by Elsa Gossett | Jun 17, 2019 | Amy's Update
2019 Commencement Special Edition I know you’ve heard from me many times how much I love commencement. Saturday’s commencement was no exception. What a truly joyful celebration. The happiness expressed by our students will stay with me for years to come. The speeches were so thoughtful, and showed the connection each speaker has to the college, and our students. Thank you Meisha Wangerin for singing a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem. Tom Abbott, Niloufar Mirhashemi, Robert V. Taylor, and Clara Hollin, thank you for your inspiring words. Dr. Suzy Ames, thank you for your thoughtful recognition of our graduates, and thank you Dr. Ruby Hayden for your work, and the incredible work of your team, for creating a truly memorable event. I’m so proud of the Community of Belonging and spirit of Ubuntu we’ve created at LWTech. The commencement ceremony would not have been possible without the leadership of Sheila Walton. Thank you Sheila for leading this effort, which takes a year to plan. Thank you to our team of amazing volunteers: Asma Abdulrahman, Lisa Anderson, Ahmad Bennett, Demetra Biros, Tisha Miller, Lauren Heller, Mony Loeum, Lynne Szymanski, Kaytlyn Hoch, Jayne Heyde, Hamza Abdulrahman, Noah DuPont, Vicki Chew, Omar Fadiel, GG Flint, April Ake, and Vikki Korsunskaya. Thank you to our Student Staff Pablo Bautista, Cole Galino, Sloane Hunt, Ellienn Tatar, Virginia King, Audrey Tchayep, Sage Abplanalp, Brianna Ramos, Tia Garrison, Cathy He, Nathan Nguyen, Rana Hestley, Foram Joshi, Bree Olsson, Niru Thapa, Seymor Tran, Jamie Wong, and Kindred Harvey. Thank you to the Student Programs team for putting together nearly 350 diploma covers, handing out over 150...
by Elsa Gossett | Jun 14, 2019 | Amy's Update
Dear Colleagues, Tomorrow is one of my favorite days at the college as we celebrate the academic accomplishments of our students at Commencement. Thank you for supporting our students from the very beginning, and for being there for them, each step along their educational journey at LWTech. You’ve positively impacted their lives and the lives of their families. I continue to be humbled and proud to be working alongside you. I look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow at Meydenbauer Center. For those of you heading into break, either between quarters or for the summer, enjoy your time off. For those of you who will be here next week, I look forward to seeing you on campus then. Now, for news from around the college: External Engagement Oregon Institute of Technology to Visit LWTech As I mentioned in last week’s Update, Monday, Dr. Suzanne Ames, Mike Potter, Jamilyn Penn, Doug Emory, Dr. Craig Zupke, and Stephanie Bostwick and I met with the Provost, Associate Provost, Dean of Engineering, the faculty Lead, and Dean of Health, Arts and Sciences from the Oregon Institute of Technology. College Community Cabinet Connection Executive Cabinet (Cabinet) held our weekly meeting on Tuesday. In addition to Cabinet members sharing news from their departments, we met with the team of International Programs and Global Education. Cabinet is comprised of our senior leadership that represents each area of the college and in addition to me, includes: Dr. Suzanne Ames, Cathy Copeland, Dr. Ruby Hayden, Andrea Olson, Meena Park, Leslie Shattuck, Elisabeth Sorensen, and Bill Thomas. End of Year All-Staff Meeting and Awards/Retirees Celebration Yesterday, we celebrated...
by Elsa Gossett | Jun 6, 2019 | Amy's Update
Dear Colleagues, We are in the home stretch of the academic year — celebrations and pinning events have begun, and commencement is a week from Saturday. As our students are working on their final projects and preparing for, and taking, finals, this can be a stressful time on campus, not just for them, but also for you. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our students. Thank you for being there for each other when you’re tired and when times are stressful. We continue to build and strengthen our Community of Belonging, and for that, I’m grateful. I am also incredibly grateful that our Board of Trustees extended my contract through 2024. Serving as your colleague and president continues to be my dream job and I have a multi-year list of plans to work on! I am looking forward to wrapping up my sixth year with you next week at the All-Staff meeting and of course Commencement. Thank you for being such great colleagues, I truly enjoy working with you each and every day. I have also included my goals for the year ahead that were approved by the Board of Trustees at Monday’s meeting. Now, for more news from around the college: External Engagement Imagine Housing Grand Opening Tuesday, I attended the grand opening of Imagine Housing’s new development, 30Bellevue. They describe their work as: “Imagine Housing is the leading affordable housing provider in East King County. We specialize in providing permanent apartment homes for low income seniors, veterans, families and people exiting homelessness.” This was a very impressive undertaking and I am inspired to continue to explore...
