Behind the Resume #67 – Chris Harter

What is your title at EvCC, and what will you be doing in your day-to-day endeavors at the College?

Chris Harter - new employee photo

Associate Director of Operations at AMTEC.  Supporting staff, students and faculty in day-to-day operations of AMTEC, providing support around safety and student retention.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

Most recently, I was working for Valley Cites Behavioral Health as an employment specialist. I served individuals recovering from substance abuse and mental health issues, assisting them with finding and keeping employment.

Prior to that position, I worked at LWTECH in Kirkland for over 17 years.  While there, I advised and did outreach for the College’s WorkFirst program, I was the manager for student programs, Title III director for student retention activities, assistant director of advising and assessment center, and Director of Admissions and Outreach.

Before working at LWTECH, I worked at the Snohomish School District running an AmeriCorps program that served youth in academic support and mentoring.

Additionally, I served as a VISTA in Cleveland Ohio, and as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Yemen.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

Peace Corps volunteer; I could never see the world the same way.  It changed my path.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Pickles the cat
Pickles the cat, doing what he does

Awoken by a demanding feline, Pickles, for morning discussions concerning food.

Right now, coming to AMTEC and learning all about the programs, about EvCC and meeting staff, faculty and students. Lots of listening and learning.

Describe yourself at 12 years old.

I believed I was destined to be an incredible basketball or baseball player.  I lived with extended family, so I spent lots of time with my grandfather shooting baskets in the driveway, walking our family dog, playing in the creek and woods in the backyard, and helping our neighbors with their horses. 

What is your favorite meal/ snack in summer? Favorite summer beverage?

Nachos anytime; Iced tea

What would be the title of your autobiography?

She Thinks She is Hilarious

What is the first concert you attended?

Journey – at the Cleveland Coliseum – it was quite a while ago.

What is a defining moment in your life?

Returning unexpectedly from the Peace Corps after enduring civil war in the country where I served. My service changed the way I view service and honestly, the privileges that I have.

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

Not in any reading challenges.  Trying to finish Middle Age by Joyce Carol Oates, and starting the Gorilla and the Bird by Zack McDerrmott

What one food do you wish had zero calories?

PIZZA

Where is your hometown? Were you born and raised in the same place?

Wadsworth, OH; Lived in Ohio until 1996

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Engaged in work that challenges me and makes a difference in individual’s lives; learning to be a yoga teacher.

What do you like to do on your days off?

Luna the dog
Luna the dog on centennial trail outside of Arlington

Walking with my partner and Luna the dog anywhere where there is a trail with good things to sniff (Luna sniffs we watch her).

On a non-outside day reading, good true crime, knitting.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?

“DIG deep – get deliberate, inspired and going.” Brene Brown

Behind the Resume #66 – Ashley Randall

What is your title at EvCC, and what will you be doing in your day-to-day endeavors at the College?

Ashley Randall new employee photo

Wellness Coordinator.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

I graduated from Humboldt State University in 2012 with a B.A. in Communication Studies. For the last four years I lived on the San Juan Islands working within the local agriculture scene. I worked as a produce clerk at our food co-op, a farm-hand on an organic farm, a maker at a botanical apothecary, and the director of the public school’s Farm to School program. I recently completed my certification as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner with the Nutritional Therapy Association.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

My job at the Orcas Island Farm to School Program. I was granted a lot of creative freedom to design and implement garden-based curriculum for K-8 students. I loved connecting with students through growing and cooking food and learning from the island’s local botanists, chefs, bakers, homesteaders, marine biologists, fermenters, farmers and beekeepers. 

What does a typical day look like for you?

Morning routine, bike to work, work, bike home, evening routine

What is your favorite meal/ snack in summer? Favorite summer beverage?

Meal: Chicken salad with roasted sunflower seeds over a bed of freshly harvested salad greens

Beverage: Soda water with muddled strawberries and basil

Ashley cooking over an open fire
Open fire cooking on Orcas Island

What is the first concert you attended?

