Tag: higher ed

Behind the Resume #2 – Bilal Abdallah

Bilal

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 the Director of Workforce Funding: As a Director, I provide leadership and manage the day-to-day operation of Financial Referral Center and WorkFirst. The two departments, which I currently supervise, encompass Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant, Basic Food Employment and Training (BFE&T), WorkFirst, Emergency Book Loan and the Job Center.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

As a child, I developed a strong interest for the criminal justice system because I was fascinated by the T.V show Criminal Law. Based on my interest with the show, I then oriented myself to pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of Washington. Upon graduating from the University of Washington, I realized that a career in the criminal justice system was not my passion and that’s when my career took a turn toward the educational field. Eventually, I went back to school and received my Masters of Education from the University of Washington. I have a very diverse career path! I jump-started my career an early age with East African Community as Educational Engagement Personnel. In this role, I tutored the after school homework club children with their homework including Reading, Writing and Math then Employment Specialist with Center Career Alternative, then a Career Counselor with Asian Counseling Referral Services, then a Workforce Project Manager with Green River College, and now here Everett Community College as the Director of Workforce Funding.

What was your first job?

Educational Engagement with East African Community Services. I tutored kids with their homework in Reading, Writing and Math. Part of this position required me to confer with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators and other professionals to discuss the children’s progress and resolve resolve problems.

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

I commute to work by car and my favorite radio station is Movin’ 92.5 FM. My commute is long, approximately an hour and a half, so I like to keep my mind occupied with upbeat music and sometimes documentary-style radio.Bilal Abdallah

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

My goals/ ambitions in my position at EvCC is to foster the economic growth in the region by leveraging all Workforce and Financial Referral Center Funds (internal and external) to provide high quality and cost effective training solutions to Everett Community College’ students. Because of my professional experience, I bring a unique perspective and an enthusiastic spirit to this position. I’m excited to see what the future holds!

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

I enjoy watching sports on TV, and definitely rooting for the Husky Football team – Go Dawgs!

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

Currently, I’m reading workforce policy.

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

Give everything at your very best and eliminate excuses. I believe this is something that everyone can do!

Behind the Resume #1 – Chayuda Overby

Hello! Welcome to Admini{sphere}. We’re glad you stopped by!

We’re kicking things off by introducing one of our newest team members, Chayuda Overby. Take some time to get to know Chayuda, through her own words!

Chayuda 3 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 for the BRIDGES Center. My day-to-day priorities are to serve students’ needs, empower them, and build students’ sense of self -efficacy through the BRIDGES’ programs. As a director of the BRIDGES Center I cherish our mission: helping non-native English learners and at- risk students find their way to careers in healthcare, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. Our BRIDGES team endeavors to help students as they learn to navigate the college system from inside and outside the classroom through the point when they start their post-college career. I feel rewarded every day knowing how our team supports student success.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

I bring a clear mission and passion for working with underrepresented students. I know I can have a high impact with students who lack a lot of social capital and come from low socioeconomic backgrounds who need help navigating higher education. I was inspired by myChayuda Overby mother who taught low-income students for 30 years. Growing up in a house where the conversation around the dinner table was about students, teaching pedagogies, and creating gracious space for communities has enabled me to thrive in this profession. I started working in higher education nine years ago in the Student Services division at Highline College in Des Moines, Washington. My work involved supporting students through Counseling, Running Start and High School programs, Multicultural Services, and Student Life. I continued to serve students in the Master Achiever Center (MAC) at Green River Community College to support students as they transitioned from Basic Skills to college programs. I am fortunate to have experienced working for both the Student Services and Instruction divisions.

What was your first job?

I was an English tutor – believe it or not! My first student is now studying at King’s College in London earning her Master in Business Administration!

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

I live in SeaTac so my commute is pretty unbelievable (yes, it is). I listen to NPR when I need to feel like I am learning and catching up with the world. However, I like to listen to a show called “The Second Date Update” on 92.5 in the morning. It doesn’t require a lot of neural activity, but it sure makes me laugh and helps me relax when traffic is bad.

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

My ambition is to make sure that the BRIDGES Center serves more students in transitioning to college through the services we provide inside and outside the classroom. My personal ambition is to create a community of trust and authenticity for our students and to bring their identities, cultures, and languages to campus. I am a strong advocate for creating a place where students can haChayudave a sense of belonging, reflect who they are, and take ownership of the campus.

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

My Free time is to connect to my spiritual healing through world travel and yoga. The photo below was when I traveled to my favorite place – Uppsala, Sweden.

I enjoy my regular practice of hot yoga, where I always find my spirit is uplifted. Chayuda 2

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

My Title III report! The last book I read was called “Let Your Life Speak” by Parker J. Palmer (Author of The Courage to Teach).

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

You get what you give!

My grandfather was a mayor of a small village in Thailand. He always shared his wisdom through the action of “giving without expecting.” I witnessed his generosity – his genuine giving heart – and what he got was pure love from people.