Rae-Ann Barras (left) is Acting Director of Student Life, working in the Student Leadership Center along with Rezina Habtemariam.

The Student Leadership Center at Shoreline Community College is heading into fall quarter with a new staffing lineup.

“I’m very pleased that Rae-Ann Barras and Rezina Habtemariam are in place and supporting students,” said Dean of Students Kim Thompson. “Rae-Ann and Rezina bring a tremendous amount of energy and expertise to this very important hub of student life.”

Barras is Acting Director of Student Life. She came to Shoreline in May, 2014 on a temporary appointment after working previously at Pacific Lutheran University in student services. Habtemariam continues in her position as program support supervisor. Also on the center’s staff is office assistant Lisa Smith.

The Director of Student Life position was recently vacated when James Wagner left the college this past week. Wagner came to Shoreline in 2013 from the University of Idaho and also worked at Central Washington University and Eastern Washington University.

Thompson said that Barras will serve in the acting role through the end of the 2014-15 academic year. An open recruitment will be conducted for the Director of Student Life position early in 2015.­­

The Center for Equity and Engagement (CEE) is looking for a Peer Navigator who will work up to 17 hours a week at $11.11 an hour. Applications due Oct. 6, and can be found in PUB 9301.

About the CEE Peer Navigator position:

The Peer Navigator will work with CEE staff to support the retention and academic achievement of underrepresented students at Shoreline Community College. The Peer Navigator will provide direct support and will be knowledgeable of campus services that offer learning assistance and financial resources. The Peer Navigator will also help to coordinate activities that engage students in learning (e.g., study groups, tutoring, basic skill development, and fun social events).

Essential Functions and Duties:

The following is a general representation of the key duties and responsibilities of this position. Other duties may be assigned.

• Organize and actively promote Center for Equity and Engagement sponsored events including, study groups, workshops, Clothesline-Domestic Violence Project, MLK Celebration, Women’s History Month, Multicultural Week, Campus Navigation Tools and Center alumni program
• Outreach and refer students to the Center for Equity and Engagement and other resources.
• Evaluate and debrief after each Center for Equity and Engagement sponsored activity
• Make follow-up contact with students by phone, email or through one-on-one meetings.
• Provide on-going peer support for new and current students.
• Organize quarterly retention activities and events for under-represented students.
• Increase women and multicultural student participation and representation in the campus community by organizing activities for students collaboratively with multicultural student organizations, Arts & Entertainment Board, Student Government, and campus committees.

Assist staff to promote and advertise events sponsored by the Center for Equity and Engagement.

• Provide clerical assistance to Multicultural Center, Women’s Center; prepare materials and set-up for Center for Equity and Engagement events and activities.
• Liaison and attend as needed; Recognized Student Organizations, Student Body Association, Arts & Entertainment Board meetings.

If you have questions, need additional information, or would like an application, please contact: Lynette Peters, Program Manager: Women’s Center – 206-546-4715 lpeters@shoreline.edu or Jamie Ardeña, Program Manager: Multicultural Center – 206-533-6618 jardena@shoreline.edu

The 19th annual Faculty and Staff of Color Conference offers a wealth of resources, contact, and support for faculty, classified staff, administrators and other employees. This year the conference will be at the Hilton Hotel in Vancouver, Wash. from Nov. 5-7.

Participants will have opportunities to discuss issues and share strategies that promote student success, organizational development, and career opportunities and advancement. The issues addressed in this conference are central to the future of higher education in Washington and our campus communities. Please use the conference as a resource for learning about meaningful ways to define the vital ties between diversity and higher education in Washington.

If you would like to attend the Faculty and Staff of Color conference, The Center for Equity and Engagement will partially fund classified staff and faculty members. The Center has funding to pay the conference registration fee ($225) for a limited number of participants. To supplement the remaining cost of the conference, please request funds from your department/division along with Faculty Professional Development funds or Classified Training and Staff Development funds.

If you are interested in attending the FSoC Conference please contact Jamie Ardeña in the Multicultural Center (206) 533-6618 – jardena@shoreline.edu by noon on Friday, Sept. 26.  Early bird registration ends on Oct. 1.

For more information regarding the cost of the conference and registration deadline, please go to the conference website.

Here is a look at some of the events happening on and around campus this week:

Monday, September 8:

Men’s and Women’s soccer takes on Rogue at Twin Ponds Park. Women’s match starts at 12:30 and the men’s at 2:45 p.m. #GoPhins

Friday, September 12:

Women’s soccer takes on Lower Columbia in Longview at 4 p.m. #GoPhins

Being blind might be enough of a barrier to most people, but it didn’t stop Cyrus Habib from graduating from Columbia, Oxford and Yale Law School, becoming a Rhodes Scholar and professor at Seattle University Law School and getting elected to the Washington state House of Representatives.

See more photos from the overcoming barriers summit

During his keynote speech at the fourth annual Overcoming Barriers to Employment summit on Friday, Sept. 5, Habib told stories of how he was able to overcome his disability and achieve success.

Read more on the news site.