Dear Colleagues,
It was a very busy week on campus. Tuesday, in particular, was a day filled with high-profile visits, starting with a visit by a group from the Washington STEM Summit at Microsoft, followed by an afternoon visit to campus by Governor Inslee (more on both below). I think this photo Jim Howe took on Tuesday right before the Governor’s visit summed up the day. It truly was a double rainbow kind of day!
I’ve said this before, but I want to reiterate again that the work we are doing at the LWTech is being noticed far and wide. We are holding steady in enrollment, more and more of you are serving on committees throughout the system, and we continue to look at new programs, and ways to better serve our students and community.
Thank you for all of your contributions to the college. The heightened awareness of the college is because of the work you do, day in and day out for our students and community.
Now, for news from around the college:
External Engagement
Kirkland City Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 20th I attended the Kirkland City Council meeting to ask for the City Council’s approval to rezone the campus to allow for the possibility of employee housing, should funding become available.
State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) Long-Term Strategic Advocacy Task Force Conference Call
Also Tuesday, I called into the SBCTC Long-Term Strategic Advocacy Task Force meeting. We discussed, SBCTC’s response to the draft advocacy and communications plan, upcoming message and advocacy training, and next steps.
Lunch with Dr. Amit Singh, President of Edmonds Community College
Monday, I had lunch with my new colleague, Dr. Amit Singh, President of Edmonds Community College. Edmonds and LWTech are part of a five college consortium that works closely together on human resources, legislative, technology and instructional issues.
Washington STEM Summit Visit to Campus
Tuesday morning, I was pleased to briefly welcome roughly 40 community members from across the state to campus as part of the annual Washington STEM Summit. Dr. Suzy Ames adds, “They represent private sector companies, K-12, higher education and non-profit organizations. LWTech is one of a few regional tours that participants could choose from to see STEM education in action. Last year was LWTech’s first-year hosting a tour, and we were asked back due to popular demand. This year, we highlighted our hands-on learning in the Dental Hygiene Clinic, Engineering Classroom, and Digital Gaming & Interactive Media Motion Capture Studio.”
Thank you to the following volunteers who helped make this event happen: Dr. Suzy Ames, Trista Bender, Stephanie Bostwick, Melissa Curtis, Doug Emory, Scarlet Kendrick, Elena Kirkegaard, Mike Potter, Dr. Elliot Stern, Phil Trumbo, and Tatyana Zasypinka.
Governor Inslee Visit to Campus
Tuesday afternoon, I was pleased to welcome Governor Inslee back to campus. Trustee Anne Hamilton, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges Executive Director, Jan Yoshiwara, several members of the Governor’s staff, and LWTech faculty and staff were on-hand to observe the discussion.
The Governor met with several students for a roundtable discussion to talk about their experiences, especially in conjunction with his Career Connect Washington initiative. I owe a tremendous amount of thanks to our students who shared their stories with the Governor: Gage Wollman, Natalie Alvis, Tevin Wright, Ellienn Shouse, Cole Galino, Sloane Hunt, Pablo Bautista, and Virginia King.
Thank you to our faculty and staff who were instrumental in identifying students to participate in the roundtable discussion, researched available classes that were in session while he was on campus, arranged for class visits, coordinated the visit logistics with the Governor’s office, baked cookies, and visually captured the visit: Heather DeGraw, Vicki Chew, Dr. Ruby Hayden, April Ake, Leslie Shattuck, Sara Chandler, Janet Waters, Anthony Bowers, Michael Richmond, Michelle Berry, Sarah Mason, Greg Weyer, Sheila Walton, GG Flint, and the Facilities and Campus Security teams.
Joint Higher Ed Letter on Campus Sexual Violence
Earlier this month, the Council of President’s, Independent Colleges of Washington, the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, on behalf of our state’s four-year universities and community and technical colleges issued a letter to reaffirm our commitment to addressing campus sexual violence. The statement begins with, “Our country is currently in the midst of difficult but important conversations about sexual harassment and violence. As leaders of Washington’s 50 major public and private, not-for-profit colleges and universities, we reaffirm our commitment to the safety of our students, faculty, and staff and to creating an inclusive educational environment where every student has the opportunity to be successful.” We are concerned that there may be efforts nationally to undermine Title IX rules.
Technical College Presidents Letter to Governor Inslee
Earlier this week, the five technical college presidents from Bellingham, LWTech, Renton, Bates, and Clover Park sent a letter to Governor Inslee asking that he strongly consider continuing his past practice of ensuring that technical college classified employees receive the same cost of living adjustment (COLA) amount as community college classified employees. As I have said before, competitive compensation for all employees is the top priority this next legislative session.
College Community
Year-End All-Staff Meeting
It was so nice to see so many of you at the year-end All-Staff Meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Thank you Elisabeth Sorensen and Dr. Ruby Hayden for sharing information about the Student Emergency Fund, GG Flint for updating us on Holiday Helpers, and Meena Park for helping me celebrate our latest group of retiring faculty and staff: Professor Michael Clifton, Machine Technology (21 years), Associate Dean, TRiO; Dr. Patricia Hunter (13 years); Instructional Support Technician, Academic Skills Center, Elly Meikle (22 years); and Manager, Purchasing Services, Gordon Funai (4 years). Thank you all for your years of service to the college.
