Announcement, Passing of Dina Kovarik

Dear colleagues, 

It is with great sadness that I must share with you that our wonderful colleague, Dina Kovarik passed away on Friday, October 14, 2022. Dina, as a faculty member in the Biology and Biotechnology program for the past eight years, contributed immensely to improving the program and supporting our students to reach their goals. She was the driving force for the development and growth of Project Biotech (a series of High School Biotech summer camps) which has become a transformative experience for so many young students. As many of you know, Dina and I taught together in the Biotech Program for 3 years, including co-teaching Molecular Biology and Immunology. I feel fortunate to have worked with her and experienced firsthand the dedication and care she had for students and the positive energy she brought to any room, even as she was dealing with multiple physical ailments. I will miss having Dina as a colleague tremendously. As I get information from Dina’s family, I will share it with you.  

Some of you may have known Dina for a while, while others are just getting to know her.  The death of a person impacts people in many ways.   This is a tremendous loss that may deeply impact students in her classes as well as fellow college staff. For those of you needing additional support please know that the college has resources to assist.  Employees may access services and support at any time through the Employee Assistance Program at 877-313-4455.  

Several faculty have come together to support and ensure her courses continue.   

For students, we are messaging them now so that they know about this issue, and we are providing them with resources.  

• If you are experiencing distress related to this, please reach out to the Counseling Center for support. Member(s) of our Counseling Center staff will be on-hand for class today at 1:00 pm. 
• In addition, for emergency counseling, referral, or assistance 24 hours/day and 7-days/week, please call:  

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 800-273-8255 
• King County: Crisis Connections (Crisis Line) | 866-427-4747 
• Snohomish County: Volunteers of America Care Crisis Response Services (Crisis Line) | 800-584-3578 

• Lifeline Crisis Chat: Go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ 
• Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 
• 911 (for immediate health-related emergencies) 

Please take care and contact me if you have any additional questions.

Guy Hamilton