Behind the Resume #57 – Ibrahima Diallo

Ibrahima Diallo new employee photoWhat is your title at EvCC, and what will you be doing in your day-to-day endeavors at the College?
Full-time temporary Physics Instructor. I will be teaching Engineering Physics classes.

Tell us a little about your professional background.
I obtained my PhD at Virginia Commonwealth University where I did some research in optical properties of defects in GaN.

What was your most memorable job? Why?
Teaching general physics classes at the University of Mary Washington. I always had to think of different ways on how to teach complex physical concepts in the most simplistic yet interesting manner.

What does a typical day look like for you?
Food, prayers, wife time, workout and physics.

Describe yourself at 12 years old.
I would often think about how to make combos on Mortal Kombat (no Google back then), and the intricacies of Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.

What is your favorite meal/ snack in fall? Favorite fall beverage?
Steaks all day, every day.  Water all day, every day.

What would be the title of your autobiography?
I would probably never write my autobiography as my personal life is “personal.”

What is the first concert you attended?
I can’t remember.

What is a defining moment in your life?
Realizing that adulthood is a SERIOUS work in progress that will take an ENTIRE lifetime.

What are you reading right now/ what was the last book you read? Are you participating in any reading challenges?
Physics books. Nope.

What one food do you wish had zero calories?
None. There is nothing wrong with being a little fat.

Where is your hometown? Were you born and raised in the same place?
Richmond, VA. I was born in Kamsar/Boke, a small town in Guinea (West Africa).

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Being an AWESOME physics professor.

What do you like to do on your days off?
With the wife: walking around parks and lakes and talking about cool stuff.
Without the wife: watching TV, reading Quran and eating like a monster until passing out in the couch.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?
Consistency in one’s work represents a major step towards utter success.

 

Behind the Resume #56 – Kari Hiser

Kari Hiser new employee photoWhat is your title at EvCC, and what will you be doing in your day-to-day endeavors at the College?
I’m the Senior Graphic Designer for College Advancement which means I’ll be designing a lot of the print and digital content you’ll see at EvCC.

 

Tell us a little about your professional background.

Photo booth picture with Kari and colleagues
Most great design comes from collaboration. I’m lucky that I have a strong community of design friends in my life.

Prior to EvCC I worked as a visual and interactive designer for a digital ad agency called Mixpo. Before then I was a graphic designer for the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle. I’ve also worked as a freelance illustrator and branding designer for five years.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

Kari kneeling with dog on a hike
Summer hike to Sourdough Gap with my pup.

My most memorable job would have to be MOHAI. The variety of projects and everyone at the museum were so dedicated to their work, which made it an exciting place to be.

 

What does a typical day look like for you?
Busy but fun.

Describe yourself at 12 years old.
I was really into nature and animals, especially sketching them. I would spend hours illustrating.

What is your favorite meal/ snack in fall? Favorite fall beverage?
Homemade granola and lattes.

What is a defining moment in your life?

Kari sitting on a rock in front of a valley
Enjoying the scenery at the top of Dishman Hills, Spokane.

Going back to school so I could have a career I truly enjoy.

What are you reading right now/ what was the last book you read? Are you participating in any reading challenges?
My Ex-Life / Quiet: The Power of Introverts

What one food do you wish had zero calories?
Pumpkin pie

Group picture backpacking
4-day hike through Paria Canyon with my adventurous friends.

Where is your hometown? Were you born and raised in the same place?
Grew up in Federal Way, but I lived in Seattle for 17 years.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Enjoying life and traveling whenever I can.

 

What do you like to do on your days off?

Kari with her husband in front of a waterfall
Husband and I celebrating 10 yrs with a road trip to Mt. Hood.

Hiking in the woods with my dog, friends, and husband in tow.

 

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?
You are entirely up to you.

Behind the Resume #55 – Daniela Sierra

Daniela Sierra new employee photoWhat is your title at EvCC, and what will you be doing in your day-to-day endeavors at the College?
I am the new “Bilingual Career and Completion Coach” responsible for the outreach and recruitment of EvCC’s Mechatronics program. I will be a resource to the students from start to finish, ensuring successful student completion to connecting them with jobs and internships.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

Teaching a "hand-washing" lesson at the health post in Peru
Teaching a “hand-washing” lesson at the health post in Peru


I graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a degree in Communications, minor in Psychology. After graduation, I lived in Peru for over 2 years serving as a Health Educator for the U.S. Peace Corps. I managed two community-based health projects in a rural community in the department of Lambayeque (located on the coast of Peru). This experience contributed to some of the most challenging/rewarding/humbling and unforgettable experiences of my personal and professional development. Once returning from Peru, I worked for the Department of Homeland Security at the Los Angeles Asylum Office. Now, I find myself in the beautiful Pacific Northwest at EvCC.

