Director’s Spotlight You have to start in order to finish...

It seems like all of us have moments in our lives when we stop what we’re doing, look around, take stock, so to speak, and decide that perhaps it is  me for a change.  It doesn’t have to necessarily be a big change‐‐o en a second run at something we tried before will work.  The hope is that this  me we will succeed, that something will be different… in a good way.  

Going back to school is one of those “runs” not to be taken lightly.  It can be the hardest thing we do, be ng that our success will lead to posi ve changes in our future.  Going back is a gutsy move‐‐especially if we have tried before.  Let that thought go‐‐each move toward improving our lives involves change‐‐each  me we try, it is a new chapter in our story.  Go for it! If you never start, you never finish.   

September/October 2013 Volume 8 Issue 2 

 

FYI September 23: Fall Qtr. Begins 

September 25: Last day to add without instructor permission 

September 27: Last day for 100% refund 

September 30: Classes dropped for non‐payment  

October 21: Priority Registra on 

October 22: Advising Day for Winter Qtr. for current students 

October 25: Open Registra on 

 

The Inside Director’s Spotlight    1 

The Learning Lab in Review  1 

TRiO Happenings    2 

Speak Up!      2 

Take Charge of Your Learning  3 

Lessons Learned from a TRiO      Student      4 

New Applied BA Degrees  5 

NAMI Monthly Educa onal 

     Forums      5 

What is ASG?      5 

Gatekeepers of the Future      Workforce      6 

How Our Worldview Influences 

     Our Percep ons    7 

Like Us on

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Find us on the Web www.lwtech.edu/trio

The Learning Lab in Review The Learning Lab opened for the first  me in E214 this Summer Quarter. Staff was 

excited about such a posi ve response from students. In July, The Learning Lab saw 

four  mes as many students as it did last year in its former loca on, W204F.  

Students primarily sought assistance in math, English, BIOL&211 and CHEM&121 but 

many other subjects were requested as well.  

A variety of resources are available to support students’ learning in The Learning Lab. 

For the sciences, there is a small scale skeleton and a chemistry model set. There are 

graphing calculators and handouts to provide further explana on and examples for 

math. For English, the Writers Reference Manual is available as well as handouts 

about plagiarism and APA and MLA forma ng.  There is a SMART Board that allows 

students to interact with visual models of the human body, diesel engines, and more.  

The Learning Lab is open to all LWIT students and provides support in sciences, pre‐

requisites, math, English and more. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am‐

4:00pm. The digital screen outside E214 presents a daily staff and subject schedule. 

There will be an Open House on Thursday, September 26 from 11:00am‐1:00pm in 

E214. Come see The Learning Lab for yourself! 

BFET

If you are 

an LWIT 

student 

receiving 

federal food stamps and have 

applied for FAFSA, you may 

be eligible for benefits from 

Basic Food Employment & 

Training (BFET). These could 

include a book s pend, 

childcare, and advising. Please 

visit Ka e Viola in W207 for 

more informa on. 

 

 

 

 

Counseling Services

LWIT offers students free, 

short‐term counseling (3‐5 

sessions). Community 

resources, advocacy and 

referrals are also available. 

Please visit W207 to make an 

appointment.  If you are 

experiencing  an immediate 

crisis, call the Crisis Clinic at 

(206) 461‐3222. 

TRiO Happenings Open House—TRiO will be hosting an Open House for the Learning Lab on

Thursday, September 26 from 11:00am-1:00pm. State and local government representatives, community members, LWIT faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend!

Kudos—The Learning Lab saw at least four times as many students this

summer quarter as last. Thank you to the staff and student facilitators!

Industry Exposure Visit—On September 4, Jennifer Rossignol visited

Boeing Company’s Renton factory to learn about the opportunities available to students in the aerospace and manufacturing industry. Read more on pg. 6.

Goodbye—Jessica Ball’s last day with TRiO was August 22. She had been

working with TRiO since January 2011, first as a volunteer and then as a student worker. She is off to the University of Washington—Tacoma to study in the Social Welfare program. Good luck and we’ll miss you! Read more on pg. 4.

Welcome—Natasha Mercado began working as TRiO’s student worker this

summer and will be back for the Fall quarter. Stop by to say hello!

Applaud—Craig Kerr will be teaching a section of EDUC&205 this Fall

quarter. He is excited to share his knowledge in this area with LWIT students.

SpeakUp! SpeakUp! is TRiO’s blog that gives students the opportunity to connect and discuss issues like motivation, scholarships, grammar, transfer information, and more.

Postings are made three times per month. On the 10th, a grammar lesson is presented. A monthly positive affirmation is posted on the 20th. On the 30th, a general topic is discussed based on what we’ve been hearing from students. All postings are short, fun, and informative.