Olivia Newton John….I was 9 years old and waited the entire concert just to hear her sing two songs from the movie Grease.

What is a defining moment in your life?

Meeting my partner.

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

I just finished reading Wired to Eat by Robb Wolf

What one food do you wish had zero calories?

Sourdough bread

Where is your hometown? Were you born and raised in the same place?

Born in Los Angeles and Raised in Ocean Beach, California.

Ashley and cousins hiking in snow
Snow hiking out to Lava River Cave in Flagstaff, AZ with my cousins

What do you like to do on your days off?

Garden, meal prep for the week, listen to podcasts on all things wellness, bead earrings, read tarot, explore new terrain, and spend time with my partner.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?

From Rupi Kaur

brief poem in image

Behind the Resume #65 – Trevor Leeman

Trevor Leeman New Employee Photo

What is your title at EvCC, and what will you be doing in your day-to-day endeavors at the College?

Currently, my title is IT Specialist 3. I’ll be working with the Web team to aid in the development of intranet applications and help manage the website in general. Day to day, it will be a lot of coding, learning, planning, and working with departments across campus to improve workflow through applications!

Tell us a little about your professional background.

My professional background started 3 years ago at this very place! As part of the AA in Information Technology here at EvCC, you are required to participate in an internship. After searching far and wide, it was here, within the same building all of our classes were held, that I finally secured one! After a short stint working in IT Desktop Management over the summer, the internship transitioned into a part time job on the IT Help Desk.

After graduating from EvCC with an AA in IT, I ventured across the mountains to Ellensburg where I spent the next two years pursuing a BS in IT & Administrative Management. While attending, I worked as a Student Web Developer in their Web Services department.

Now, things have come full circle and I’m back working with the same team I so dearly missed!

What was your most memorable job? Why?

Working on the IT Help Desk was the most memorable, mainly because of the people. Everyone in the Desktop Management team became like a second family, and we had a lot of fun while getting things done. Setting up new computer labs might sound like some of the most menial work in IT, but it was always the most fun because we got to chat and share stories while setting things up. The time flew by on days like that!

What does a typical day look like for you? 

Trevor and his dogs
Trevor and his dogs

Now that the 10-hour work schedule has started, weekdays entail waking up at 6:00am to get ready, leave by 6:50am to avoid trestle traffic, arrive at 7:30am and work till 6:00pm. Then I’ll head home, get some dinner, hop into a Discord call with friends, and play some games or simply chat until it’s time for bed. Weekends are atypical and always a wildcard; no one weekend is the same as the last.

Describe yourself at 12 years old.

At 12 years old, I was an introverted individual, a determined student, soccer player, and a video game enthusiast. My interest in video games led to an interest in tech, which spiraled into an interest in web, and ultimately led me to where I’m at today.

What is your favorite meal/ snack in summer? Favorite summer beverage?

Chilled, crisp watermelon is the epitome of the perfect summer snack! As for a beverage, nothing can beat a cold glass of water on a hot summer day. If we’re talking something a little more festive, Vanilla Bean cider from Locust Cider is a must try!

What would be the title of your autobiography?

It’s too early to say.

What is the first concert you attended?

The concert was sometime around 2013-2014, and Paramore was playing at Key Arena. It was an amazing experience, but I haven’t made it out to another concert since! Definitely something I’ll be looking into while living on this side of the mountains again.

What is a defining moment in your life? 

Hopefully it’s not too cheesy, but landing this job. It’s my first job out of college, and I couldn’t be more stoked!

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

I’m not much of a reader. The last book I read was The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, approximately 1 year ago.

What one food do you wish had zero calories?

French fries.

Where is your hometown? Were you born and raised in the same place?

Born and raised in Snohomish.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Professionally, hopefully still working here! Personally, I hope to be moved into my own place, preferably with a cat! 

What do you like to do on your days off?

