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Behind the Resume #32 – Sean Gehrke

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

I’m the Director of Institutional Research, and in general I will be providing guidance to members of the College about how to use data to inform decision-making. This entails making meaning of simple numbers as well as advance research studies, while also empowering others to use information for effective decision-making.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

I’ve worked my entire career in higher education, having spent roughly 10 years as a student affairs administrator prior to becoming a researcher. I have performed research focusing on multiple stakeholders in higher education (including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni). My experience as an administrator and researcher has contributed to knowledge in outcomes-based assessment, strategic planning, STEM reform, and leadership development. I received my Ph.D. in urban education from the University of Southern California, my M.Ed. in counseling and personnel services from the University of Maryland College Park, and my B.A. in psychology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland.

roman-forum — Colleen and I at the Roman Forum on our trip to Europe last February.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

My most memorable is probably my first job as a server and dishwasher in a retirement and assisted living community in Portland – I had this job through high school and college. I learned so much about how to work with people and professionalism. It also helped me to come out of my shell (I wasn’t the most outgoing person younger in life).

What does a typical day look like for you?

My typical day involves a combination of meetings with individuals and committees to provide context and expertise with data and research while also working in my office on research projects and helping to fulfill requests that come into institutional research.

Describe yourself at 10 years old.

I was a pretty shy kid at 10 who was interested in school and music (I played violin through college). But I was also fun-loving and working to develop my sense of optimism and relaxed demeanor that I have today.

budino-olive — Our two cats, Budino and Olive. I am allergic to cats, so we have Devon Rexes because they are relatively hypoallergenic. I love my cats.

What is your favorite meal/ snack in autumn? Favorite fall beverage?

I love cooking soups and stews and big hearty meals to be shared with others in the fall. My favorite beverage in the fall (along with the rest of the year) is a good seasonal beer or glass of red wine.

What is your favorite movie and book?

I have many favorite movies, but one of my favorites is Sunset Boulevard. I have many favorite books, but some recent fiction favorites are A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James and the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson, and a recent non-fiction favorite is Believer by David Axelrod.

If your house was burning down, what’s the one non-living thing you would save?

My wife’s computer because it has so many photos of our trips and adventures from the past 5 years. If I couldn’t find that, maybe my coffee grinder. 
Favorite travel spot?

The Oregon coast. I have fond memories up and down the central and north coast of Oregon, most notably Cannon Beach, where my wife and I got married five years ago on the beach.

cubs-mariners — Seeing the Mariners play at Wrigley Field against this Cubs this summer.

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

I enjoy hiking, traveling (I got to take my first trip to Europe this past year), cooking and eating good food, drinking and learning about wine, following professional basketball and baseball (I’m a lifelong Cubs fan, so it’s been a good year), and spending time with my wife, Colleen, and our cats. I also love following politics.
What are you reading right now/ what was the last book you read? Are you participating in any reading challenges?

No reading challenges. The last book I read was Nixonland, which examined events and politics of the 60’s and 70’s and how they contributed to today’s divisions in the country.

What one food do you wish had zero calories?

Both butter and sugar.

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

I was born and raised in Milwaukie, OR just outside of Portland.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years, I see myself continuing to do this work and feeling more settled in the broader Seattle area.

rainier — Rainier – Hiking in Mt. Rainier National Park in 2014.

What do you like to do on your days off?

Spend time with my wife, explore the city (both sights and food), go for a walk or hike, and sleep in.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?

If it’s not fun, don’t do it.

Behind the Resume #31 – April Harris

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

I’m at the new Senior Graphic Designer in College Advancement. I will be helping the college community promote and communication all the great things that are going on here to various audiences. You will most likely find me in my natural habitat – behind the computer monitor staring at photos, fonts, and graphics.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

My experience as a graphic design has centered around the communications/PR fields but I have had a variety of experience in this arena. I’ve been in an in-house communications department with North Carolina’s court system. From there, I worked as a graphic designer in a communications agency and had the experience of working with external clients. For the past year and a half, I’ve been a freelancer working on projects from a variety of communications-related projects ranging from higher education/research to agribusiness and non-profit organizations.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

Family portraits on the Seattle-Bainbridge Island ferry. February 2016. (Pictured: April Harris, daughter, Madelyn, and husband, Dawson.)

Probably my first job. I was a tomato grader at a farm. It wasn’t a terrible job (I got to work with my friends), but it was one of those jobs that made you realize what you DON’T want to be when you grow up.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Sending emails, flexing my creative muscles in Photoshop, InDesign or Illustrator, meetings. Outside of work, taking care of my daughter and other tasks to keep the house going. My husband’s job takes him away from home a lot so there’s never a dull moment for me.

Describe yourself at 10 years old.

My memory isn’t that good. Haha. I would say I was artistic and shy, an animal lover, ballet dancer, and softball player.

What is your favorite meal/ snack in autumn? Favorite fall beverage?

April's daughter, Madelyn, in her monarch butterfly costume for Halloween -- her first time trick-or-treating. — My daughter, Madelyn, in her monarch butterfly costume for Halloween — her first time trick-or-treating.

