Jan Stitt Improves the Lives of International Student Workers at Butler Community College

Written by: Caleb Sanderson

The international student worker population at Butler Community College benefits from a hidden gem. Jan Stitt, Director of Food Services for Great Western Dining, is more than a supervisor to the dining center student workers, as she often goes above and beyond for them. 

Countless student workers under Stitt’s supervision have felt the generosities she offers without bias. Several of her student workers, including Abdelhakim (Hakim) Boukhiar, Emmanuela (Emma) Forbacha and Chanaka Samaranayaka (Sam), hold Stitt in high regard, thankful for her kindness. 

Hakim, a student from Algeria, enlisted Stitt’s help to purchase a vehicle on the west side of Wichita. Jumping at the chance to help him out, she took him to Wichita and to a Walmart to withdraw the funds. Hakim retold the story through a broad smile and a few chuckles of the day and how he swiped bananas at the checkout to use the “cash back” function. 

When introducing a few student workers under her supervision, Stitt made Emma, a student from Cameroon, Africa, light up when she mentioned Emma’s love for baking and decorating cakes. Emma beamed and laughed when remembering the messes she easily made. It’s clear that Emma and Stitt have spent time talking about Emma’s life prior to her coming to the states for college. 

Sam, Butler’s Deputy Chief of Police, was a Sri Lankan international student worker in 2009. He also worked under Stitt’s supervision in the cafeteria. Now, when he’s doing his daily campus rounds, Sam likes to visit Stitt to chat and continue a friendly bond that has lasted the years.  

“She's the nicest and treats you like family. She’s more than a boss. She understands they’re not regular workers, they’re here to accomplish something else and she has that level of understanding. She helped so many international students,” Sam expressed. 

Since 2007, Jan Stitt has directly impacted the lives of international student workers in the Andover and El Dorado dining centers. Stitt, who worked her way up from a dishwasher position to the Director of Food Service for Great Western Dining, consistently goes out of her way to aid and support these student workers who often do not have access to resources, money and sometimes even sufficient food. 

Stitt tries her best to fill in the gaps of these struggles when she can, depending on the situation the student is in. In the past, she even arranged a doctor’s visit for a student, and conversed with the parents back home regarding treatment of a problematic tooth.  

Although the international student population faces challenges such as culture shock, transportation difficulties, language barriers and a strict set of guidelines for them to follow, the international student workers under Stitt’s supervision are happy, motivated and thriving in their academic and athletic pursuits. 

“I just think it’s so important to learn about them,” she insisted. “I want to get to know them as a person and help them out, and I want them to have a good experience.” Stitt mentioned the general negative stereotypes of foreign people and is adamant that she takes the time to know her student workers as people, learners and hard workers. 

On Sunday mornings after Butler Grizzlies athletic events, Stitt wakes up to videos her student workers sent her of them running and attending the meets. These morning gifts make Stitt’s heart swell with happiness, knowing these students thought of her outside of the dining center and wanted to share more of their lives with her. 

Stitt’s first experience with international student workers began at her position prior to Great Western Dining, giving her nearly 50 years to grow her compassion for this student population. “It doesn’t matter where they come from, I just want to help them and take care of them,” Stitt asserted. She often speaks to the students’ families, getting to know them over the phone and easing the transition for both student and family as the student workers make their way to success at Butler and beyond. 

“Talking to their parents makes me feel really good, because they’re so happy I’m here to take care of them,” Stitt said with gleaming eyes. “It's very rewarding, because they know their sons and daughters have someone here – I try to watch over them the best I can.” 

Stitt loves hearing about the cultures her student workers bring with them, looking at it as a way to experience that region just by interacting with the student worker. She saves notes of appreciation and life updates from current and past students in her office. Knowing those keepsakes are present with her reminds Stitt of why she strives to be an advocate for these student workers and more than just a supervisor. 

“They have fun,” Stitt said. “There’s work to be done, but we have fun.” 

A few of the home countries these student workers represent include various parts of the African continent, Brazil, Jamaica, China and more. Stitt no doubt could hold a meaningful conversation about these countries using the deep engagements she’s had with her international student workers. 

The dining centers hire international and non-international student workers, and no matter where a student is from, they will no doubt feel seen and supported by Stitt and her welcoming, charismatic personality that knows no national border.