By Destany Lewis

Sharica Hayes was appointed business manager for Florida State University’s Department of English in November of 2022, a move she describes the move as a welcomed change, due to her belief that “a change of pace is always good.”

Hayes describes feeling at home early in the interview process and knowing the department was the place for her.

“During my interview, the faculty and staff seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say,” Hayes says. “I could tell early on that the English department was a special place.”

Hayes has a lifelong connection to FSU. She was born and raised in Tallahassee and is a second-generation Seminole graduate preceding her impressive career working for multiple campus departments, including FSU’s College of Medicine for 17 years.

“It’s inspiring to have graduated from the same university as my mother,” she says. “I’ve kept the tradition going, and we both earned bachelor's and master’s degrees from FSU.”

Hayes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and her Master of Science in library and information studies.

“Tallahassee is a special place and the quality of life here is wonderful,” Hayes adds. “Growing up in Tallahassee, FSU Seminoles were all you heard about. I’m proud to have been employed with this university for an extended period of time.”

As an avid traveler, Hayes also appreciates getting away from her hometown of Tallahassee. She cites her favorite trip thus far is a visit to New York City.

“There’s no other city in the US with the same energy, adventure, entertainment, buildings, etc. as New York City,” she says.

It’s inspiring to have graduated from the same university as my mother. I’ve kept the tradition going, and we both earned bachelor's and master’s degrees from FSU.

— Sharica Hayes

“On my last trip there I enjoyed sightseeing, dining at some great restaurants, and viewing the skyscrapers. I also got the opportunity to spot celebrities around Manhattan.”

Her exploration is not only limited to out-of-state adventures, however. She enjoys spots in and near the Tallahassee area such as Cascades Park, the FAMU Black Archives, and Thomasville, Georgia, which is only a 45-minute drive north of town.

When Hayes does find herself at home, she likes to tend to her plants and try new cooking recipes. She recently joined the Capital City Garden Club to “perfect being a plant mom,” and is a self-proclaimed “air fryer fanatic.” Her recipes are not limited to the air fryer, however.

“I’ve been preparing quite a bit of seafood boils lately,” she says. “My favorite recipe to cook are pound cakes.”

Hayes also prides herself on having an aesthetically pleasing kitchen to cook in, full of appliances and her own special touch, sunflowers in the kitchen.

When she finds herself dining outside her home, she likes restaurants such as Horizon Bar and Grille. Her love of cooking and experiencing different foods has given her future aspirations to write a cookbook.

“I’d like to write a cookbook to hopefully inspire and get people excited about cooking,” Hayes says. “I’ve wanted to write a cookbook for years, but seeing so many authors in one place, the English Department, has kind of rekindled that aspiration.”

Destany Lewis is a sophomore who is majoring in English-Editing, Writing, and Media.

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