Southwestern Board meets three new employees

The Southwestern Oregon Community College Board of Education was introduced to three new College employees at its regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 26.

Vice President of Instruction and Student Services Dr. Stephen Schoonmaker introduced VISTA Volunteer Joyce Fletcher and Oregon Coast Culinary Institute Recruitment, Advising and Retention Specialist Jaime Peck to the Board, and Director of Integrated Technology Services Kat Flores introduced Application Analyst and Training Specialist Dawn Richardson.

Fletcher comes to Southwestern with an extensive volunteer background that includes working as a group counselor for girls in Fresno, Calif., and at Bridges Advocacy in North Bend. She also has served as a mentor and game facilitator for residents at Baycrest Memorial Care and currently is a board member in the Coos County Retired and Senior Volunteers Program. The Oregon Campus Compact Americorps VISTA program was established in 2006 through a partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Compact – a statewide network of college and university presidents committed to the civic mission of higher education – recently launched the program to promote civic engagement and service learning on member campuses. Eight VISTA volunteers have been placed at campuses around the state.

Peck joined OCCI in January after earning her associate’s degree in Human Services from Southwestern and a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy & Administration from Western Oregon University last fall. During her professional internship Peck worked at Southwestern under Internship Coordinator Tom Bennett, gaining the opportunity to interact with students and research a number of areas including community partnerships, recruitment efforts and student challenges.

Richardson has extensive experience as a Programmer Analyst and Trainer for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Detroit, where over 14 years she gained extensive experience working in the capacities of systems developer, business analyst, systems liaison and utilization management specialist. She also has experience as a document and training specialist. Richardson holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and is learning the data systems she will be supporting.

Press Release Date: February 26, 2007