Cabinet Connection
Executive Cabinet (Cabinet) held our weekly meeting, on Tuesday. Cabinet continued discussion around draft values, as well as providing updates from their departments. Cabinet is comprised of our senior leadership that represents each area of the college and includes: myself, Dr. Suzy Ames, Cathy Copeland, Dr. Ruby Hayden, Andrea Olson, Meena Park, Leslie Shattuck, Elisabeth Sorensen, Dr. Elliot Stern, and Bill Thomas.
Walkabout Wednesday
Thank you to those who joined me on Walkabout Wednesday. It was nice to walk and talk with you.
Next week, in lieu of Walkabout Wednesday, I’ll hold my last Active Listening Roundtable of the calendar year from 11:00am-12:00pm in W305A. Please feel free to bring your lunch, and join me to talk about whatever is on your mind as we wrap up 2018!
Meeting with Federation of Teachers President Jim Howe
Wednesday, I met with faculty member and Federation of Teachers (Federation) president Jim Howe. Jim and I meet regularly to discuss the latest news from the members of the Federation. I appreciate and value the relationship I have with Jim and our Federation members.
LWTech Foundation Board Meeting
Today, I will attend the LWTech Foundation’s Board Meeting, along with Board of Trustees Chair, Darrell Mitsunaga, and Vice Chair, Laura Wildfong. I am looking forward to talking with the Foundation Board about our College’s Strategic Plan as the Foundation begins to develop its first strategic plan.
Meeting with Trustees Darrell Mitsunaga, and Laura Wildfong
Following the Foundation Board meeting, I will meet with Board of Trustees Chair, Darrell Mitsunaga, and Vice Chair, Laura Wildfong to update them on various activities going on at the college. I appreciate the opportunity to meet with our Trustees between Board meetings.
Ask Amy
Don’t forget, if you have any questions about an item in my Update, something you are hearing around campus, or a question about why we do what we do here, please send me an email. Chances are if you are wondering about something, others are as well. I’ll strive to answer your questions in my Update and I will leave out your name as well if you’d like me to do so.
Student Achievement
Medical Assisting Pinning
Wednesday, I was pleased to attend the Medical Assisting Pinning Ceremony. Congratulations to these graduates and the faculty and staff who worked closely with them during their time at LWTech.
Upcoming Events
December Board of Trustees Meeting
The next Board of Trustees meeting will be on Monday, December 10th from 12:00pm-2:30pm. I invite you to attend Board of Trustees meetings to see our Trustees in action as they provide leadership through policy governance of the College. As a reminder, all Board of Trustees meetings are open to the public, and the college community is always welcome.
Good News to Share
Thank you Facilities Team
Thank you to our fabulous Facilities team who prepared for two high-profile events on our campus on Tuesday, with the Washington-STEM and Governor Inslee visits, and our All-Staff meeting. They set up (and took down) all room set-ups for the events, in addition to cleaning carpets, and blowing leaves (at 6:00am), among many other things. It was a very busy day, and you made our campus shine!
Thank you Ahmad Bennett
April Ake would like to publicly acknowledge Ahmad Bennett. “Did you know that each Thursday he offers HOT meals in the Vet Center?” See more on how this service started, below in Dr. Hayden’s acknowledgments.
“In addition to the DEN project through Student Program and the Vet Center’s food pantry, Ahmad has been adding hot meals like soups available on Thursdays. This is such a wonderful service that goes above and beyond. I’d love to help the Vet Center continue this tradition by remembering to donate easy-to-make foods and/or hot dishes on Thursdays throughout the year. I hope others will consider joining Ahmad in this modest but powerful student pick-me-up. Thank you, Ahmad, for giving so much of yourself to our students here. I see you and appreciate you!”
Dr. Ruby Hayden would like to recognize the following team members:
- Kayla Hodges (Vet Corps student in CEVSS) who was the inspiration (and owner of the Instapot) behind Thursday hot meals in the CEVSS (see above). If you have not yet met Kayla, she is a powerful force in service to others and as Ahmad Bennet said, “Kayla’s presence is healing and adds value in the Vet Center. Just when you think you have seen it all, someone reminds you how to show up for yourself.”
- Jayne Heyde for bringing an artistic, community of belonging event to the West 207 area last week. She brought oranges and cloves for folks to make their own Pomander Balls. Not only did it make the area smell wonderful, but a group of us spent a few minutes as a community creating something beautiful. Please check out the attached photo.
Ruby would also like to share Meisha Wangerin’s thank you email to all who helped with the recent mini open house event that was held on November 17th. “Last Saturday the Baking Arts and Culinary Arts departments hosted the first ever Mini Open House event that was specifically meant to highlight the Baking and Culinary programs. The biscuit baking class was a great opportunity to share LWTech with our community members and educate them about the baking and culinary programs that we offer. We had 15 community members attend this inaugural event!
I would like to offer a huge THANK YOU to everyone that helped to make this event a success!! This event would not have been possible without the hard work from: Janet Waters, Mimi Stockman, Tami Harris, Casey Melnrick, Mary Powers, LWTech Baking Arts students, The LWTech Foundation, the LWTech Facilities Department!!
We look forward to offering similar events for the community in the future! Thank you again to everyone for your hard work!!!”
Casey Melnrick adds, “I just want to reiterate what a great job Meisha and the Baking and Culinary faculty did with this event. It looked amazing, and I couldn’t have been happier with the reception of an event like this. Thank you to them all for creating and hosting this event!”
If you have good news to share, I’d love to hear it. Please email your good news to me by Monday of each week.
Amy
Dr. Amy Morrison Goings | President
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