It’s Common Hour at SUNY Old Westbury, and the lunch rush has just begun. The buzz of blenders fills the Student Union while mingling with the smell of sizzling chicken.
Amid the noise and motion, Helen Karavis, works with calm precision — even when she is healing from a leg injury.
Whether they are grabbing food from the Market, Halal Shack or Freshens, students expect to encounter Karavis’s familiar warmth, though seeing her roll between stations often catches newcomers by surprise.
This past summer, she broke her leg in three places on a trip to her home country of Greece— but even a major injury couldn’t keep her away for long. Returning to campus on a scooter, she continues to work while embracing the same positivity and patience that defines her.
“It’s a little hard to move around but I’ll manage,” she said. “You don’t realize how much you need your legs until you can’t use them.”
Karavis immigrated to the United States from Greece when she was 17 years old. Since then, she has spent most of her time working in the food service industry.
For more than four years, Karavis has poured her energy into the service at the Student Union — not just as a supervisor but as somebody who is able to make a difference with every meal.
“Food is my second nature,” Karavis said, laughing. “If the students are happy with the food, then I will be happy. It’s all that matters to me.”
For Karavis, her work is not just about clocking in, but it reflects who she is.
She describes her job as “challenging, but kind of exciting.”
“Every day is different,” she said. “Even if it sounds the same, it’s always changing — with the crew, students, and the people you meet. You never get bored.”
She has become a comforting and recognizable presence to both students and staff, her soft voice and laughter a part of lunchtime as much as the smell of the food.
“I get to see my crew and the students; they’re like my second family — that’s my favorite part of the job,” she said with a smile.
Her story is one about resilience and care, a reminder that for many, work isn’t just a job, but a reflection of their spirit.
“Some students view me as if I am their mother, they tell me their stories and some even invite me to come to their graduation ceremonies,” she said. “Every student has their own unique story — I like that connection.”