Relax, listen to music, play games with friends online, go running, complete necessary chores, play chess and play soccer.

Trevor on the peak of Mount Pilchuck
Cresting Mount Pilchuck

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?

Don’t take life too seriously. Nobody makes it out alive!

Behind the Resume #64 – Jeffrey Pannell

What is your title at EvCC, and what will you be doing in your day-to-day endeavors at the College?

Jeffrey Pannell new employee photo


My title is Program Specialist 4 – International Education. I will be the PDSO on campus, helping international students navigate the murky regulations of immigration and helping to ensure students remain in status and are supported in all their endeavors.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

I’ve worked in the field of International Education since 2007 and got my undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in the field of International Affairs. I lived in Japan for a number of years, and got my master’s degree from Hiroshima University. My focus was on Education and Culture – specifically working with the development of international higher education. Before coming to Everett Community College, I worked at the University of Nevada, Reno as a PDSO and an ARO: managing exchange agreements, helping students come to the United States, and managing data/software for their international office.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

Jeffrey and wife at Grand Canyon
My wife & I at the Grand Canyon

When I was in high school, I was hired to do the computer network maintenance and IT for our nearby middle school. It was my first IT job, and it was exciting to be working at a school even though I was still a student.

What does a typical day look like for you?


Depending on the time of year, sunrise happens somewhere between 5 and 7 in the morning, and then sunset happens around 6 to 7 in the evening. Sometimes it’s lighter or darker depending on the weather.

Describe yourself at 12 years old.

Jeffrey with family at airport
Impromptu airport meetup with my family

At 12-years-old I had really gotten into playing french horn, and had begun playing with the Reno Municipal Band in the parks. I was very much a band geek, and told lots of dorky jokes. Basically, not too much has changed.

What is your favorite meal/ snack in winter? Favorite winter beverage?


I really enjoy seasonal veggies like winter squash. I’m a big fan of Japanese pumpkins. For beverages I’m a big fan of hot masala chai.


What would be the title of your autobiography?

Christmas family photo
Christmas family photo

Hard to say. I would probably make it a terrible pun of some sort, and then my wife would look at me disapprovingly and hit me in the arm.

What is the first concert you attended?

It was Boarding for Breast Cancer, a punk concert at a local ski resort. Performers included Linkin Park, Blink 182 and Less Than Jake.


What is a defining moment in your life?

When I look up moment in the dictionary of course.

Massan photo with wife
Massan, a daytime drama our picture appeared on for people who had international marriages

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

The current book I’m reading is “The Bullet Journal Method” by Ryder Carroll. I’m not participating in any challenges currently, but I enjoy reading quite a bit!

What one food do you wish had zero calories?

Okonomiyaki

Where is your hometown? Were you born and raised in the same place?

My hometown is (was?) a little dusty town in the middle of the desert in Nevada called Fernley. I was born in the nearby city of Reno, since that’s where the hospital was.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Since I just moved north from Nevada in order support international student services, I can only assume the trend will continue and within 5 years I will be located at the north pole giving immigration advice to penguins.

daughter with book
My daughter pretending to read books

What do you like to do on your days off?

Read, play Dungeons and Dragons, and generally relax.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?
Don’t panic.

Behind the Resume #63 – Ciera Graham

Ciera Graham new employee photo

What is your title at EvCC, and what will you be doing in your day-to-day endeavors at the College?
My title is the Director of the EvCC East County Campus. My priorities as a Director include increasing enrollment, expanding program and degree options, enhancing the student experience, building sustainable community relations and supporting faculty and staff at East County so they can do their jobs and support students to the best of their ability.