Don’t miss another post. Click the link at the bottom of the blog to subscribe. http://speakupatlwit.blogspot.com/

Take Charge of Your Learning 

Learning is an ac ve process. Unfortunately, a lot of students approach learning 

passively. Many students expect to learn all the required informa on by listening 

to an instructor’s lecture or by reading a textbook cover to cover. As a result, 

learning doesn’t sink in and is not very exci ng.  

However, you are in charge of your own learning. If you can make learning ac ve, 

if you can engage with your learning, par cipate in it, find the meaning and not 

just memorize the informa on, then you will gain much more from your college 

experience and learn skills that can help you get more out your future jobs and 

life. Here are some ac ons you can take now:  

Learn how you learn best: Take the online VARK survey to discover your 

learning style. Discover which ways you prefer to learn and then learn ways to 

study based on your preferences. Also, take  me to think about your 

successful learning experiences. Do you talk with a friend about what you learn 

in class before you take a test? Do you go for walks while you study? Keep 

doing the things that help you engage in your learning. 

Ask questions during class and between classes

Create or join a study group

Visit The Learning Lab in E214: You can use the SMART Board to engage in your learning

Schedule a study skills appointment with a TRiO advisor: Stop by and talk with Erin or Jenn about areas you wish to address, including textbook reading, note taking, test taking, and more. We will schedule a time to sit down with you and discuss learning strategies. Appointments only take 20 minutes, and you leave with tools to help you succeed.

Educationislearningwhatyoudidn’tevenknowyoudidn’tknow.

~DanielJ.Boorstin

Disability Support Services

Contact the 

Disability 

Support 

Services 

office as early as possible if 

a physical, sensory, 

psychological, or learning 

disability impacts your 

ability to succeed in 

classes. Please visit W207 

or email                        

dssinfo@lwtech.edu for 

more informa on.  

WorkPlace 101

Workshop

1st and 2nd Wednesday of Every Month 

Career Choice

Workshops

1st and 3rd Friday of Every Month 

Please visit W207 for more informa on on Career and Job assistance.  

Photo credit: depositphotos.com 

Lessons Learned from a TRiO 

Student Contributed by Jessica Ball, 2013 LWIT Graduate (SHSV) 

When I started at LWIT 2 ½ years ago, it had been 8 years since I had been in school, 

which felt like forever. I didn’t know much about the college or where to go for help. I 

had an appointment with the Disability Support Services office (DSS), and a er my 

appointment she introduced me to TRiO. I signed up because God knows I needed the 

help, but they helped me in ways that are irreplaceable.  

The Learning Lab opened for the first  me during my first quarter and, I’ll tell you, with 

their help, I feel like I was able to be er succeed that quarter. The staff in The Learning 

Lab helped me with different techniques of learning and studying and how to gain some 

confidence in my school work; I even started a study group in there for my psychology 

class.  

I was also going through some rough  mes my first quarter, as my grandfather was 

really sick. TRiO was there for me when I needed someone to talk to when I would 

receive bad news while at school. I actually started volunteering with TRiO my first 

quarter as well. My next quarter I was able to receive work‐study through financial aid 

so I was able to work for TRiO instead of volunteering, and I have been with them since.  

I really feel like if I didn’t have the TRiO staff and all of their support, that my life here at 

LWIT would have turned out completely different than it did. I applied for the University 

of Washington, Sea le and Tacoma campuses and to the Social Welfare programs at 

each campus. With the help of the TRiO staff, I was able to have a great personal 

statement and resume. TRiO has really inspired me to do things that I probably 

wouldn’t have ever done like applying for the UW. It paid off because I will be going to 

UWT star ng this autumn quarter in the Social Welfare program.  

I feel I have come a long way since I started here at LWIT and I look forward to growing 

some more in the next chapter of my life.  

Financial Aid Office

Remember 

to apply for 

financial aid 

each year 

by 

comple ng a new FAFSA. 

Check your award le er  on 

the Student Portal. If you 

are receiving student loans, 

a new Loan Request Form 

must be completed.   

For more informa on, visit 

W209. 

Opportunity Grant

Designed to help low‐

income students studying 

for high demand career 

fields such as accoun ng, 

allied health, I‐Best, and 

business administra on 

support. Services provided 

include tui on and fees 

assistance up to 45 credits, a 

book s pend, and educa on 

advising and planning.  

For more informa on, visit 

W207. 

New Applied Baccalaureate Degrees   Below are three new applied baccalaureate degrees at 2‐year community and technical colleges in Washington: 

· Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Security—Columbia Basin College. This degree is designed for those who have earned an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree, but lack the broader business‐related educa on needed to move into management posi ons. The BAS degree broadens career opportuni es and helps graduates’ promo on to management posi ons. 

