Will Acrond, 27, has worked at the Student Center for a year and a half and is quickly becoming a crowd favorite.
Cara Tupps, sophomore in microbiology, said Acrond's customer service mentality is hilarious.
"He's always doing something while he was working besides making the drinks," Tupps said. "Always talking to the customers, always moving things down the line. It's just fun to watch."
Acrond said this type of job is perfect for him because it is all about doing what he loves--talking to people.
"I love any opportunity I get to work and interact with people," Acrond said.
Before becoming manager of the Student Center Starbucks, Acrond graduated from Tuskegee University with degrees in finance and marketing. He played football at Tuskegee all four years of his college career.
"I try to inspire moments in people's lives," Acrond said.
Tupps experienced one of these moments last semester.
"It was before 8 a.m., and I had just rolled out of bed," Tupps said. "I was staring off into space while I was waiting for my coffee, and Will leaned into my line of vision and asked me if I was OK."
Tupps said this simple courtesy changed her entire mentality for the day.
"The fact that he actually made eye contact with me and asked me how I was doing was really cool," Tupps said. "It showed me he might actually care about me beyond just my drink order."
Kim Lackey, Starbucks assistant manager, said there's never a dull moment when Acrond is working.
"Sometimes he likes to change his voice up and talk in a Jamaican voice," Lackey said. "He says he does it when he's aggravated, but I think it's just to add some fun to the mix."
Lackey said Acrond's style of customer service is sometimes "over-the-top."
"He is very, very, very friendly," Lackey said.
Acrond said he strives to treat people like he would like to be treated while working.
"I am the sole creator of my destiny," Acrond said. "I know that today will be a good day if I want it to be a good day."
Acrond, originally from Houston, said he knows how to change his attitude if he isn't feeling his best.
"The key to life is being able to adapt to challenges," Acrond said. "Like today, I had a few staffing problems. Nothing was going to improve if I complained and made a big deal about it. I just had to get myself in there and work things out without feeling sorry for myself."
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