Education Day was held November 15, 2019 on Olympic College’s Bremerton campus and gave class members insight into education from birth to adult continuing education in Kitsap County. The class was welcomed by Olympic College President Dr. Marty Cavalluzzi.
Leadership Kitsap is excited to partner this year with Olympic College for class members to earn an optional Certificate of Recogniton: Servant Leadership from Olympic College through their completion of Leadership Kitsap’s year-long curriculum. Dr. Dora Summers-Ewing stopped by to explain the application process. Dr. Karen Bolton will serve as the program advisor and contact.
Connie Mueller (LK01), Kitsap Community Resources Early Learning & Family Services Director introduced the class to the science behind, and great community benefit, of early childhood education and the unlimited potential of ALL children.
Harriette Bryant (LK05), Founder, President, and CEO OurGEMS (Our Girls Empowered Through Mentoring and Service); along with Jodie Collins, Olympic College Program Support Supervisor; Elsa Krier (LK20), Olympic College Outreach and Recruitment Manager; and Lily Davis, Olympic College student, OurGEMS graduate, and OC Promise scholarship recipient, shared the incredible benefits of teen mentorship. OurGEMS mentors the type of leadership training that fosters compassion and empathy through community involvement. NextGEMS at Olympic College continues that support and the OC Promise helps cover the gap between financial aid and the first year of tuition and fees at Olympic College.
On the employer side, Dr. Amy Hatfield, Olympic College Dean of Workforce Development, expanded the conversation and shared how Olympic College supports specific local companies and regional growth industries.
Following lunch prepared by Olympic College Culinary Arts students, the class had the opportunity to tour either Olympic College’s state-of-the-art engineering lab or College Instruction Center. The Mechanical and Electrical Engineering programs are a partnership between Washington State University and Olympic College to offer four-year Mechanical and Electrical Engineering degrees in Bremerton. The tour was led by Dr. Marvin Pitts, Professor and Program Coordinator, Washington State University’s program in Mechanical Engineering at Olympic College. The College Instruction Center houses Olympic College’s Health Occupations programs and Art, Music, and Theater programs. The tour was led by Audrey Wolf (LK14), Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement.
Kitsap Regional Librarians: Lisa Lechga, Community Engagement Manager; Ana Caprill, Youth Services Librarian; Glenna Matteson, Teen Services Librarian; and Priya Charry, Adult Services Librarian; shared several engaging library programs and opportunities for continuing education across all ages at the library. Each class member was invited to share in this year’s One Book, One Community conversation and given a copy of Evicted by Author Matthew Desmond.
As part of the day, Board member Alex Cervantes (LK18) facilitatied our Positive Leadership discussion on the leadership capacity of Purpose – the “why” behind what we do as leaders. Each presenter throughout the day exemplified this capacity.
Thank you to our Education Day Sponsors: Kitsap Community Resources, OurGEMS, and the Olympic College Alumni Association who sponsored our venue and delicious meals prepared by the Olympic College Culinary Arts Institute.