2008 Woodie Awards
Student programs and leadership gets a new director
Former director Cruver took a job at UW Bothel, so Hartsfield eagerly filled the vacancy
Jonathan Bowers
Issue date:
1/29/08
Section:
Features
After a rocky start, Olympic College has found someone to bring experience, excitement, and commitment to the Student Programs and Leadership Development director position.
Toni Hartsfield, who began on Jan. 22, came highly recommended with good previous experience. She held a similar position at Bothell Community College, which was described by Gina Houston, the college's dean of student development, as a model program that was very student inclusive.
The SPLD director was only separated from the athletics department this year, and its original director, Michelle Cruver, left after only one quarter. Cruver said she enjoyed her experiences here at OC she received an opportunity at the UW Bothell campus that she could not refuse. Her last day was Jan. 4 and though there was a chance of an extended vacancy at the position, Hartsfield heard of the job online and quickly filled the position.
To ensure a smooth transition from one director to the next, Hartsfield and Cruver met in Seattle to discuss budget issues and other immediate issues Hartsfield would have to address. To further insure both a smooth transition and also give the students an opportunity to meet her, Hartsfield spent Jan. 11 and 18 on campus.
Hartsfield said what excited her most about her nex job at OC was the learning opportunity the position offered. Her ability to learn and grow in her position is concurrent to her desire to see the SPLD itself learn and grow.
She also said she loved the idea of getting to work at three campuses, and the challenges and opportunities that it would present.
Hartsfield said she wanted to encourage an environment conducive to "real intentional interaction between the students and the school program."
She also believes that the student government and clubs should be by and for the students and views herself as support resource for the students in a way that promotes success as opposed to a managing aspect with in the SPLD.
For example, Hartsfield sits on the Student and Activities Budget Committee, but she does not have a vote.
One of the most important things stressed by Hartsfield is the $10,000 grant the college received from the Partners in Learning Project. The Washington Campus Compact Serve and Learn Program funded the grant. It is designed to help create opportunities for college students to serve the community. In an e-mail, Hartsfield described it as "opportunities for college students to serve in our community as volunteer mentors and community campus liaisons with high school students, namely those at Bremerton High School."
The goals are to create opportunities where they may not exist for students at BHS, develop civic leadership skills in OC students and increase the ability for OC departments and staff to work together, and build stronger relationships between OC and local public schools.
Despite the rough start OC may have found a director for new position that is committed to the long haul.
"This is a career, not a job," Hartsfield.
Toni Hartsfield, who began on Jan. 22, came highly recommended with good previous experience. She held a similar position at Bothell Community College, which was described by Gina Houston, the college's dean of student development, as a model program that was very student inclusive.
The SPLD director was only separated from the athletics department this year, and its original director, Michelle Cruver, left after only one quarter. Cruver said she enjoyed her experiences here at OC she received an opportunity at the UW Bothell campus that she could not refuse. Her last day was Jan. 4 and though there was a chance of an extended vacancy at the position, Hartsfield heard of the job online and quickly filled the position.
To ensure a smooth transition from one director to the next, Hartsfield and Cruver met in Seattle to discuss budget issues and other immediate issues Hartsfield would have to address. To further insure both a smooth transition and also give the students an opportunity to meet her, Hartsfield spent Jan. 11 and 18 on campus.
Hartsfield said what excited her most about her nex job at OC was the learning opportunity the position offered. Her ability to learn and grow in her position is concurrent to her desire to see the SPLD itself learn and grow.
She also said she loved the idea of getting to work at three campuses, and the challenges and opportunities that it would present.
Hartsfield said she wanted to encourage an environment conducive to "real intentional interaction between the students and the school program."
She also believes that the student government and clubs should be by and for the students and views herself as support resource for the students in a way that promotes success as opposed to a managing aspect with in the SPLD.
For example, Hartsfield sits on the Student and Activities Budget Committee, but she does not have a vote.
One of the most important things stressed by Hartsfield is the $10,000 grant the college received from the Partners in Learning Project. The Washington Campus Compact Serve and Learn Program funded the grant. It is designed to help create opportunities for college students to serve the community. In an e-mail, Hartsfield described it as "opportunities for college students to serve in our community as volunteer mentors and community campus liaisons with high school students, namely those at Bremerton High School."
The goals are to create opportunities where they may not exist for students at BHS, develop civic leadership skills in OC students and increase the ability for OC departments and staff to work together, and build stronger relationships between OC and local public schools.
Despite the rough start OC may have found a director for new position that is committed to the long haul.
"This is a career, not a job," Hartsfield.
Be the first to comment on this story