When he’s not enjoying a weekend in nature or gardening at home, Lincoln’s new Campus Safety Associate (CSA), Shalako Anecito, can be found in the commons, outside on the track and in his office in room 234.
Anecito has enjoyed the shift from his previous job, where he was a manager for Amazon for three years. He says he has created strong relationships with his new coworkers at Lincoln.
“We all are in sync and work really well with each other,” said Anecito. “We can look at each other and not have to tell each other what we need, we just get it done.”
Anecito was born in Santa Cruz, California and raised in Tallassee, Alabama. He moved to Portland five years ago after the COVID-19 pandemic and rejoined his brother, who lives in California, on the West Coast.
Anecito has embraced his spiritual journey, finding Lincoln to be a perfect fit for him.
“[Being a security guard] is what God led me to do. My mom used to work for a school, and I’m really big on contributing to your community, and everything you do impacts the people around you,” said Anecito. “I believe that life led me here to help me impact our community and help develop smart, successful grown adults.”
Growing up, Anecito wanted to be an actor and then a Methodist pastor.
“I thought I was going to be a pastor. I was working on becoming a Methodist pastor and was learning how to translate the Bible from Hebrew and Greek to English,” said Anecito.
Outside of being a CSA, Shalako gardens and cares for his community outside of Lincoln and that plays a big role in his life.
“My goal is to buy a house so I can garden,” said Anecito. “I want to be one of those people who use their whole property to grow different plants and feed myself and also have enough to go and sell them at a farmers market.”
Anecito is inspired by one of his idols, comedian Robin Williams.
“Williams was one of my idols because no matter how many things he was going through he still 100% tried to shine his light on everybody else and make them happy,” said Anecito. “To me, that’s how you should be in life. Try your best to empathize with people and bring a smile to their face so that they can enjoy life because you never know what someone is going through.”