Meet Janice: CAS’s Café worker

Janice O’Halloran working at the CAS Café Kiosk.

By Bhriana Smith

If you have attended class in the Center for Academic Success (CAS) building, you are aware of the miniature café kiosk located on the third floor.

In the café lies a sweet and charming barista who greets everyone with open arms. From her unforgettable soft voice, to her unbelievably warm smile, she is the heart that keeps the English and Communication majors and professors going, quite literally, everyday.

Her name is Janice O’Halloran, and she knows just about everyone’s name.

O’Halloran has been making drinks and warming hearts on Kean’s campus for quite a while.

“I’ve been working for Gourmet Dining for two and a half years,” said O’Halloran. “I started off in the Starbucks. I was there for a year and a half, then I came up here last year.”

Her time in the CAS building has been one that she has genuinely enjoyed.

“I love this atmosphere, the people, the hours,” replied O’Halloran, when asked about her favorite aspects of working at the mini café.

The general audience that O’ Halloran interacts with are professors in the English and Communication departments, because of the café’s location.

“It’s so hard to name all the professors because I know most by first name,” she joked. “Everyone, Dr. Dan O Day, Dr. Jim Connors, all of the professors that are in this building are just so great.”

When it comes to Starbucks drinks, O’Halloran’s favorite drink to make and consume is the caramel Macchiato. Like many “religious” coffee and tea drinkers, she is particular in the process of making drinks.

“When I order a caramel Macchiato, I specify exactly how I want it,” said O’Halloran. “It just has to be made a particular way. I never want to have to send it back.”

While she loves to drink her favorite coffee, she is also a devoted tea drinker.

“Every morning I drink an Irish breakfast tea from Ireland,” she stated. “I have family over there so they send it to me, or bring me some when they come to visit.”

If you’re not exactly sure which Starbucks drink to try, go visit Miss O’Halloran anyway. She just may be able to throw something together that you’ll love.

“Somebody tells me what kind of flavors they like and I look around and then I’m like ‘I can put that together and make it into a nice drink,’” said O’Halloran.

If you’re the adventurous type, you can try an O’Halloran Classic, a flavored drink that she created herself.

“When I worked at Barnes and Noble years ago, I came up with a Cake Batter Frappuccino,” she said. “It’s a vanilla bean frap with vanilla syrup and caramel sauce drizzled on top. I’ve made chocolate gingerbread Frappuccino’s too.”

For the people that have yet to visit this tiny café, it’s a great place to stop by, even if you’re not big on caffeinated beverages.

“We have smoothies up here that are absolutely delicious, and the iced teas are just fabulous, just come and try something!” she said.

As the center of the CAS community, you can share a smile and exchange a few words with Miss Janice O’Halloran the next time you pass the café.

---