by Elsa Gossett | May 31, 2019 | Amy's Update
Dear Colleagues, I recently shared with my five bosses (the Board of Trustees) that as part of my own professional development, I would like to continue my own work around equity, diversity and inclusion. As part of my professional development, I recently attended the White Privilege Symposium at Highline College, and earlier this week I attended the National Conference for Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE) in Portland, along with many of my colleagues at the college (more on that below). Formed in 1961, the Southwest Center is devoted to the study, understanding, and resolution of human conflict and to promoting understanding and cooperation among people of different racial, ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds. One of the major programs of the Southwest Center is the Annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE), which serves as the leading national forum on issues of race and ethnicity in American higher education.” It is important to me, as your colleague and president, that I continue to learn and grow alongside all of you in the work of equity, diversity, and inclusion. On another note, I am including a survey that I could really use your help with around your housing needs and wants. We are continuing to assess future housing options and I could really use your feedback. The survey link is below and it will only take a few moments. Thank you again. Now, for news from around the college: External Engagement National Conference for Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE) I got back from NCORE yesterday where I spent two days listening,...
by Elsa Gossett | May 24, 2019 | Amy's Update
Dear Colleagues, I know how challenging it can be working full-time while earning your degree. Many of you have been going to school while working at LWTech. If you’ve completed your degree during this academic year, I’d love to know about it. What did you get your degree in and from where? I would like to celebrate your accomplishments in an upcoming Amy’s Update. All you have to do is send me an email with your information by Friday, May 31st. Now, for news from around the college: External Engagement Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges (WACTC) Operating Budget Conference Call. Monday afternoon, I participated in a WACTC Operating Budget Committee call, where the presidents voted on how the system will allocate the new legislative funding approved during the 2019 Legislative session. The State Board are scheduled to approve the 2019-20 allocation schedule on Tuesday. More to come. Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) Board Meeting I was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the WITA. Thursday, I attended my first board meeting as a director. As I’ve shared with you before, LWTech and the WTIA have a long relationship, and you may recall that WTIA CEO, Michael Schutzler was our commencement speaker last year. I appreciate the opportunity to serve on this board comprised of technology industry leaders. College Community Board of Trustees Annual Retreat and Monthly Meeting Monday, Executive Cabinet and I joined the Board of Trustees for their annual retreat, which was followed by their regular Board meeting. The retreat included discussions about their goals, my goals, a budget overview, and planning for next...
by Elsa Gossett | May 17, 2019 | Amy's Update
Dear Colleagues, There’s certainly a different energy on campus during Spring quarter as the end of the academic year gets closer. Being just about a month away from commencement, the end-of-the-year celebrations have already begun. This week, I was pleased to participate in the Dean’s and President’s List reception, and the TRiO annual end-of-year celebration (see specifics on both below). I continue to be so proud of our students and all they accomplish. Your energy and dedication to their success is undeniable. Thank you! Now, for news from around the college: External Engagement Seattle Goodwill Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday, I participated in the Seattle Goodwill Board of Directors meeting. I appreciate the opportunity to serve on this board with other community-focused business leaders from the Seattle area. Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges (WACTC) Operating Budget Conference Call. Yesterday, I participated in a WACTC Operating Budget Committee call, where we focused on allocation decisions. The system is getting closer to sorting out how to allocate new legislative funding approved during the 2019 Legislative session. The presidents vote Monday and the State Board will approve the 2019-20 allocation schedule shortly thereafter. College Community Cabinet Connection Executive Cabinet (Cabinet) held our weekly meeting on Tuesday. Cabinet members shared news from their departments. In addition to our weekly Cabinet meeting, yesterday, Cabinet, and Anthony Bowers met with Deb Casey from Green River College to go through specific Clery Act training. For those of you unfamiliar with the Clery Act, according to the Clery Center, “The Clery Act is a consumer protection law that aims to provide transparency around campus crime...
by Elsa Gossett | May 10, 2019 | Amy's Update
Dear Colleagues, This was a very positive week, with high points for me being our All Staff meeting and the LWTech Foundation Scholarship Reception. At Wednesday’s All-Staff meeting, we celebrated a historic re-investment in our community and technical college system. We have worked in earnest to demonstrate our immense worth to our students, industry, and labor. I am beyond pleased that the 2019 Legislature stepped up in a big way to affirm how valuable we are to the State of Washington. Your diligent work contributed to this huge legislative win, so please take stock and be proud of your efforts, and of this college. I know I sure am. Also, thanks to all who advised and registered students for Summer and Fall quarters as part of advising day. This is a college-wide effort to make sure our current students have all of the information they need to register for their next quarter, and for new students to see and understand the full breadth of our programs and support services. It’s a very busy time on campus and you continue to go above and beyond to ensure the success of our students. Thank you for all you do each day for our students, the college, and each other. Now, for news from around the college: External Engagement Monthly Corporate Continuing Education Center (CCEC)-Eastside Meeting Yesterday, I met with John Bonner, VP of Corporate and Workforce Training for CCEC, and Dr. Eric Murray, President of Cascadia College, for our monthly CCEC-Eastside update meeting College Community Tuesday, I joined members of Executive Cabinet, the deans, and members of our college community as...
