Karla Gibbs
Karla Gibbs, Director of Retail Operations, Stony Brook University (SBU) Campus Store,
Auxiliary Services Association
Start Date: January 1, 2023
Born and raised in Ecuador, Karla Gibbs decided she would brave cold winters – reluctantly at first – to come live in New York with her family when she married an American man more than two decades ago. Far from regretting the move, Gibbs has happily settled into life on Long Island – and a flourishing career at Stony Brook University (SBU), where she says her main mission is “making all students, no matter where they come from, feel like this is a second home. That they belong and are welcome here.” She also says “Stony Brook changed my life.”
Gibbs began her SBU journey back in 2023, when she started working at the Southampton campus student cafe, following excellent experiences she had with Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. “Moving to Long Island I always saw ‘Stony Brook University,’ ‘Stony Brook Hospital’ everywhere. So it had my attention and I kept my eye out for opportunities.”
The move to West Campus happened in March 2025, when she began working at the newly renovated and expanded Stony Brook University Campus Store, which suits her personality and goals to a tee:
“The truth is that being director of retail operations for the SBU Campus Store is not really a job. I love it here and what I love most is trying to bring a feeling of warmth and hospitality to every person coming to this store. Yes, I want to sell everything here but this is not just a retail business for me. I want the students and their families to take home a beautiful memory of this place. I want them to feel something. And to know we care about and respect them. That’s my idea for this place,” she explains.
Gibbs describes herself as having an ever-positive and optimistic spirit and she strives to bring that feeling to students and their families, faculty and staff. In addition to the warm feelings she exudes and provides on-site, she enjoys shopping for the most meaningful merchandise for guests at the store.
“I love that every day is different, with different merchandise coming, different ideas and possibilities, different problems to solve. And I enjoy buying items for this place,” she says. “Because when I buy something, I’m looking for something that will help students – and even their families – feel at home.”
She holds a special place in her heart for SBU’s large international student population, saying “I want everyone to bring their best memories home.”
Being bilingual also helps her relate on a more personal level with Hispanic students and their families. “It's amazing because a lot of Spanish families come into the store. So when I say ‘hola, como esta?Bienvenidos’ – or ‘Hi, how are you? Welcome’ – in Spanish, I can connect more directly with them. They feel listened to and understood and it’s easier for them to ask me questions or even just chat. So that’s why I speak Spanish with my ‘gente’ [people].”
With all customers, Gibbs also appreciates the opportunity to share special moments – like the pride a grandmother or father or mother feels for their children going to college, maybe as the first generation to do so.
She’s also excited about the unique experiences the new store environment provides: “It’s not just about you walking in and seeing clothes everywhere. That’s not the idea. The idea is every wall has something different to explore. There’s a gift area. There’s an area for student-created items. And there are personnel ready to attend to you.”
When she’s not ‘keeping shop’ at the SBU Campus Store, Gibbs is enjoying time with her family in Central Islip – her four children ranging in age from 12-28 years old, and a three-year-old granddaughter. In homelife as in work, her goal for herself is simple:
“I like to be happy all the time. I try to enjoy every second of the simple things in life – in my home with my family, at the store with my team, everywhere I go. My children always ask me why I have so much energy. I just tell them that I love living – that's why I enjoy every moment, whether I'm cooking or cleaning, and I always sing!”
That positive energy is apparent at the SBU Campus Store, where Karla truly delivers ‘service with a smile’ … always.