the library, including facilities, personnel, contracts and developing our budget. I do regular analysis of expenses and financial statements to make sure we’re staying within our budget. No two days are the same because there are so many things I can do, especially if I have to adjust projections and figure out where we can get money for something. 

If I had $5 million, I would: I’m pretty close to retirement, so I’d put it toward that. I want to travel and spend time with my husband and grandchildren. I don’t need a lot of material things, so I’d use it all to enjoy my time. I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii.

My first ever job: When I was 16, I delivered trays of food to patients in the burn unit of Duke Hospital after school. One of my mother’s friends worked there and she told my mom about this job, which allowed teenagers to work evenings delivering food. It was an easy way to make money, so I did that for two years when I was in high school. It made me very humble because I saw many people who suffered a lot and were willing to do anything to get their health back.

The best advice I ever received: One of the first people I worked for at Duke was Herbert Aikens, the director of Human Resources at the time. He told me there’s no mistake you can make that you couldn’t correct, which was important because I grew up living in fear of messing something up. I was dealing with taxes, incomes and benefits, so I was so nervous I became obsessive. He told me not to put so much pressure on myself, which was very helpful to me as a 20 year old and still to this day when I’m 60. 

What I love about Duke: I was born at Duke Hospital, had my first job at Duke and I’ve lived and worked in Durham for most of my adult life. I love all the relationships I’ve made during that time and the way people have mentored me. There’s something special about our community and a sense of family you build by being here.

When I’m not at work, I like to: I love flowers and most of my gardening is done in pots to make it easy on yard work. In the summer, I’ll grow tomatoes outside. I love to nurture pretty things. 

An interesting/memorable day at work for me was: In 2008, I was selected to receive a Meritorious Presidential Award, which was a surprise I’ll never forget because it meant that someone was watching me and thought I was doing a good job worth recognizing. In all the years I’ve been at Duke, I figured I was just doing my job, but I guess someone saw something I didn’t see and thought I was going above what was expected of me.