Familiar Faces: Oscar Vega

A series catching up with the campus figures who made your time at Florida Tech memorable

Kevin Boodoosingh February 15, 2024

Florida Tech’s driver lead Oscar Vega, or as many know him, Oscar the Trolley Driver, has been with the university for 12 years, making a positive impact on all who cross his path. He continues to be someone students can rely on for support … and transportation. We spoke with Vega about Florida Tech, his career and what comes next.

How long have you worked at Florida Tech?

In January 2012, I began working for FIT Aviation, then I transitioned to Florida Tech in October of that same year.

What is your role, and how has it changed over the years?

My role is to transport students, faculty, staff and visitors to where they need to go. I started at Florida Tech when the trolleys first arrived on campus. During that time, I was driving the campus shuttle—which morphed into driving the trolley. I am fondly known as the trolley driver, and I now also provide tours for admissions for visiting families.

Working as driver lead, how have you seen the campus and students evolve throughout the years?

Since 2012, I have seen new additions throughout campus. For example, we have a new alumni building, I watched the Bisk College of Business open, and I saw Panther Bay being opened as additional housing. Now, coming in fall 2023, we’ll have the premed program with Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. We have been consistently growing to meet the needs of our students. Having served through four presidencies, I’ve navigated through both lean and prosperous years. Our diverse student body, representing nations worldwide, attests to our global reach. Some years, we see a predominant Kazakh or Chinese student presence, yet irrespective of the demographic, students choose Florida Tech for its unwavering dedication to providing a high-quality education.

What role does interacting with the campus community play in keeping your job fresh and exciting?

I love to provide excellent service to all my passengers. I feel as though I am a mentor and role model for our students. I understand that navigating our systems can be daunting for some students, and I find great satisfaction in helping them get settled. They can trust me to answer their questions and provide guidance. Establishing strong connections with my students is paramount. Many of them introduce their parents, who express gratitude for the care I provide. To some, I become a father figure. Witnessing their graduation moments is incredibly rewarding. It means a lot when they keep in touch or come visit after graduation.

What do you love about your job?

I love my students and they love me back. I get to meet students from all over the world. I’ve learned customs and facts about countries that I never knew existed. I love working with the student ambassadors from the admissions office, welcoming new students to Florida Tech. I am one of the first faces they meet, and I love to let them know how wonderful Florida Tech is and that they can always count on me.

What makes Florida Tech a unique/great place to work?

Where else can you go to meet people from all around the world? Here, I can make a difference and maybe change the world by helping a student. I can make a difference in the lives of my students.

What are some of your Florida Tech memories that stand out to you?

I have so many memories that it is hard to pick just a few. There is one that really stands out to me. In 2017-18, during a visit to my family in El Salvador, I had the pleasure of meeting three Florida Tech students who were vacationing in my little village. Another memory is when students taking Spanish classes would ride the trolley the day before the exams to practice for their tests with me.

What inspires you now at the university?

Florida Tech inspires me to provide the best possible service to my passengers. We all have challenges we face, but when I am with my students, I forget about them and focus on their needs.

What do you see in the future for Florida Tech?

Through the changes and transitions, as we have a new president and new leaders, I hope a positive new direction will continue to emerge for the Florida Tech community.