Soup. I love potato soup and split pea soup. Of course, coffee and/or hot chocolate is a must.

What is your favorite movie and book?

What are those? I have a 19 month old.

I do watch several tv shows though. I’m big on sitcoms and will never tire of The Office. I also like Modern Family, The Middle, This is Us, The Good Place, and Superstore to name a few. My DVR gets worked regularly.

If your house was burning down, what’s the one non-living thing you would save?

My computer. It has all the important information; photos, videos, saved passwords…

Favorite travel spot?

Cozumel, Mexico was pretty awesome and I’d love to go again. But after being on the west coast the past year and a half, I’m a little nostalgic for the NC & SC coast; Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, Emerald Isle, Bald Head Island, and the Outer Banks.

My daughter, Madelyn, relaxing by the pool.

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

I don’t have too much free time, but I like to exercise and coupon.

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

I have many a book downloaded on my phone with many only partially read. The last book I ready from cover to cover was #girlboss. Written by Sophia Amoruso, it’s an autobiographical book about her journey from dumpster diving to running a multi-million dollar fashion empire.

What one food do you wish had zero calories?

Ben & Jerry’s Addicted to Chocolate

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

Born and raised in Salisbury, NC until I went off to college.

What do you like to do on your days off?

Sleep, eat, explore the area (I’m still learning what all is around here!)

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?

“The goal of a designer is to listen, observe, understand, sympathize, empathize, synthesize, and glean insights that enable him or her to ‘make the invisible visible.’ –Hillman Curtis

Behind the Resume #30 – Jennifer Enger

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

I am the Instructional Classroom and Support Technician for I-CATCH (Innovations in Creating Access to Careers in Health). I will be leading study sessions for students, tutoring students one-on-one, assisting in the classroom, and helping to plan workshops for the students.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

I have an associates degree in Veterinary Technology, a certificate in Medical Transcription, and I am currently finishing my bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I worked for over 15 years in the veterinary field. For the past four years, I worked at Seattle Pacific University in their Health Clinic as a medical receptionist.

steve-and-jennifer — My husband, Steve, is my best friend.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

My most memorable job was working as a veterinary technician. Sometimes, the patients were not thrilled to see you. I was often the “cat wrangler” at the clinic. This required donning leather gloves and “making the cat into a burrito” a.k.a. wrapping it up in a towel. This job required a lot of multitasking. One minute you were taking an x-ray, the next minute you were drawing a blood sample, or placing an IV catheter. I was never bored, and it was very rewarding.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I spend time in the mornings either planning study sessions for students or leading study sessions. By mid-day, I am helping in the classrooms. At the end of the day, I am entering attendance and completed workbook points into Canvas.

Describe yourself at 10 years old.

My childhood friends and I would hang out in a nearby church parking lot. Since there were no cars using it on the weekdays or Saturdays, we would ride our bikes around it, roller-skate there, or play lava monster tag.

What is your favorite meal/ snack in autumn? Favorite fall beverage?

My favorite thing to eat in Autumn is pumpkin pie. A close second would be my family’s homemade apple pie with crumble crust. My favorite Autumn beverage is apple cider, but I also love pumpkin spice lattes.

What is your favorite movie and book?

My favorite book is Jane Eyre. My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice.

If your house was burning down, what’s the one non-living thing you would save?

I would save the hamster cages, so that our hamsters would not be homeless.

fort-casey — Fort Casey is one of our favorite hangouts. (Picture of my son and myself).

Favorite travel spot?

I love to go to Whidbey Island. We enjoy camping at Deception Pass, and my family also likes to visit Camp Casey.

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

I love to go camping with my family. I also love to crochet and spend time reading.

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 the Social Life of DNA.

What one food do you wish had zero calories? Dark Chocolate

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

I grew up and was raised in Seattle.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself finished with my Bachelor’s degree and enjoying all of the hobbies that I have put on hold.

long-beach — Having fun with my family at Long Beach, WA. (Windy picture with kids)

What do you like to do on your days off?

Spend time having fun with my two children.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?

My favorite quote is from Barbara Johnson: “Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.”

Behind the Resume #29 – Kaitlyn Dodge

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

I am the Program Assistant for Outreach and Highschool Programs. I will be scheduling and coordinating on-campus visits, and working closely with student ambassadors. I’ll also be doing a lot of behind-the-scenes planning for OHSP’s various campus events.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

With WSU's mascot, Butch T. Cougar! — With WSU’s mascot, Butch T. Cougar!

I graduated from WSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development & Sociology. I was an orientation counselor, Resident Advisor and I also worked as office staff. I found my passion for working in higher education during my time at WSU.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

WSU graduation photo with my college sign and with WSU's mascot, Butch T. Cougar! — WSU graduation photo with my college sign

Definitely an orientation counselor for WSU. Being able to welcome new students, help them find their way and make them feel at home was amazing!

What does a typical day look like for you?

I’m still trying to figure out what that will look like at work, but after work, I enjoy spending time outside with my Australian Shepherd and my husband.

Describe yourself at 10 years old.

