Each year at the Classified Connection, Care Bears are awarded to deserving Classified Staff members and Part-time Hourly staff at Olympic College. These individuals make a genuine difference at Olympic College. They go the extra mile day after day, and are genuinely concerned about student success and the success of Olympic College.

Every year, care bears are selected for one part-time hourly member, and two classified members. This year, an added the Rookie of the Year Bear was incorporated for a new member.

This year’s Care Bear Awards, descriptions and recipients are listed below:

Rookie of The Year – Danessa Gray

Since starting at Olympic College 6 months ago, Danessa has become an invaluable member of the Early Childhood Program. Danessa has been able to set up data bases for faculty that have allowed for certificate or graduation complete of over 140 students. Danessa is a gifted artist, hard worker and has strong customer service skills.

Classified Staff – Jaymie Cox-Garcia

Jaymie has been a powerhouse with a deep commitment to the students of Olympic College. Throughout the pandemic her skillset, her motivation, and her commitment have created so much support for student at a time when it was much needed. Behind the scenes, there are hours of work, far beyond the call of duty, writing funding requests, organizing cookie kits, and marshalling faculty to begin and expand programs like Mental Health First Aid on campus. As an instructor for Mental Health First Aid, Jaymie has taught faculty and staff how to recognize when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, and the steps to take in order to ensure the individual receives the help they need.

Classified Staff – Katie Guarin

Katie joined the Finance team as a student employee, was hired as a full time Fiscal Analyst 1 In-Training and has recently become a permanent employee. She is graduating in June with high marks, earning her Associates Degree.
Katie goes the extra mile daily and genuinely is concerned to help each student to succeed. At Go Live this recipient developed procedures for students to follow in the new system. In addition, she recognized students were incorrectly calculating funding requests and proactively developed a Third Party Funding Request Tool to help.
Katie is becoming the Student Financials CTC Subject Matter Expert for student accounts receivable, often answering questions and troubleshooting with other departments. The State Board Student Financials training team recognize this recipient as a Subject Matter Expert, giving her credit for a new QRG and inviting her to present her new group posting process for more efficient posting of Third Party Contract payments at an SF training for all colleges. She worked with SBCTC to develop a third party payment reconciliation query that is now available to all CTC colleges.

Part-Time Hourly Care Bear – Camren Bleiler

Outside the plexiglass window, through which this recipient greets students and faculty, there is a tiny pink box. The cover says, “The most wonderful thing in the world.” When one opens the box, the message, “You!!” is inside! It is typical of this recipient to greet everyone with a positive, enthusiastic yet professional approach.

On behalf of the STTACC Board, we sincerely congratulate each and every one of these recipients, and we’re celebrating together with them (from a distance)!