· Bachelor of Applied Science in Informa on Technology: Network Administra on and Security—Green River Community College.  This BAS program is designed to prepare students for employment in a variety of IT posi ons, such as network and computer system administrators, informa on security analyst, or computer support specialists. To enter this program, students must have a technical associate’s degree in an IT‐related field from a regionally accredited ins tu on that includes at least 45 credits of IT courses (minimum GPA of 2.5) and at least 20 credits of academic core courses. 

· Bachelor of Applied Science in Interna onal Business—North Sea le Community College. This BAS program provides opportunity for students who already have business and accoun ng non‐transfer associate degrees such as an AAS. The Interna onal Business degree focuses on the skills needed for management of businesses involved in impor ng and/or expor ng or with an interna onal supply chain.  

If you are interested in any of these programs, please contact Tien in TRiO today. 

h p://www.sbctc.ctc.edu/college/e_appliedbaccalaureates.aspx 

Veterans Services

LWIT is proud to assist all 

veterans, reservists, ac ve 

duty personnel and eligible 

family members who receive 

Veteran's Administra on 

educa on benefits.  

For more informa on visit 

W213B. 

Worker Retraining

Laid off workers, displaced 

homemakers, military veter‐

ans, and previously self‐

employed LWIT students 

may be eligible for this pro‐

gram. Students would re‐

ceive tui on assistance and 

priority registra on.  

For more informa on visit 

W207. 

Worker Retraining 

Orienta ons 

Tuesdays at 8:30am &  

Fridays at 12:00pm in W213C 

WorkFirst

This program will help 

eligible TANF and former 

TANF parents with their 

educa onal goals. 

Par cipants may be eligible 

for financial assistance.  

For more informa on, visit 

W207. 

NAMI Monthly 

Educa onal 

Forums The Na onal Alliance on Mental Illness 

Eastside regularly hosts free 

educa onal forums on meaningful 

topics for people impacted by mental 

illness.  

The next forum is about assisted 

outpa ent treatment and will be held 

on Tuesday, October 15 from 7:00‐

9:00pm at Evergreen Health.  

Visit their website to learn more.  

What is ASG?  Associated Student Government’s (ASG) mission 

is to enhance the student experience by planning 

ac vi es and providing representa on to build a 

feeling of community at LWIT. 

ASG accomplishes these goals through:  

Chartered Clubs—Offer leadership and learning 

opportuni es. 

Student Ac vi es—Music, poetry, charitable 

events, speakers, leadership workshops, and 

wellness events. 

ASG Commi ees—Include College Cabinet, 

faculty tenure, ASG Budget, ASG selec ons, ASG 

ac vi es, and Diversity Commi ee.  

Commencement—The ceremony to celebrate 

student academic achievement 

Get involved with ASG this year!  

Gatekeepers of the Future Workforce Contributed by Jennifer Rossignol, Career Specialist TRiO Projects 

Career Specialists and Advisors tend to know a little bit about a lot of different career fields. Students come to us seeking answers about various industries, their requirements, and their processes and needs. How much more effective could we be if we knew more than a little about the emerging technological needs of education and the manufacturing/engineering industry?

Recognizing the value of educating Career Specialists and Advisors, the “gatekeepers of the future workforce,” The Manufacturing Technology Advisory Group (MTAG) developed the Industry Exposure Visit/Tour Opportunities Program. MTAG has partnered with business, education, government, labor and the community to host several industry visits. During these visits, Career Specialists and Advisors can discuss company policy, workforce needs, skills and educational requirements.

On September 4, several community and technical college representatives, including myself, visited Boeing Company’s Renton factory as an example of the aerospace and manufacturing industry. The campus was abuzz with trains arriving carrying new fuselages, helicopters swirling overhead, and delivery trucks zooming by. Upon entering the first building, we were invited to see the skills classrooms. Here, students receive hands-on-training from reading blueprints, to installing rivets, to stringing miles of electrical wiring, to understanding the mechanics of a plane’s wheel-well. After students have been trained, they begin working on the manufacturing floor down below. We were able to see the extremely loud, slightly stuffy, and laborious process of putting an airplane wing together.

In another building, we saw the production line for eight new airplanes. It was here that we learned about some of the workforce jobs in demand and how to get started at Boeing. In particular, it was noted that quality control inspectors were in high demand! These are the people who ensure that the final product was made as designed. In addition to training at community or technical colleges, our tour guides talked about apprentice programs. Apprenticeships allow students to receive paid-on-the job training during the day and then take classes in the evenings. The application process for Boeing was also discussed. Although it can be tedious, it is important to tailor each resume to each job one is applying for. In addition, Boeing uses a keyword search in reviewing resumes.

I had never really thought about the intricate details of the creation of an airplane prior to this visit. Clearly, these are highly skilled, attentive, and team players who produce more than 38 planes each month. I can’t wait for the next student who asks me about aerospace engineering or manufacturing!

