UM feeds our brains, but who feeds our stomachs? In between lectures, study
sessions and late nights, Mahoney Pearson Dining Hall is a classic stop for freshmen
to refuel. What keeps mealtimes moving, however, is the people behind the counter — and one smiling face stands out amidst the rest.
At the mast of the Mahoney-Pearson hostess booth, you’ll find Marwa Afifi. Donning red lipstick and a contagious smile, she could easily be described as a ray of sunshine. Whether she’s inquiring about your day, asking you to swipe your CaneCard or handing you a snack, she always makes sure to leave a compliment and a smile.
My friends and I from Mahoney-Pearson have been talking to Afifi since our first weeks on campus. Since then, we’ve grown from small talk to longer conversations about our lives, the kind that become a meaningful part of your daily routine without you realizing it. But we aren’t the only ones who have been impacted by Afifi’s courteousness.
When asked who she talks to during the day, her answer is simple: “Everyone.” While others may stand silently behind the booth, Afifi insists on talking to every student and worker who walks past.
This is partly due to her prior training. Before UM Dining, Afifi worked in hospitality positions at the Sonesta and Fontainebleau Hotels. The dining hall marks her first full-time job in the U.S.
“I try to say, ‘Hi, how are you today,’ to everybody,” Afifi said. “I can’t just let someone come in and not talk; that’s not polite.”
When I asked Afifi what her favorite part of the job is, she said, “The students.” But why does she care so much about them?
Afifi’s care toward the students isn’t from habit alone. It comes from a history of learning that small moments — especially when it comes to children — matter.
Afifi’s son — now 25 — was sent to boarding school in the eighth grade, so she knows how hard it can be living away from home. She tries to treat her son the way she wanted him to be treated when he was away from her.
“Usually I’m a very serious person,” Afifi said. “But with students, I change myself into a tender mom person. I wasn’t there with my son when he was away, and I always hoped someone treated him the way I treat these students.”
Afifi’s student-first approach doesn’t only stem from empathy, but an understanding of children’s brains. She speaks thoughtfully about the way students respond to tone, body language and attention, especially during such a transitional stage of life.
“I love kids so much because I understand how [at] every stage of the kid, they need to be treated right,” said Afifi. “ Because if you don’t get it right you could scar those kids forever.”
Afifi’s care for students starts long before she gets to the hostess booth. Her daily commute is a 6-hour long process, back and forth everyday. She walks 15 minutes to the bus station then rides the bus for anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. Finally, she takes the train and walks from the University Station to the Mahoney-Pearson Dining Hall.
The best trips are not defined by where you go, but by who survives the journey with you
On breaks from the long lines of hungry students, Marwa likes to gossip with her coworker, Indeera, and eat a hearty meal. Her favorite dish at the dining hall is in the realm of Mexican cuisine.
“The taco with the ground beef and the toppings, that’s the best ever!” Afifi said.
Whether she’s at the hostess stand or eating at a table, Afifi remains a constant, cheerful presence at Mahoney-Pearson Dining Hall. My friends and I have relics of our favorite conversations with her — heart keychains that she handed to us. The green one with orange polka dots sits in my freshman dorm in Mahoney, overlooking a grand view of the one and only Mahoney-Pearson Dining Hall.
words_maxine zahler. photo_ethan dosa & vecteezy.com. design_ben gerkin.
This article was published in Distraction’s Spring 2026 print issue.
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