#SoCaltech: Vincent Lopez

“My mom and I had a diner in Alhambra for years before I came here. It was a little dive bar; we had a bar, grill, and a kitchen. When my mom retired, I came over to Caltech because my wife worked here. First, I was a server with Dining Services, then a cook, then I worked in the old Caltech Convenience Store. I came over here when they opened the new Red Door in 2018. I’ve been at Caltech for 18 years, and my wife’s been here for 20. She’s now the operations director for Student Wellness Services.

“One thing I really enjoy about my job is just talking to different people. I know Caltech can be stressful sometimes, so I always tell myself in the morning, ‘Make someone laugh, make somebody smile.’ That’s what I always try to do, whether I’m up front at the register or in the back behind the counter making drinks. I’m just being silly, joking around, and making the experience a good time.

“Another one of the best things about Caltech is the diversity. When the World Cup soccer matches are happening, you can go into the dining hall any day and see people from that country cheering on their team. There’s such a wide variety of people from all over the world here, so you get introduced to so many different cultures. I really enjoy that.”

Vincent Lopez is a barista and cashier at the Red Door Marketplace. Every weekday morning, he greets community members with a charismatic smile and his characteristic classic rock radio station playing in the background.

#SoCaltech is an occasional series celebrating the diverse individuals who give Caltech its spirit of excellence, ambition, and ingenuity. Know someone we should profile? Send nominations to magazine@caltech.edu.