 "Photo: Aaron Gould/ The Olympian")
Olympic College alumna Michele Mayor finds herself back at OC, this time not as a student, but as the campus’ shortest security guard.
The 5-foot tall, 28-year-old night guard has been patrolling the OC grounds for almost two years, but this isn’t exactly her first rodeo.
“I’ve done a little bit of everything,” said Mayor. “I was a police officer for about six months, then I spent about two and a half years as an explosives detection canine handler.”
Then it was time for Mayor to settle down.
“I took some time off … had a baby, did the whole housewife thing for about a year and a half,” she said.
That’s when Mayor returned to OC.
“I keep finding myself falling into this line of work, but I like it. So here I am,” Mayor said smiling.
Born in eastern Washington, Mayor became a native Puget Sound resident in 1st grade.
“I like it here when the weather’s not too bad, but I definitely like a bit more sun,” said Mayor.
“My husband’s from California, and we’d love to live there,” Mayor said.
The couple had planned to move down to the Golden State, but “life happened,” so the move will have to wait.
“The plan right now, is I’m going to apply for some area graduate programs in January,” said Mayor.
“Hopefully I’ll be pursuing a degree in the fall of 2011,” said Mayor.
Although working in the public safety field for almost five years, Mayor hopes to change her current career path.
“I’d really like to work in the field of psychology,” said Mayor.
“I think it’d be cool to work with junior high or high school kids,” she said.
“Bottom line: as long as I get to help people, I’m happy,” said mayor.
That doesn’t mean Mayor isn’t happy to be here, however.
Said Mayor, “everyone here (at OC) is very nice. You couldn’t ask for a better group of coworkers.”
And while most students see a lot of OC’s day time security force, not a lot are familiar with Mayor.
“On a typical day I come in, check my e-mail, see if there’s anything important from Rocky, and start to work on the logs,” said Mayor.
“After that, I head out, to do rounds. I check every door on campus. A typical round takes about three hours, but it can take longer if you’re interrupted and for our own safety, we’re always changing our routes,” she said.
Being the sole security officer throughout the night, Mayor has to stay attentive at all times.
“Working the night shift can be unnerving sometimes, but it’s all about how you carry yourself,” said Mayor.
“You just have to keep your eyes open and watch your back,” she said.
When students do see her around campus, some are taken aback by both her role and maybe even her small stature.
“People are sometimes surprised to find I’m a security guard, maybe because of my size,” I tell them; ‘no, I just like wearing this,’” Mayor said.
Don’t be fooled by the 5-foot Mayor, however. She packs quite a punch.
Said Mayor, “when I have time for fun, which between being a mom and a student and an OC employee is like never, I like to shoot my gun.”
“I’ve been shooting for about 7 years now,” said Mayor.
“I love it. Its just so invigorating, and my husband likes guns too,” she said, “so that’s just something we like to do together.”
Mayor doesn’t need a gun to be an effective presence on campus.
“If anyone feels uncomfortable for any reason, we’re here 24/7. We’re always happy to come out and talk to you or give you an escort. It’s our job,” Mayor said with a smile.
The security office is located inside the Bremer Student Center and an OC security officer can be reached at all hours at 360-475-7800.
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