by Elsa Gossett | May 1, 2019 | Amy's Update
Dear Colleagues, There is quite a bit going on across campus, it is very clear to me that we are in full swing of spring quarter. It’s great to see the sunshine and many of you around campus! With that said, here is a quick executive update and then more below. First, a legislative update: Last weekend, the Legislature came through for our system in a big way, passing a dedicated revenue bill for public higher education that is funding salary increases, the State Need Grant (now Washington College Grant), Guided Pathways, etc. While we were working hard on this legislation throughout the session, it did not come to pass until 4:00 am Sunday morning (the last day of session)! Therefore, we (and the State Board) are still digesting and localizing the impact of this budget. More to come on the (positive) impacts at LWTech at next week’s All Staff meeting on Tuesday March 7 at 1:30 pm in W401. I will also walk through the capital budget and the Career Connect Washington and PSTAA legislation that also passed. Colleagues, we have turned a substantial corner this session. I look forward to sharing more details with you next week. Second, follow-up on the Mock Accreditation Visit: I would like to thank many of you for organizing and participating in the Mock Accreditation Visit on April 19th. Cabinet is going to review the feedback next week and then I’ll share with you in next week’s Update. I am confident our early dedicated work to this process will pay off with a productive visit in October. Third, wonderful news coverage: I...
by Elsa Gossett | Apr 26, 2019 | Amy's Update
Dear Colleagues, Thank you to all of you who participated in our In-Service with Robert Taylor workshop last week (more specific information below). I want to reiterate that Executive Cabinet and I are fully committed to creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and sustainable community of belonging at LWTech. As I mentioned, our efforts didn’t end last week, they will continue as we dive deeper in this work, and we do this in partnership and collaboration with you. Now, for news from around the college: External Engagement Interview with Samantha Pak, Kirkland Reporter Wednesday, 4/17, before the potluck, Robert Taylor and I sat down with the editor of the Kirkland Reporter newspaper, Samantha Pak to talk about our equity, diversity, and inclusion, and community of belonging work going on at the college. Thank you to Leslie Shattuck for pitching this story to the editor, and coordinating the interviews. State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) Legislative Updates Friday, 4/19, I participated in the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges (WACTC) Legislative Conference Call. As a reminder, the SBCTC is providing weekly legislative updates. Be sure to check back each week for the latest information from the current session. Meeting with Jason Schrage, Senior VP, Bay Valve Monday, 4/22 Michael Richmond and I met with Jason Schrage, the Senior VP from Bay Valve. Jason toured the Welding and Machining labs. Thank you to Michael Richmond, Sarah Mason, Steven Weaver, and Dr. Suzy Ames for leading the tour of our labs and showcasing the work of our students. Washington Association of Community and Technical College (WACTC) President’s Meeting Tomorrow and...
by Elsa Gossett | Apr 17, 2019 | Amy's Update
Dear Colleagues, The focus of this week’s abbreviated edition of Amy’s Update is on three internal events coming up later this week: The Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Council (EDIC)-Sponsored Community Potluck, In-Service with Robert Taylor on Wednesday and our Mock Accreditation Visit on Friday. EDIC-Sponsored Community Potluck The EDIC is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Community Potluck on Wednesday, April 17th, from 11:30am-1:00pm, in the cafeteria. This will take place right before our In-Service Workshop with Robert Taylor, and Robert will be joining us for the potluck. Please sign up with the dish you are planning to bring. There’s also an opportunity for you to share information about the cultural history of your dish, along with the recipe, that will be shared in a digital cookbook. You can also look up what your colleagues are planning to bring. In Service with Robert Taylor Thank you for your engagement at the March 7th In-Service workshop with Robert Taylor, and for your feedback after. This Wednesday, April 17th we will work with Robert Taylor to continue our work to create a strong Community of Belonging. The college will once again be closed for this session. If you are on campus Wednesday (and being paid to do so) you are expected to be at this event. If we are to have a community of belonging it is essential that we all participate. I look forward to seeing you there. As a reminder, Robert asked us at the end of the last workshop to: Find an image that conveys your hopes for LWTech’s Community of Belonging. Identify one obstacle, that if addressed, would create a...
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