Tell us a little about your professional background.
I obtained my PhD in Sociology at the University of Cincinnati in August 2015. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Washington State University in May of 2008 and 2010 respectively. I have over six years of experience in student affairs, program management, supervision, career counseling/advising, diversity/cultural programming. Moreover, I also have three years of teaching experience (high school and undergraduate); serving as an instructor for Sociology courses, and a Life Skills instructor for the Upward Bound Program. My past position involved serving as the Associate Director of Student Affairs at WSU Everett, where I managed 8 different student affair functional areas independently. A few of my accomplishments in this position include creating the first ever student food pantry, the society of women engineers student organization, and our CARE (Crisis, Assessment, Response and Education) team.
I am the inaugural awardee of the University of Cincinnati Arts & Science Young Alumni Award, and I was featured in the Women of Student Affairs (WISA) Phenomenal Friday –an organization devoted to recognizing women in student affairs who have made accomplishments to advance student success.

Ciera with cousin in lifejackets
Parasailing in South Beach Miami (with my cousin) – June 2018

What was your most memorable job? Why?
It wasn’t a job per se, but it was memorable. I was a volunteer at a library in Rainier Beach, WA when I was 14. I cleaned shelves, and restocked books. It wasn’t the most glorious job, but it really helped me understand the value of hard and honest work, and the important role that libraries play in improving literacy in low income underserved communities.

What does a typical day look like for you?
I had my first day on Feb 1st, so as of now my days will involve lots of learning from staff and faculty, meeting with key main campus and community partners, and getting to know the East County student experience. I can imagine that a typical day would involve meetings, working on projects and strategic planning, and making sure I am visible and present to those I support.

Describe yourself at 12 years old.
A self-proclaimed diva with a lot of attitude. I loved hanging out with my friends and living a pretty care-free life. I had braces and wore glasses. I was ambitious, but still very much guarded and introverted. I was excited to turn 16 so I could get my own job and buy my own school clothes. One thing that hasn’t changed since I was 12 is that I am still very much future-oriented. I’m always thinking about future possibilities.

Ciera with significant other in front of snow-covered trees
Hurricane Ridge with my significant other (Spencer Graves) – February 2018

What is your favorite meal/ snack in winter? Favorite winter beverage?
I love raspberry white chocolate mochas and chocolate peanut butter cookies.

What would be the title of your autobiography?
The resilient unicorn or Black Girl Magic. I can’t choose one.

What is the first concert you attended?
I was late to the concert scene, but the first concert I actually enjoyed was Beyonce and Jay Z On the Run, last October 2018.

What is a defining moment in your life?
It would probably be my dissertation defense, and when I officially became Doctor Graham. My parents flew from Seattle to Ohio to witness my dissertation defense. As two working class parents who ensured their kids had everything they needed, it meant a lot for them to see this momentous event even if they didn’t quite understand it. My parents made a lot of sacrifices to send me to a private high school, and to later attend college. I always felt that my success was a way to show them how I was grateful and appreciative of their wonderful parenting. I remember right after my dissertation committee deliberated, they came out to a room with my mom, my dad and announced, I was officially Dr. Graham. I looked at my mom, and tears ran down her face. I cried, as well.

What are you reading right now/ what was the last book you read? Are you participating in any reading challenges? The last book I read was Michelle Obama’s book, Becoming. I am currently reading Crystal Fleming’s book, How to be less Stupid about Race. I am not participating in any formal reading challenges, but my goal has always been to read more for pleasure and less out of obligation.

What one food do you wish had zero calories?
Pecan Pie with whipped cream—made by my mama, of course.

Where is your hometown? Were you born and raised in the same place?
Tukwila, WA. Yes, I was born and raised here.

Ciera zip-lining in Leavenworth, WA
Zip Line in Leavenworth – August 2018

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Still at East County contributing to a growing and formidable campus, supporting more staff and faculty, and engaging with a community members. I very much want to be a part of the longevity of this campus.

What do you like to do on your days off?
Cook, shop, workout, spend time with friends, family and my significant other. Oh, and I love paint projects.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?
My favorite quote will always be from Maya Angelou. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

I always aim to make powerful and long lasting impressions on anyone I meet.