To learn more about manufacturing career pathways: To learn more about apprentice programs:

Washington State Skills Centers Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee

Washington Career Bridge The IAM/Boeing Joint Apprenticeship Program

The Boeing Company

Center of Excellence for Aerospace and Advanced Materials Manufacturing

To learn more about keyword searches and for assistance with the Boeing application:

Make an appointment with the Employment Resource Center in W207.

Upcoming Sea le Area Events * The Northwest Chocolate Fes val (September 20‐22) Sample fine ar san chocolates and desserts or a end workshops on chocolate making and cooking at the Sea le Conven on Center.   * Kirkland Oktoberfest (September 27 ‐ 29) Enjoy beer, sauerkraut, bratwurst, wiener dog races, costume contests, games, and live music at Kirkland’s Marina Park.  * Pumpkin Patch & Corn Mazes (October 1‐31) Enjoy pumpkin patches, hay rides, and corn mazes throughout WA.   King County ‐ Sea le & Eastside   Pierce County ‐ Tacoma & Puyallup   Snohomish County ‐ Evere  & Snohomish   Thurston County ‐ Olympia & Lacey  * Issaquah Salmon Days Fes val (October 5‐6) Celebrate the salmons’ return with arts and cra s, a kid’s play area, food, and entertainment.  * Zoo Boo (October 19‐20) Enjoy treats, watch animals play with pumpkins, and wear a costume for a discount at Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma.  * Pumpkin Bash and Trick‐or‐Trea ng (October 26‐27) Enjoy treats and watch animals play with pumpkin at Woodland Park Zoo. 

How Our Worldview Influences Our Percep ons Last month we began to look at the first aspect of Cultural Competence which is understanding one’s own worldview: personally held values, beliefs, and assump ons. This month we will con nue to inves gate how our worldviews influence our percep on and interac ons with others.  

Our beliefs influence the way that we interpret the world around us and the people we come in contact with.  What do you think when you see a homeless person in Sea le? Many have preconceived ideas about the person because of our beliefs and what we have been socialized through the media to see. (Check out this link here to read real stories behind why some people have to live on the streets.) Let’s think about another scenario. How do you react to someone who has an accent? Many people react as though someone with an accent is not as intelligent because he/she does not speak English well. What beliefs do we have about speaking English that influence us to talk slowly to a person who has an accent? How would we react if we knew they had an advanced degree from another country, but cannot get work in their field in the US and have to work at a restaurant to pay the bills? This is the story of a lawyer who worked in a restaurant and was demeaned by many customers.   

“Social science research indicates that our values and beliefs (i.e. our a tudes) about equality may be inconsistent with our behaviors, and ironically we may be unaware of it.” (Mar n & Vaughn, 2007). How does your worldview influence your a tude and ac ons towards others who may not share your same beliefs, values, and assump ons? Answering this ques on is the second aspect of becoming a culturally competent individual.  Mercedes  Mar n, MA, & Vaughn, B.E. (2007). Cultural competence: The nuts & bolts of diversity & inclusion. In Strategic Diversity & Inclusion Management magazine, Billy 

Vaughn, PhD (Ed.), pp. 31‐38, San Francisco: Diversity Training University Interna onal Publica ons Division. 

TRiO Projects 11605 132nd AVE NE E214B Kirkland, WA 98034 Pat Hunter:    425.739.8361 Erin Smith:    425.739.8353 Craig Kerr:    425.739.8360 Tien Do:    425.739.8249 Jenn Rossignol  425.739.8351 

The enclosed materials were compiled through grants from the U.S. Department of Education. However, the contents have not been reviewed by the Department and no endorsement should be inferred. The Lake Washington Institute of Technology Student Support Services TRiO Projects are100% federally funded annually at $420,840.

The mission of the TRiO Projects at Lake Washington Ins tute of Technology is to increase the reten on, gradua on and transfer rates of eligible students. This is accomplished by providing suppor ve services such as tutoring, academic counseling, educa onal planning, academic success workshops, learning labs, financial educa on and transfer assistance. 

The purpose of TRiO Projects is to assist first‐genera on and/or low‐income students and students with disabili es in achieving their post‐secondary academic ambi ons.  Students are encouraged to complete their associate degree or cer ficate programs and, whenever feasible, enter a bachelor’s level program at LWIT or transfer to a four‐year ins tu on.  TRiO Projects are commi ed to making college a rewarding and successful experience for each student par cipant.  

No ce of Non‐Discrimina on– Lake Washington Ins tute of Technology is an equal opportunity ins tu on. 

 

 TRiO Participants

FREEFREE

Printing & Copying* *Please note that due to limited funding, prin ng and copying are at the discre on of TRiO staff and will usually not exceed 10 pages. 

No color prin ng or copying will be provided. 

For more informa on, visit h p://www.lwtech.edu/

student_life/the_lions_pride.html.