I had way too much energy, playing lots of soccer and spending quality time with my two younger brothers.
If you had to eat one meal – every day for the rest of your life – what would

Visiting the Ice Caves in Granite Falls with my pup

it be?

Oh, definitely tacos. Tacos are life.

What is your favorite movie and book?

Any and every Disney movie, and the Little House on the Prairie series will always have a special place in my heart. Basically, I’m a child at heart.
If your house was burning down, what’s the one non-living thing you would save?

Probably my grandma’s wedding ring that was passed down to me at my own wedding.

Favorite travel spot?

I recommend that everyone visits Yellowstone National Park and Lewis & Clark Caverns in Montana. Iv’e been twice and try to go every year with new people.

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

Spending time with my huge extended family! I love canning and preserving! I

My husband's family at their favorite annual event, Hoopfest. — My husband’s family at their favorite annual event, Hoopfest.

have all sorts of jams, pie fillings, salsas and pizza/ pasta sauces from my garden or local farmers’ produce. I love being able to preserve the bounties of fall/ summer and share with family and friends.

What are you reading right now/ what was the last book you read? Are you participating in any reading challenges, such as the EvCC Library’s Super Heroes Summer Reading?

Honestly, my last book was probably a sociology textbook. Right now, I have a bunch of community college training books checked out from the library, that I am looking forward to.

My mom & brothers at my wedding (my biggest support system!)

What one food do you wish had zero calories?

All of the chocolate things. Mmm chocolate.

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

I was born and raised in Lake Stevens and Marysville, WA.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I hope to continue working in Student Services or Student LIFE. I’d love to pack up and move to a random state for a new experience!

Family photo of my own little family! My husband, Jerodan. Australian Shepherd, Mellie, and our cat, Sybbie.

What do you like to do on your days off?

My husband and I are renovating our home, so our weekends aren’t very relaxing. But we love it! We also enjoy visiting new restaurants with amazing or new food.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?

My favorite and most meaningful piece of advice came from my dad. “Never care what anyone thinks.” It helped me to enjoy and find my unique style and attitude on life, and always stay true to myself.

Behind the Resume #28 – Arantxa Gallegos

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

My title at EvCC is Program Manager A (Outreach Specialist) in the Outreach and High School Programs Department. My focus will be on sustaining and strengthening our relationships with K-12 partners and community based organizations, as well as building our social media presence. From prospective student recruitment events to class presentations on college readiness, I’m looking forward to working directly with students, teachers, and families!

Tell us a little about your professional background.

A day on, not off for AmeriCorps members.

I worked two years as an AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) Fellow – Literacy Coordinator at a children’s literacy non-profit organization in Los Angeles.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

My most memorable job was as a student security guard at Wellesley College’s on-campus art museum. I witnessed the fruition and development of art exhibitions, expanded my knowledge on art movements and artists, watched artists create on-site pieces, and met Madeline Albright. Most importantly, I developed an immense appreciation and respect for security guards at large art institutions.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I just started working, so I’m unsure of how my days will unfold. I will say that every morning will start with an English muffin with avocado and coffee, followed by a 45 minute commute in the fog, and, then, work.

Family picture: Arantxa, her mother, two sisters, and baby niece celebrating Mother's Day. — Family picture: Arantxa, her mother, two sisters, and baby niece celebrating Mother’s Day.

Describe yourself at 10 years old.

At 10 years old, I was extremely observant and melodramatic.

If you had to eat one meal – every day for the rest of your life – what would it be?

This is such a difficult question to answer! If I had to choose, I would want to eat mole every day. And tamales.

What is your favorite movie and book?

My favorite movie is My Family/Mi Familia. My favorite book is Southland by Nina Revoyr followed by the Harry Potter series.

Arantxa and her younger sister at Dodgers Stadium.

If your house was burning down, what’s the one non-living thing you would save?

My LA cap.

Favorite travel spot?

During my junior year, I studied abroad in Santiago, Chile and I fell in love with two cities, Valparaiso and Valdivia. Valparaiso is a vibrant, brightly colored port city outside of Santiago. Valdivia, located in the southern region of Chile, is a quaint city with beautiful German architecture and delicious chocolate.

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

Exploring cities on foot or on public transportation.

honey — Honey, the lovable family bulldog, wearing her Dodgers gear.

What are you reading right now/ what was the last book you read? Are you participating in any reading challenges, such as the EvCC Library’s Super Heroes Summer Reading?

The last book I read was Jesmyn Ward’s The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks about Race and I highly recommend it to everyone. The next book on my list is Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis by Robert D. Putnam.

What one food do you wish had zero calories?

Pecans! Nuts are healthy, but a healthy portion is only 6 to 8 pieces. That’s too small.

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

I was born in East Los Angeles, but I was raised in Lynwood, CA, which is a small urban city in Southeast Los Angeles County.

Arantxa learned to dance Latin American folkloric dances in college and annually performed at the Latin Cultural Show.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself pursuing a PhD in a new city in a new state.

What do you like to do on your days off?

Go for a jog, buy a cup of great coffee, and hang out with friends.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?

“Every time someone gives you a formula for what you should be and what you should do, you should know they’re giving you a pair of handcuffs.” – Junot Díaz