Month: July 2015

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

I am the new Associate Director of International Education. My days will find me developing and strengthening cross-campus partnerships to ensure the best educational opportunities for our students who come from overseas. My role is to ensure they understand how the U.S. college system works and where they can find the on- and off-campus help they need and guide them through the troubleshooting process. I will assist with international student admissions, coordinate international student orientation, and serve as the international

office’s liaison for our high school completion program. As part of the recruitment team I will also work with our partners abroad to promote the fantastic academic program options we have available here.

 

 

Tell us a little about your professional background. 

I have been working in international education (primarily study abroad) since 2007. In 2007 I began assisting remotely with the development of an immersion program in Ecuador. From 2008-2010 I worked as a Study Abroad Advisor and Faculty-Led Program Coordinator at Central Washington University. In 2010, I was offered a fulltime on-site position with El Nomad Study Abroad Programs and relocated to Ecuador where I worked in curriculum integration, outreach, and relationship development with foreign institutions until March of this year.

What was your first job?

Although my first job was when I was in high school working at Longs Drugs in Kirkland, I have held a variety of interesting jobs during my young adulthood including: selling duty free cigarettes through a Canadian outsourced call center located in Buenos Aires (Argentina) to U.S. clients, marketing manager for a water taxi and jet boat company on the Sydney Harbour, and a university professor in Cuenca, Ecuador.

How do you commute to work? What is your favorite radio station/ program to listen to on your commute (if any)?

I drive. It is the first time I have driven to work in 7 years! You can find me shamelessly blasting music and singing along as loudly as possible. I like everything from Latin ballads, to rock, to Indie American folk music, it just depends on the day… but one guarantee is that I’m always singing.

 

 

 

 

If you could have any super power (flying, time travel, etc.), what would it be?

Some kind of super speed or teleportation so I could spend my weekends exploring far off lands and still make it back for work on Monday morning.

What are your goals/ ambitions in your position at EvCC?

Wow. I have so many. First off, to fill the very big shoes that are being left behind. I hope I do the position justice!

I am looking forward to developing new partnerships in Latin America, using my cross-cultural and Spanish language abilities to reach out to prospective new partners throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Also, I am excited about working with my co-workers to improve our office’s use of online technology and social media for exposure and recruitment purposes.

Last, but not least, this job is all about the students! I look forward to getting to know our current and future students (local and international alike) and hope I can work to make their EvCC experience all it can be!

 

 

 

 

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

I love traveling, being abroad, exploring new countries, and floundering with new languages. That is by far my favorite pastime. My other passion is running. I am an aspiring distance runner and will be attempting to finish the Bellingham Bay Full Marathon at the end of September. My hope is to continue my training and run the 2016 Ragnar Relay and become an ultra-marathoner. Needless to say, you’ll find me at the gym during my lunch hour.

What are you reading right now/ what was the last book you read?

I am currently reading Daughters of Distance by Vanessa Runs. It’s all about being a woman in ultra-running and how feminism can meet athletics head-on allowing women to be themselves while still participating in extreme sporting events.

Who is your hero/ heroine? Why?

My mother. Lord knows how she has survived having me as a daughter!

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received? Why?

I tend to have a unique way of seeing the world and choose interesting paths. So I have always taken to heart the following from Alice in Wonderland:

The Mad Hatter: “Have I gone mad?”

Alice: “I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.”

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

I am the Director of the Center for Disability Services, and I provide leadership and manage the day to day operations of the department as well as work directly with students. My job is to ensure that students with disabilities are free of discrimination and given the same opportunities as all other students. This doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and one of my favorite parts of my job is collaborating with and supporting others on campus in providing a barrier-free environment.

 

Tell us a little about your professional background.

I am a proud Husky, having earned my BA in Psychology and Master’s in Social Work from the UW. Prior to working in higher education I served as a juvenile probation officer, a counselor of teens and their families, a director of a group home and foster home licensor. My first experience in a college environment was at the Art Institute of Seattle serving in a variety of roles for over 22 years. My greatest accomplishment there was to advocate for and develop their first disability services office.

 

What was your first job?

At 17 years old, my first job was tutoring and supervising the other tutors serving underserved children. It really was a strange situation since I had no supervisory experience.

 

How do you commute to work? What is your favorite radio station/ program to listen to on your commute (if any)?
I drive from Shoreline and usually listen to KIRO radio to be aware of any traffic issues and catch up on the news. On the way home, I frequently talk to a friend on my hands-free phone.

What is your favorite hobby or pastime? 

I have a tiny cabin on the coast and love to walk on the beach, read and play with my dog Shasta and cat Zoe. (Shasta is at the cabin in the photo below.) I have been a Seahawk fan since the 80s, and sat through many losing games until the end when only the diehards remained in the stadium. So exciting to see them on top!

If you could have any super power (flying, time travel, etc.), what would it be?

If I could have any power, it would be to eliminate hate and discrimination on the planet. Imagine a world always at peace, and everyone treated respectfully and equally- the possibilities of that world are endless and amazing!

 

What are your goals/ ambitions in your position at EvCC?

Of course, I want EvCC to be in compliance with the civil rights laws protecting those with disabilities. To do so, my major goal is to establish EvCC as a cultural leader in always designing and providing accessible electronic materials (such as websites, instructional materials and software) for students, employees and the community.

What are you reading right now/ what was the last book you read?

The Boys on the Boat about the UW crew team who won the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. This is an inspiring story about underdogs overcoming barriers and the author cleverly paralleled the events in Germany to provide the context.

Who is your hero/ heroine? Why?

I was blown away by Barbara Jordan when she gave her speech at the Democratic Convention in 1976 and spoke of “equality for all and privilege for none.” She was the first African American woman from a southern state to serve in Congress and a powerful and eloquent leader in the civil rights movement. She embodied how and who I wanted to be: passionate about justice, live by my values and a voice to help others to be heard.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received? Why?

“Choose your battles” has been helpful in both my career and personal life. It goes along with the question, “How important will this be in 5 years?” It is important to determine and start with those that are truly important and evaluate the situation to decide which approach to take. It definitely focuses me and helps me to stay sane!