Faculty & Staff Spotlight: Sylvia Littleton, UNT System

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Faculty & Staff Spotlight: Sylvia Littleton, UNT System

Sylvia Littleton joined UNT World in 2014 serving as the assistant for Royal Furgeson, the inaugural dean of the UNT Dallas College of Law. Helping to launch the law school was so special that she still counts the first graduation as her proudest work moment. Now she's indispensable as a master of organization and coordination for UNT System HR head Sheraine Gilliam. A proud wife and mother, Sylvia's retired from the Dallas Police Department as a civilian and worked in several departments at DFW Airport. During the pandemic, she took up gardening with mixed results (tomatoes, good; bugs, bad). For us, the big question is which came first: Her love for Anita Baker or her time working at Motown? Click the button below and get to know Sylvia Littleton.

Q&A

What is your favorite aspect about your job?
 It’s different every day.

What inspired you to pursue your field of expertise?
 I love coordination, organization and planning. I enjoy helping people and am interested in employee relations and how the law impacts us.

What employee benefit or activity would you like to see added to UNT World? 
 Paid maternity/paternity leave.

What is your proudest work moment?
Seeing that first class graduate at the law school.

What is your proudest non-work moment?
Being a mom. We had four sons, we have three now (we have twins by marriage). All are Skyline Career Center alums. We also have one granddaughter, she's 13 years old and she is so beautiful and smart. They are all self-sufficient and happy which makes me happy! 

Is there a hobby, activity or something else you took up during the pandemic that you might not normally have done? 
I planted a vegetable garden, but I did not like the worms, bugs, heat etc. I enjoyed the time spent outdoors and singing to my plants. I grew organic Roma tomatoes, green beans and bell peppers. The only thing I ate was the tomatoes; everything else did not look right for some reason.

What is a fact about you that may surprise your work colleagues?
I used to work at Motown. I lived in Los Angeles around 1981-82, worked at Motown through a temp agency in California on Sunset Blvd. I was a secretary working for London Miller. I did not meet anyone famous, but received many albums and I hated for the assignment to end.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE...
Movie?: Lackawanna Blues. It deals with love, family, relationships and friendships, and the upbringing of Ruben Santiago-Hudson.
Song?: "Been So Long" by Anita Baker. My sisters and I know every word! I love her message!
Charitable cause?: CitySquare. They assist our community with housing, food and medical supplies.