Enjoying a break in the clouds after a storm in the Andes Mountains of Peru.
Enjoying a break in the clouds after a storm in the Andes Mountains of Peru.

What was your most memorable job? Why?
My service in the Peace Corps. This experience taught me that happiness is found in the simplest forms.

What does a typical day look like for you?
Wake up, have a fresh cup of coffee, and be grateful for a day filled with new opportunities.

What is your favorite meal/ snack in fall? Favorite fall beverage?
Peanut butter cups and chamomile chai black tea.

What would be the title of your autobiography?
Just go with it.

Daniela with children and mothers in Peru
Teaching mothers in the community how to practice “early stimulation play” for their children under 5 yrs. old.

What are you reading right now/ what was the last book you read? Are you participating in any reading challenges?
I am currently reading “Educated,” by Tara Westover.

Where is your hometown? Were you born and raised in the same place?
I am a Southern California native, born and raised.

Daniela with her husband at Shoshone Falls
Husband and I at Shoshone Falls, Idaho.

What do you like to do on your days off?
In my free time, I enjoy: exploring new hiking trails with my husband, practicing yoga, exploring books of different genres, and scheming towards the next adventure.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?
“Tough situations never last, but tough people do.”

Daniela on a hike
On a summer hike here in Washington.
Daniela running in the Encinitas Half Marathon
Running the Encinitas Half marathon. I try to do at least one half marathon a year.
Daniela celebrating in Columbia
Taking in the beauty AND COFFEE of Cartegena, Colombia on a summer vacation after completing 27 months in the Peace Corps.
Presenting the first recognized student leaders association "Steps Forward" in the community of Morrope.
Presenting the first recognized student leaders association “Steps Forward” in the community of Morrope.
Daniela doing yoga with a local high school class in Peru
Incorporating yoga classes for P.E. at the local high school in a Peru in the community of Morrope, Lambayeque.

 

Behind the Resume #52 – Herman Calzadillas

Herman Calzadillas new employee photoWhat is your title at EvCC, and what will you be doing in your day-to-day endeavors at the College?
My title is: Employment Solutions Manager. Day to day endeavors: helping to bridge College Workforce Training to the community by raising overall awareness of EvCC programs amongst employers, students, and other community learners, in addition to helping our EvCC students connect with meaningful employment and connections in the workforce.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

Family at the beach
My family at the beach

I’ve spent 20+ years in higher educational leadership and nonprofit management. Twelve of these years were at Lake Washington Institute of Technology engaged in higher education promotion and outreach, both for domestic and international. My most recent employment spanned 8 years at the Foundation for Private Enterprise Education managing all facets of donor relations, programming, volunteer management, and outreach.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

Herman with high school youth in Italy
I spent two weeks in Italy delivering a business program for high school youth.

My most memorable job was working at Lynnel Farms situated just outside of the Tri-Cities. The farm had all sorts of animals but their prized possessions were the quarter horses. My job was to tend to these horses from cleaning out their stalls, feeding and grooming, to warming them up by riding them! It was a great way to grow up, and instilled in me the “farmers” work ethic.

What does a typical day look like for you?
Well, I’m on day three as I write this, but my days have been consumed by meeting with various team members not only here at CCEC and AMTEC but across the EvCC campus. My calendar is slowly populating with connections important to the onboarding process. I’ve met some great people who are passionate about their work here at EvCC, which has been great.

Herman and family on a hike at Wallace Falls
My family at recent hike to Wallace Falls. We all survived!

Describe yourself at 12 years old.
Hmm, at 12 – junior high – I was involved in all sports. I played football, basketball, baseball and wrestled. I rode my bike everywhere to visit friends and enjoyed school immensely.

What is your favorite meal/ snack in summer? Favorite summer beverage?
I’m a breakfast guy! Love to go big during this meal, especially weekends. Summer beverage is a blended breve mocha.

What would be the title of your autobiography?
El Tiempo De Mi Vida: La Fiesta Sigue

What is the first concert you attended?
I think it was a Janet Jackson concert at the Tacoma Dome.

Children with grandfather
My kids and their grandfather

What is your vacation spot in the summer months?
We go to the beach – Ocean Shores and Long Beach are frequent stops.

What are you reading right now/ what was the last book you read? Are you participating in any reading challenges?
My last favorite book that I read was, “God’s Middle Finger: Into the Lawless Heart of the Sierra Madre” by Richard Grant. It’s set in an area where I was born and my parents grew up.

