College Transfer

Carlito Umali, Graduate AA Transfer Degree

What led you to Seattle Central?
A combination of reasons: I came straight from Renton High and wasn’t prepared academically for a four-year college — I needed a place to develop my skills. I could work 16 hours per week at a minimum wage job and afford full-time tuition. Also, the diversity at the college put me at ease.

Who helped you succeed at Seattle Central?
Two words: Nada Oakley. My literature instructor provided a rigorous, world-class education.

What about outside of the classroom?
The Phi Theta Kappa club’s focus on leadership, service, and fellowship helped me win scholarships and opened my opportunities. Also the Office of Multicultural Initiatives was a place to meet and work with students of color.

What are you up to now?
I just received my B.A. from Seattle University in English-Literature, with a minor in Diversity Citizenship and Social Justice, and I was chosen as Seattle U’s commencement speaker. Right now I’m planning the Seattle Central’s Students of Color Leaderships Institute. I’ve made a full circle — I attended the Students of Color Leaderships Institute in 2005.

What’s ahead for you?
This fall I’m working on the First Generation Project, which is a mentorship and recruitment program in the Seattle Public School District. Soon I’ll be starting my Master’s degree in teaching and hope to learn German — in Germany!

Read more about Carlito: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/367082_first14.html.

College Transfer

Mikal Brotnov, Graduate-AA Transfer Degree recipient

What led you to Seattle Central?
The desire to get a college education at a well respected community college where I knew that differences would be celebrated.

How did you change while you were here?
I was merely a shell of a person when I arrived at Seattle Central. The thing that changed the most was my self-confidence and ambitious drive to achieve my goals.

What helped you succeed at Seattle Central?
Coordinated Studies Program (CSP) professors Tracy Lai and Nada Oakley helped me believe that I too am worthy of a dream. CSP’s not only shift your perception of the world, they shift your commitment to learning.

What are you up to now?
I just returned from Johns Hopkins University. I was invited to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholars Weekend where I met the most brilliant minds in numerous fields

What do you miss about the college?
I miss that I never once felt that I was alone on my quest to attain a degree. Seattle Central will always be like a family to me. Looking back, my entire experience has been filled with loving and guiding support every step of the way.

What’s ahead for you?
More education! I plan on attaining my BA/MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies, working for the Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Clark University so that I can make trips to the death camps. I have looked into the Fulbright Program and plan on becoming a professor with a Ph.D.

What advice would you give people about Seattle Central?
Seattle Central is there to support anyone regardless of what your long-term academic goals are. There are many opportunities to help shape your life; it is up to you to seek them out.

Worker Retraining Program

John Otto, Worker Retraining Program

What led you to Seattle Central?
I was interested in exploring new career options after I was laid off from a position in a telecommunications firm. My first stop was the Worker Retraining Program office.

How has the Worker Retraining Program at Central helped you succeed?
Mary Lockman, one of the advisors in the WRP office, has been very instrumental. If it weren’t for her guidance, I never would have gone on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in multidisciplinary gender/sex studies from The Evergreen State College or a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Washington. She has been a great source of support and inspiration for me; I view her as a mentor.

What are you up to now?
I recently moved to San Francisco from Washington, D.C., where I worked as a program manager with the National Center for Transgender Equality.

What’s ahead for you?
I’d still love to be employed in an area where I’m combining library and information science with transgender studies activism and education. I expect I’ll be in touch with Mary again for her counsel and advice.

Publishing Arts Program

Christina Merwin, Publishing Arts Graduate

What led you to Seattle Central?
I made up my mind that I wanted to learn a new skill, but hadn’t chosen one yet. Hearing about my friends’ positive experiences at Seattle Central inspired me to start my education here. One class after another, every phenomenal teacher after another, I knew I was in the right place.

You recently completed the Publishing Arts program. Was it a good experience?
Publishing Arts was an astounding surprise. It encompassed a complex combination of mental and physical skills that fit my personality and interests perfectly. When I talk about my experience in the program I always have a smile on my face.

What advice would you give people about Seattle Central?
Let yourself grow into what you are good at. It will lead you to the right place. Feel confident that when you seek advice from counselors and teachers at Seattle Central, that you will have positive and encouraging support in all of your objectives.

What are you up to now?
I have had the great opportunity to do freelance work, designing and publishing beautiful pieces. I’ve also been expanding my new web site, www.christinamerwin.com, which has portfolio pieces I created in the Publishing Arts program.

What’s ahead for you?
My not too distant future will hold an awesome career in the printing industry.