Behind the Resume #44 – Papken O’Farrell

Papken OFarrell 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 at EvCC is Director of Program Development – Criminal Justice/Fire Science, the Public Safety Programs of the Health Sciences and Public Safety Division. I act as the hub between faculty, staff, and the dean’s office, and I’m involved in partnerships and outreach to our programs’ professional sectors while driving recruitment and overseeing the staff side of our day-to-day efforts.

Tell us a little about your professional background.
Before EvCC, I was at the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Washington, where I managed a mid-career degree program and their continuing education courses. For much of that time, I also volunteered as the operations manager of a small pet rescue nonprofit based in Eastern Washington. Prior to that, I worked at Seattle Central (at the time, Community) College, from where I also attained my AA degree. The diversity and direct social impact of a community college can’t be beat, and I’m excited to be here at Everett Community College to experience that connection and impact again.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

Papken with an adoptable dog from the pet rescue
Papken with an adoptable dog from the pet rescue

My most memorable job was probably my first public sector job, working at the US Census Bureau in their regional office at the age of 19. Basically, the area office had to hire an entire set of staff—trainers, payroll, selections (hiring), as well as the census takers who work in the field, obviously—and complete their count within a matter of months. Out of a degree of chaos and uncertainly, we completed the counts for the 2000 Census, which included obtaining a much-needed updated count of the population experiencing homelessness in Washington State.

What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me includes meeting and fostering relationships with representatives of the fire services, emergency medical services, and criminal justice agencies in the region and state, as well as those at high schools and community organizations. I am also involved in curriculum and program planning, marketing and recruitment, supervising the staff, collaborating with faculty, and implementing process improvement so that we are delivering the best public value possible. A lot of my time in my first weeks has been spent learning EvCC systems and connecting with EvCC colleagues in other departments, to ensure we remain aligned with the College’s mission and encourage cross-campus cooperation.

Describe yourself at 12 years old.
At 12 years old, I was really creative and active physically. I trained in karate 4–5 days a week and was always running around (usually outside) whether with friends or by myself. I would spend a ton of time drawing and coming up with my own ideas for role-playing games, video games, and action figure toys. I was also really into environmentalism and music, and started to read books about cultures from outside my small, privileged sphere.

What is your favorite meal/ snack in winter? Favorite winter beverage?
My favorite meal/snack in winter is a tie between soup with salad and buttered soda bread, or mac and cheese with hot dogs (usually veggie dogs). My favorite winter beverage is black tea with milk, which is my preferred beverage most seasons. It just stuck after living in the British Isles.

What would be the title of your autobiography?
Tough one. Maybe, From Jet City to Viking Town: A Mini-Odyssey of Animals, Imagination, Music, Combat Sports, and Public Service.

What is the first concert you attended?
I think it was a Tim Noah Christmas concert at the Bon Marché or Nordstrom—I guess, Snohomish County represent!

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
My favorite pastime is being outdoors with my dogs, in pretty much any weather.

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 Green Island, a fictional memoir that follows a Taiwanese family’s experiences from the end of World War II, just after Taiwan had been a colony of the Japanese Empire, through its transition to the early Republic of China, and finally its transition to open democracy in the 1980s.

What one food do you wish had zero calories?
Chocolate. Perhaps not much of an original answer…but it’s precious to me!

Where is your hometown? Were you born and raised in the same place?
I was born in Seattle but actually grew up from the age of 12 in Dublin, Ireland. I also bounced around a bit before coming back to the Puget Sound area to finish college.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I see myself still contributing to public service, hopefully with more education under my belt.

What do you like to do on your days off?
On my days off, I like to hike or walk with my dogs and sometimes go to concerts.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?
I have two. One piece of advice that I try to follow imparts that, since there are no guarantees in life and ultimately, very few things matter, you should spend your time being happy, being kind, and loving what you do.

Another is that, although everyone has cowardice, the surest way to failure is to hang back out of fear. Rather, pursue challenges and engage in conflict with energy and joy, regardless of what the outcome might be.

Behind the Resume #38 – Greg Crowther

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

I’m about to start as a biology instructor in the Life Sciences Department within the Division of Math and Sciences.  I will mostly be teaching human anatomy & physiology (“A&P,” to insiders) to health sciences students such as pre-nursing students.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

I’m coming to Everett after 22 years spent mostly at the Bothell and Seattle campuses of the University of Washington.  I had a variety of roles there as a graduate student, postdoc, and faculty member, ranging from teaching biology-for-engineers courses to performing lab research on the development of new malaria drugs.