What one food do you wish had zero calories?
Tacos!

Children with grandparents
Kids really enjoy time with their grandparents!

Where is your hometown? Were you born and raised in the same place?
I was born in Chihuahua Mexico, but raised in Pasco, WA.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Working in the education industry continuing to make an impact on the community!

What do you like to do on your days off?
I like hanging out with my family and typically working on the house and yard. I also try to catch up on some favorite TV shows.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?
“To me there are three things everyone should do every day. Number one is laugh. Number two is think – spend some time in thought. Number three, you should have your emotions move you to tears. If you laugh, think, and cry, that’s a heck of a day!” Jim Valvano

Family posing in the snow
My family and I in the snow

Behind the Resume #51 – Emma Ka’aha’aina

Emma Ka'aha'aina new employee photoWhat is your title at EvCC, and what will you be doing in your day-to-day endeavors at the College?
I am the new Program Manager within the Diversity and Equity Center. My position will expand the center’s initiatives to Monte Cristo where our new, student-advocated-for, First Peoples Gathering Space will be housed. My day-to-day endeavors will primarily focus on supporting our Native American and Pacific Islander students here at Everett by providing them with a space to be in culture with each other. Additionally, I will be working with on-campus and off-campus partners to support our local native communities and their student access and success initiatives.

Tell us a little about your professional background.
While earning my Masters Degree in Education with a concentration in College Student Affairs from Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, I served as a Hall Director for first year engineering students. Additionally, I advised the Native American Culture Association and worked as a First Year Retention Advisor.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

Emma and family at graduation
My recent graduate school graduation ceremony. Family is everything to me – they are the reason why I am so successful and why I’ve been able to accomplish so much. Everything I do is because of them and for them.

My most memorable job was during the summer between my first and second year of graduate school. I was an intern at Kapi’olani Community College on Oahu, Hawai’i, and worked in the Kapo’oloku Native Hawaiian Student Success Program. Throughout my time there, I was able to solidify my passion for working with Native/Indigenous students within a community college setting. After five years away from home and the Hawaiian culture, the internship allowed me to reground myself and my passion.

What does a typical day look like for you?
Once our space is completed, a typical day would be me within the space, creating a welcoming environment for any student who walks through the door and being a resource for them; which could look like anything from connecting them with other offices and walking them over to make the initial introduction, or giving them information on resources within the Everett and Snohomish community.

Emma with her brother and sister
These two are my best friends and siblings, Luke and Victoria. Luke is a cancer survivor and Bone Marrow Transplant recipient. Victoria will start her second year at Creighton University in Omaha, NE this fall.

Describe yourself at 12 years old.
Seventh grade… I played the clarinet, swam, played water polo and had the worst attitude, ha! Sooooo sassy. My teenage years came with a lot of growing pains. Sorry Mom and Dad!

What is your favorite meal/ snack in spring? Favorite spring beverage?
I am hooked on Lavender Ice Cream at the moment- so yummy! I love anything guava, passion fruit or pineapple. Oh, bubble tea is very, very good!

What would be the title of your autobiography?
“Nagawa Natin; Ua Hana Makou: We Made It, We Did It, Together”

What is the first concert you attended?
Christina Aguilera!

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
I Crossfit; it’s really a great combination of gymnastics, weightlifting, and cardio.

What are you reading right now/ what was the last book you read? Are you participating in any reading challenges?
I am not reading anything at the moment- grad school kind of took the fun out of reading, ha! But I am open to any suggestions for my next book.

What one food do you wish had zero calories?

Emma with grandparents
Here I am with my Tutu David and Tutu Bunnie. “Tutu” is grandparent in Hawaiian.

Peanut Butter!

Where is your hometown? Were you born and raised in the same place?
I was born and raised on the island of ‘Oahu in Hawai’i.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I hope to still be serving our Native and Indigenous students within a student success program.

What do you like to do on your days off?
I like go and check out a new food spot, spend time with my cat (and friends..), and spend as much time in the sun as possible.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?
I am only in the position that I am in because of the people in my life who have loved and supported my dreams, talents, aspirations, and skills. My favorite quote used to be “to whom much is given, much is expected” but it made it seem like my support system was only giving me support in order to gain something- which I believe is not the case, so I’ve amended it. “To whom much is given, much is expected-of oneself.” Because I am so thankful, I will be sure to take everything I have been given and use it to make everyone proud and to create real change, for good.

Emma with her maternal grandparents
Here I am with my Tata and Mama- they are my maternal grandparents.