CPTC Me Diversity Project

Education is the Great Equalizer! In all of my experiences, two concepts help me succeed in life; I am intensely curious, and I remain teachable. By adopting these two characteristics, a person will overcome their imperfections, mistakes, and lack of motivation. I stop beating up my weaknesses; I lean on my strengths. Perfectionism is a construct in which I cannot afford to invest. Show up, be present and accountable, stay curious and remain teachable; the rest will take care of itself. CPTC Me, Bryant Watts Faculty, Human Services

“Don’t expect anyone to understand your journey, especially if they’ve never walked your path.” –Unknown I was blessed to be born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii in the town of Kahuku. Small town values and the myriad of cultures that I was exposed to growing up helped me to recognize how interdependent we all are. It also instilled in me a passion to learn more about where I come from to help myself have a better context for who I am in this world. When we learn to see the value in each other, only then can we build equitable relationships that can bring about great change. Those of us who have been able to navigate the maze of Higher Education have an obligation to pass that knowledge on and hold the doors open for those who will come after us. CPTC Me, Celva Boon Director, Student Aid & Scholarships

Diversity means coming together with all of our differences to create a better environment for all by helping to remove personal biases and negative stereotypes. If we foster an inclusive environment, we allow people to bring their own experiences without shutting them down and implement new ways. Diversity is the product of an inclusive environment that Includes all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, political views, religious beliefs, academic background, sexual orientation, professions, heritage, and life experiences. Diversity means more acceptance. Diversity means allowing change to happen and adapt as we grow as individuals and as a society. How will life be if everyone was the same? Our uniqueness has and continues to shape the world every day. Diversity is not just an observation, we should acknowledge the differences among us and be open to learn, understand, and change when needed; because one way doesn’t fit all. CPTC Me, Deysi Martinez Manager of Student Diversity Outreach, Student Success

Diversity exists when you go above and beyond being aware of differences or accepting differences to the point of actively including people who are different from you. Diversity is learning from our differences to make the whole community a better place. Everyone is “different” in their own unique way and these differences cultivate us in understanding that we may see things differently. This doesn’t mean that your way or mine is better than the other, it just means that we have different experiences that have formed in us over time. CPTC Me, Dion Alexander Faculty, General Education/Mathematics

Why don’t you try to look inside rather than outside when you look at people? Inside every human being, there is a beautiful value. I was born and raised in the south of Korea and taught computers to students for a long time. It has been less than six years since I immigrated to the United States. The beginning of my immigration life was ESL class here at Clover Park Technical College. A teacher’s unbiased advice made me a graduate of this college. Starting with the work-study, I am now helping immigrated students in the same situation as me at the Transitional Studies Department. Isn’t it amazing? As in my case, I think anyone can show their ability when they look at someone without prejudice and give them equal opportunities. I love to work in transitional studies, our department is a place where you can look at diversity better than anywhere else in our college. I love my colleagues who talk about Korean dramas with me and like K-pop. In the future, I hope to open a Korean language course at this college. I believe that if we try to respect and understand each other’s differences, we will be able to create a society where we can learn more and harmonize. CPTC Me, Eun Ha Lee Faculty, Transitional Studies

Diversity is not just about race, culture, or sexuality. diversity can be about our different interests, hobbies, skills and talents, too. I was born in Korea, adopted, and brought to Washington on Christmas Day when I was 2.5 years old. I became a U.S. citizen when I was 4 years old. I am married and have been with my veteran husband for 14 years. I enjoy doing DIY projects, crafting, going to the gym, and going for sunset walks in my neighborhood. I am an alumna of Clover Park Technical College, where I earned my Graphic Technologies AAST degree, my Web Development AAT Degree, and my .NET Programming AAT degree. Diversity is like a potlock—we all bring something different to the table. In my circle of friends, we all have different jobs, talents, and interests. I have one friend who is a baker. When we have get-togethers, she brings the sweet treats. She enjoys science fiction and dogs. She would bring the donuts to a potluck. I have another friend who has a career in Human Services. She has a big heart and is always helping people. She enjoys running and works out at the gym with me. She would bring steaks for the grill. I have a micronesian friend who is a nurse and can help with any medical related needs. She enjoys cooking. She would probably bring her famous lumpia and pancit to the potluck table. I Also have a korean friend who is a dental assistant. She enjoys video games. She doesn’t cook, so She would probably bring something store-bought. We are all different, but our common interests and different personalities are what brings us together as great friends. Each of us brings something different to the table and each contribution is invaluable. CPTC Me, Jeanna Dufour Marketing Assistant, Marketing & Communications

We talk a lot about diversity enriching our world – but it needs to go beyond appreciating food and art. Education has too long recognized only a narrow way of learning, thinking, communicating, being. Each community and each individual has a unique contribution. Part of my work is to open up the college to more diverse ways of learning beyond traditional education. The other part of my work is to honor every person that I encounter and serve them on their pathway. I see you. I welcome you. I honor you. CPTC Me, Jenna Pollock Dean of Pre-College Pathways, Instruction

Scientific knowledge supports that Diversity is an advantage of our human species. The more diverse the species, the longer it will survive and evolve in the universe. A natural phenomenon that I find amazing to symbolize the unity and diversity of life, of culture, is the beauty of the rainbow. Each color of the rainbow can exist separately; have different wave lengths and varying frequencies; but on the color spectrum, all the colors are organized in a special sequence to create a beautiful unity and an inspiring effect. I am blessed to have been raised in a close-knit family with great moral values, with a strong FAITH as the center of my upbringing in my homeland – the Philippines. Being raised poor has given me the will and determination to pursue a passport to a stable future, through education. College education was not an option; it was a requirement that was established by my strong-willed Mother; I am forever grateful. I came to the United States to join my husband who was then serving in the US Army. I’ve been a military wife for 20 years, and have been an educator that whole time. I taught Basic Skills Education to US soldiers wherever my husband was stationed: in the continental US and overseas, Germany and Korea. I am still enjoying my teaching here at CPTC! My experience with diversity has enhanced my self-awareness. I have gained insight from my life experiences – being a minority, and respecting values of other people coming from different backgrounds. “Adaptation” has always been, and will always be my tool for survival. Sharing my diversity experience with my students will hopefully encourage them to fly high - “Sky is the limit” in all their pursuits. There is Beauty and Strength in Diversity. Let’s ALL embrace it. CPTC Me, Loreta Sandoval Faculty, General Education/Mathematics

Diversity to me means feeling seen. Growing up I didn’t see myself represented on TV, but I found that books offered a portal to other possibilities. Books are amazing vehicles for empathy, connecting people across time and space and providing opportunities to explore the full picture of humanity. I continue to be fascinated by the ways people of different identities can bond and create shared purpose. It is thrilling to witness the expanded representation of people in media. CPTC Me, Pearl DeSure Faculty Librarian, Instruction

Fostering a sense of belonging and connectedness in college is crucial for putting all students on a path to success. Attending college in the rural south, I didn’t get to see and interact with people like me and often felt pressured to assimilate to heteronormative culture. Students need role models to whom they can relate and who understand their experiences. To all of my LGBTQ + brothers and sisters, I see you. CPTC Me. CPTC Me, Scott Latiolais Vice President of Student Success