New Employee Spotlight – Fen Chen

We’d like to take a moment and recognize our newest employees to Green River. Please take a moment to learn more about them, in their own words.

Please tell everyone your new title and a little bit about your professional background.

Fen Chen

My new title is Instructional and Classroom Support Technician II for Chemistry and Physics. Prior to this position, I held the same title as a Technician I at Tacoma Community College. I’ve also worked at a Veterinary Tissue Bank and volunteered at the Tacoma General Hospital.

What drew you to apply to Green River?

I was drawn to the beautiful campus. I love that we’re basically a campus on a hiking trail.

On the car ride to work, what do you listen to?

I usually will keep changing stations until I find a song that I like. I sometimes end up spending more time changing stations than listening to music. But I generally listen to 106.1, 92.5, 93.3, 107.7, 98.9, and 106.9.

What was the very first job you ever had?

I started my first job working in the front counter of my family’s restaurant.

What about your new position is most exciting for you?

I’m most excited about working with my team to make Green River a great place for our students.

What is one thing you’d love to accomplish in your first year at Green River?

I’d love to work with our instructors and to help promote Green Chemistry in our labs, to reduce waste and substitute hazardous with non-hazardous reagents without affecting lab results.

What three accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?

The first accomplishment would be getting accepted into my dream school at UW and graduating with a Bachelor’s in Biology. Second would be getting my first job as a Chemistry Lab Technician after college. The last would be the house that I’m currently in the process of buying.

If your coworkers were to give you an office nickname, what would that be? Why?

I’ve never had an office nickname but my friends call me FenFen.

For Green River’s annual talent show (this doesn’t actually exist), what hidden talent would you showcase for everyone?

Everyone’s so talented at Green River, I don’t want to embarrass myself haha.

If G.R.E.E.N. were an acronym for something, what would each letter stand for?

Growth, Respect, Education, Encouragement, Nature

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Frontline: Helpful Hints and Tips

Our Employee Assistance Program continues to be a wonderful source of helpful information! This month’s EAP newsletter, Frontline, offers tips about a number of issues including:

• Gratitude
• To-do lists
• Positive thinking/attitudes
• Fitness ideas for the desk worker

Click the link below to take advantage of more ways to improve your work relationships and beyond!

EAP Newsletter

New Employee Spotlight – Shawn Warner

We’d like to take a moment and recognize our newest employees to Green River. Please take a moment to learn more about them, in their own words.

Please tell everyone your new title and a little bit about your professional background.

Shawn Warner

Financial Aid Program Coordinator

I’ve had a few different professional “lives” from customer service, to trainer, to chef and have always most enjoyed the chance to help others.

What drew you to apply to Green River?

I was drawn to Green River’s commitment to diversity across the board – its students, programs, and support.

On the car ride to work, what do you listen to?

I like to ease into the morning with classical music or jazz, or maybe get my brain working with a podcast.

What was the very first job you ever had?

My first job was as a counter salesperson and sometimes delivery driver for an auto parts store. I still don’t know why they trusted me to drive a company car.

What about your new position is most exciting for you?

I’m most excited about being able to act as a resource to students navigating the many parts of their academic careers. I hope to be able to help solve for their Financial Aid questions and needs so they can focus on the work of reaching their goals. I love the feeling of all of the potential that exists in a learning environment.

What is one thing you’d love to accomplish in your first year at Green River?

If I can help to alleviate stress or concerns for students and help them move forward, I will consider that a huge win. I’d love to also become better versed in all of the support programs available to help connect folks to resources whenever possible.

What three accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?

I’m most proud of the work I’ve done over the years teaching, training, or facilitating – helping others with their goals in some form. I was also pretty proud of my first decent croissant after taking a chance on a culinary school dream.

If your coworkers were to give you an office nickname, what would that be? Why?

I have never really had a nickname stick. The challenge has been created.

For Green River’s annual talent show (this doesn’t actually exist), what hidden talent would you showcase for everyone?

I’m an amateur singer – in the shower.

If G.R.E.E.N. were an acronym for something, what would each letter stand for?

Great team

Ready

Engaged

Enthusiastic

Now

New Employee Spotlight – Joshua Little

We’d like to take a moment and recognize our newest employees to Green River. Please take a moment to learn more about them, in their own words. 

Please tell everyone your new title and a little bit about your professional background.

Program Coordinator: Assessment and Testing

Before coming to Green River, I worked for Valley Cities, a mental and behavioral health organization. I was a part of a unique treatment program called Wraparound, which supports youth with complex needs. In my role as a Youth Peer, I provided support to youth to ensure their ‘voice’ was present in all decisions effecting them.

What drew you to apply to Green River?

I was drawn to apply to Green River College because I grew up not too far from the campus. Giving back to my community has been a guide in my career development so being able to support students in achieving their educational and career goals was an opportunity I could not pass up.

On the car ride to work, what do you listen to?