What was your most memorable job? Why?

As a graduate student studying human muscle metabolism, I worked in a UW lab that also studied the tail-shaker muscles of Western diamondback rattlesnakes. Though I never experimented on them myself, and though they were always well-contained, they added a bit of drama to lab tours.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Greg Crowther and family
Greg and his family earlier in 2017

Ask me again once I get to campus! (I don’t officially start until January.)  But most days should include an hour or two of lecture, a couple hours of lab, an office hour, and a bunch of prep time.  Then I might go home, cook dinner, and try to be a competent father and husband for a couple of hours.

Describe yourself at 12 years old.

Among other features, I was:

(a) a fairly serious long-distance runner and
(b) rather short and skinny, with a still-high voice. These tidbits tend to come up in class when we’re discussing the A&P of exercise and the A&P of puberty, though I try not to over-share.

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

I love fried chicken, especially the slow-twitch muscles (known to most people as “dark meat”), washed down with iced tea in early fall or hot tea in late fall.

What would be the title of your autobiography?

To be honest, writing a book-length summary of my life would be a poor use of my time.

Performing at the Seattle Science Festival (2012)
Performing at the Seattle Science Festival (2012)

What is the first concert you attended?

The first big-name artist I ever saw live was New Kids on the Block, circa 1990.  I swear it was my younger sister’s idea.

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

Believe it or not, I write lots of little songs about A&P material to help teach this material to my students.  I often write song lyrics while running, thus combining two hobbies into one.

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

I recently read “The Core Concepts of Physiology” by Joel Michael and colleagues, which is a nice little book about how to help students learn the big ideas rather than making them memorize endless facts.  I also just listened to an audiobook of “The Circle” by Dave Eggers, which may have been too satirical for my taste.  I preferred the movie, in which the characters were more realistic.

What one food do you wish had zero calories?

I consume an alarming amount of peanut butter, so maybe that.

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

I grew up in Rutland, Vermont until hopping across the state border for undergraduate studies at Williams College in Massachusetts.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Probably still in Shuksan 118.  Is this a trick question?

What do you like to do on your days off?

Running a cross-country race (2013)
Running a cross-country race (2013)

I have two sons, one who is nearly 11 years old and one who is only 7 months old, so I can usually be found with them and my wife. We try to get out and do stuff, but sometimes the highlight of my weekend is a long nap.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?

As someone whose main teaching topic is the human body, I try to advocate for healthy habits such as regular exercise.  When people hear that I run a lot, they often say, with a guilty sigh, “Yeah, I should really run more….”  To which I generally respond, “No!  If you don’t enjoy running, find another physical activity that you actually like, and do that!”

Behind the Resume #34 – Garet Studer

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 Athletics, and my job is to work with coaches to ensure that we are serving, educating, and developing the 160+ student athletes across 11 different men’s and women’s sports here on the EvCC campus.

Top of Hamilton Mountain in the Columbia Gorge-2,400′

Tell us a little about your professional background.
I began coaching and teaching PE classes at Clark College right after grad school. I then transitioned into the role of the fitness center manager and intramural director, which was fantastic because I got to play soccer and flag football for an hour a couple days a week, and it was a part of my job! After nearly 5 years at Clark I had the opportunity to get back into Inter-Collegiate athletics, which is where my passion lies, and I began serving as the Director of Operations for the Northwest Athletic Conference. This is the same conference in which EvCC competes athletically. I learned a tremendous amount about how the league operates, and how to ultimately best serve our student athletes. While in this role, I actually visited EvCC several times for the NWAC championship men’s and women’s basketball tournament, and came to thoroughly enjoy the campus and the people here.

NWAC Exec. Director Marco Azurdia and I with the MLS Cup (though it was after the Sounders won last season)

What was your most memorable job? Why?
I’ve had a lot of great memories in the different jobs I’ve had over the years, but I think my very first real job in high school & college working summers painting houses taught me a lot about work ethic, serving others, and fiscal management. Those early experiences laid the foundation for who I became in my professional career.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Family supporting me at a 2015 Spartan Race

There is no such thing as a typical day, and that is what I love about my job. Each day presents new opportunities and challenges. I might spend the whole day at my desk, or out on the field. I work closely with coaches helping students to accomplish their athletic and educational goals.

