The USC gatekeeper

It's a sunny afternoon at Gate 5, the entrance to USC on Jefferson and McClintock Street. This is where Judy Witrago works as a Gate Ambassador – though her unofficial duties include tour guide, gatekeeper, and campus compass. Working the gate isn't Witrago's only job, however. She's focused on the future.

"I don’t go here but I plan to go here, hopefully with the tuition assistance," said Witrago. "I'm a student at Cerritos Community College, and I'm hoping to transfer soon."

Witrago is a sociology major at Cerritos, and wants to continue her studies of social work at USC – or maybe even someplace else.

"They did tell us about the tuition assistance program, and not only that but they have a tuition exchange program," said Witrago. "They have a number of schools they affiliate with, and you can go there, and it would be the same as going to USC, for free."

Four months in, being a USC gatekeeper is keeping her plenty busy. Most people coming on campus need to know the closest parking structure to their on campus destination – Witrago had to memorize all that information quickly.

"You know what helps?" said Witrago. "The fact that the back of every single map tells you the name of every single building and its abbreviation. To tell you the truth though I'm still not familiar, I still need the map at all times."

Though you wouldn't know it from listening to her. With almost 120 buildings on campus, it's understandable that in four months on the job, she hasn't yet mastered all 120. More like 119.

"A particular department I get asked for is the architecture department," said Witrago. "I have no idea where that is."

But everything else about the job seems to be clicking.

"It's just habits, I don't want to say its remembering, it's just a habit," said Witrago. "If I'm handing something back, it's a habit to say 'put it on your dashboard'. Just because that's what I usually do.”

Her lines may be a little repetitive, but her cheery mood never gets old. And while Witrago's smile never waivers, not all encounters are pleasant. And with commencement fast approaching, its likely Witrago will be seeing a lot more of those encounters.

"If they're in a rush, they tend to be a little not nice. That's the better word, just because they have to get where they need to go," said Witrago. "But at the same time in my head I'm thinking, 'It's not my fault that you’re late!' I’m trying my best to get you there, but I guess the impatience gets the best of them."

Witrago plans on taking time this summer to begin the application process to USC. She's extremely hopeful to get accepted, though she's open to the idea of going to nearby schools like Loyola and Pepperdine, through the exchange program USC offers.