I love this question. Music is life for me. I listen to Hip-Hop/Rap mainly, but I also listen to some R&B, Indie, and Reggae. On my way to work today, I listened to some Lil Uzi, Curren$y, Gunna, Kodak, Berner, Dom Kennedy, and others. I have a long commute.

What was the very first job you ever had?

My very first job was at Burger King in Covington, WA. It has now been replaced with Chick-fil-A.

What about your new position is most exciting for you?

What is most exciting for me is simply working at the college. I want to develop a career in higher education, so being in this environment feels like a big step in my life. My plan is to become a psychology professor. I also look forward to interacting with students and helping them navigate their college career.

What is one thing you’d love to accomplish in your first year at Green River?

I would like to show my value to my coworkers, supervisors and most importantly the students.

What three accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?

Graduating college was a great accomplish of mine. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college.

I am also proud that I have had the opportunity to share my life story with young men to give them guidance and hope for their future.

I’m proud to be alive.

If your coworkers were to give you an office nickname, what would that be? Why?

Well my friends just call me J, L, or LJ. In my last office I worked with a lot of older ladies and they called me Joshy all the time. The nicknames my friends call me are just based off my initials. Joshy started from one of the ladies saying “I look like a Joshy”.

For Green River’s annual talent show (this doesn’t actually exist), what hidden talent would you showcase for everyone?

I would DJ for the event.

If G.R.E.E.N. were an acronym for something, what would each letter stand for?

Each letter would stand for one of my favorite artist.

G- Game

R- Raz Simone

E- E-40

E- Earl Sweatshirt

N- Nas

New Employee Spotlight – Arden Furukawa

We’d like to take a moment and recognize our newest employees to Green River. Please take a moment to learn more about them, in their own words.

Please tell everyone your new title and a little bit about your professional background.

New Title: Educational Planner for the Running Start Office

Professional Background:

Academic Advisor at Edmonds Community College

College & Career Specialist at Mariner High School

Regional Admissions Advisor at Eastern Washington University

What drew you to apply to Green River?

The academic programs, student support services, and resources that the college offers, along with the affordability of the courses.

The size and location of the college, and how beautiful the trees and greenery are that  surround the college campus.

The desire to stay within the community and technical college system, because of how strong the CTC system is in Washington.

On the car ride to work, what do you listen to?

• Adele
• Norah Jones
• Maroon Five
• Coldplay

What was the very first job you ever had?

Food server at a retirement home

What about your new position is most exciting for you?

Working with the Running Start students to accomplish their educational goals.

What is one thing you’d love to accomplish in your first year at Green River?

Increase persistence and degree completion with the Running Start students.

What three accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?

Earning my Bachelor’s degree in 2011, and being 3 months away from earning my Master’s degree. (Will earn it in June 2019)

Serving students in a variety of capacities in different professional and volunteer roles including an advisor, college & career specialist, student teacher, mentor, and parks & recreation volunteer.

Running over 130 races in my lifetime.

If your coworkers were to give you an office nickname, what would that be? Why?

Snacker, because I love to snack all day!

For Green River’s annual talent show (this doesn’t actually exist), what hidden talent would you showcase for everyone?

Traditional Filipino candle dance.

If G.R.E.E.N. were an acronym for something, what would each letter stand for?

Get Ready – Energize & Empower New students

 

New Employee Spotlight – Anna Kolesnikov

We’d like to take a moment and recognize our newest employees to Green River. Please take a moment to learn more about them, in their own words.  

Please tell everyone your new title and a little bit about your professional background.

Instructional & Classroom Support Technician 3. Wow that’s a mouth full, or simply a Lab Tech 3. I moved here from Florida last year, where I worked as a Chemistry Lab Supervisor for Valencia College.

What drew you to apply to Green River?

I’ve loved my job back in Florida and enjoyed working with students and professors. So this position at Green River College was available in the perfect moment for me to continue my work in the chemistry laboratories.

On the car ride to work, what do you listen to?

I like to listen to NPR news and Moving 92.5 morning show.

What was the very first job you ever had?

My first job as a 12 year old was a dog walker at Cascade Kennels.

What about your new position is most exciting for you?

The most exciting thing about my job is the team I get to work with. And maybe that fact that I can wear a white lab coat J

What is one thing you’d love to accomplish in your first year at Green River?

My biggest challenge this year would be to set up a web-based online chemical inventory.

What three accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?

Attaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry

Traveling to over 15 different countries

My family

If your coworkers were to give you an office nickname, what would that be? 

I don’t Zinc so!

For Green River’s annual talent show (this doesn’t actually exist), what hidden talent would you showcase for everyone?

My musical abilities.

If G.R.E.E.N. were an acronym for something, what would each letter stand for?

Go

Read

Explore

Engage

Nature

Last Chance to Enroll in Long-term Disability

  Last Chance to Enroll in Long-term Disability

There are just a few days left to enroll in Long-term Disability, which ends on March 31, 2019. This was special, one-time open enrollment opportunity for optional long-term disability insurance. Click the highlighted link above to find out how you can enroll.