 

Describe yourself at 10 years old.
I was a pretty quiet kid, and absolutely loved sports. However at that time, I think I was more interested in becoming a veterinarian when I grew up. When I learned that I would have to give animals shots, I quickly changed my mind and thought of some other things that would better suit me.

 

Last winter’s snow storm (Everett and his cousin)

What is your favorite meal/ snack in summer? Favorite summer beverage?
I’m a big fan of iced tea, and really love just getting outside and barbequing.

 

Favorite summer vacation spot?
As a kid my family took a lot of trips to Bend, Oregon. I love all the outdoors activities there, hiking, white water rafting, biking, golf, the list goes on. Truly a beautiful place, and I love going there still as an adult.

 

Me golfing at NWAC Hall of Fame Golf Tournament in Dallas, OR.

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
I am working on my golf game. Still a work in progress…

 

Where is your hometown? Were you born and raised in the same place?
I was born and raised in Battle Ground, WA and lived there through graduation, and even bought my first house just outside of Battle Ground, in Ridgefield, WA.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I see myself at Everett CC, with one of the most respected athletic programs in the Northwest Athletic Conference.

Everett and I trying new hairstyles

What do you like to do on your days off?
My days off are always family time. My wife and I have a 2.5 year old son, and he is absolutely the highlight of our lives. We like to get outside and explore new things so in not being from around this area, we will do A LOT of exploring.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?

With my wife, Joy, and son, Everett on a hike


I have so many favorite quotes, most coming from the great John Wooden. I would say one of my favorites is to “Make each day your masterpiece.” I think we all have goals and aspirations, but so often we see those goals as so far out there and at times unobtainable. But if we do one thing each day, using each day to move a little closer to where we want to go, then ultimately we will get there.

 

Joy and I at Timbers Game (yes I am a Timbers fan, sorry Sounders)

Behind the Resume #32 – Sean Gehrke

sean-gehrkeWhat 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 #20 – Stephanie Coxon

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

Administrative Assistant 4 – Student Services (Dean’s Administrative Assistant) to Laurie Franklin.

 

Tell us a little about your professional background.

I worked in Retail for 7 years in order to put myself through college.  After college, I went into Banking for 2 years, worked for 3 years in Social Work, held Administrative Assistant roles for 13 years, and most recently was a Human Resources Generalist for 3 years.

What was your first job?Picture courtesy of: http://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/canoe

I was 13 and had an all-summer babysitting/mother’s helper job watching a 2 year-old boy while his parents were landscaping and remodeling their summer cabin at the lake. I canoed to work every day!

Riley - our Chocolate Lab
Riley – our Chocolate Lab

 

What does a typical day look like for you?

Work, make dinner, spend time with my husband, play with our dog.

Describe yourself at 10 years old.

I was a kid that was outside as much as I could be.  I’d be playing Little League softball, basketball, swimming, fishing, climbing trees, making forts, traveling with my family during summer vacation (I think that year it was a road trip to down Highway 101 to Oregon’s Sea Lion Caves, The Wharf in San Francisco, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea World and Tijuana, Mexico).

What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Caffeine!

Are you messy or organized?

I am organized at work – I have the 5S Lean Principles ingrained in me from past manufacturing and aerospace companies I have worked for.  However, at home, not as much…I try but life gets in the way.

What is the most important/valuable thing you have learned in the last five years?

Don’t sweat the small stuff.  – You won’t remember it 5 years from now.

Mariner's Game
Mariner’s Game

What’s on your bucket list?

Go to the Grand Canyon and to see a Mariner’s Spring Training game in Peoria, AZ

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

Reading, fishing, cooking.

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

Last book I re-read was Saving Cascadia by John J. Nance.  The story takes place on the Washington Coast.  I also love True Crime.  Ann Rule is my favorite author; I had the opportunity to meet her at a book signing.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? Why?

Maybe not a specific event, but I would love to visit the Age of Enlightenment.  So many extraordinary thinkers and doers!

Haleakala in Maui
Haleakala in Maui, 2011

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

Arlington, WA – Born and raised in the same place.

How many homes have you lived in since you were born?   

4 homes and 1 college dormitory

If your life were a book, what would it be titled?

Not sure.  I am still writing the chapters in my “book”.  When writing, I have always had the inspiration for a title to come to me when I finished.

Do you have a favorite quote/ piece of advice?

The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Pearl Harbor, Oahu, 2011
Pearl Harbor, Oahu, 2011