10/07/2026
āI had a tumor on my spine when I was a baby. Iām healthy now, but Iāll always walk with a limp. As a kid, Iād get asked, āWhy do you walk like that?ā Sometimes I was bullied, but Iāve got tough skin, so it didnāt really affect me. I feel blessed overall, and itās made me look for the good in people, and to be more open to people.
Iām also pretty extroverted. Thatās useful in my job as a campus security officer. My demeanor is to be friendly. I always talk to the students who come into the gym, just saying hello. Being courteous: thatās the point of the CSO. I can call police officers to help me out if I need them, but my job is to be a friendly face, to observe and report, to keep people safe. And because of where I work, I also try to give people motivation when they come through the door. I mean, good for themātheyāre going to the gym!
We get training all the time: things like CPR and communications and mental health. I take mental health very seriously. With my disability, thereās been times where Iāve struggled with depression. I feel like just talking with someone can help. Iāve seen it with some students. Like during finals, it can get stressful. Thereās been times when I can tell one of our regulars is feeling down, and I can ask, āIs there anything wrong? Can I help?ā I think it goes a long way.
I love working at the gym. I feel very appreciated there. A student once gave me a giant bag of cookies, Iāve gotten flowersā¦ I feel awkward receiving stuff; I feel like I donāt deserve it. Iām just doing my job, but itās so nice to get those things. The womenās lacrosse team gave me a card, telling me they appreciate my being myself and saying, āWelcome to Tufts!ā every day when they arrive. There was an awards ceremony recently, and some coaches told me students gave me a shout-out during a tribute video. I had no idea they were doing that, but itās really satisfying to feel like Iām making an impact on others.
I really enjoy this job because that Iām just a people person trying to help any way I can. When Iām part of something, I try to put my best foot forward.ā
āRyan Buchino, campus security officer (CSO)
is a series of personal stories shared by members of the Tufts community. [šø: Alonso Nichols/Tufts University]
![We š Parents and Family Weekend![šø: Paul Rutherford for Tufts University]](https://img5.glunis.com/718/824/1549692387188243.jpg)
