|
Susie A. Navone, M.Ed
Director
Growing up, I knew I wanted a career where I could help people. As an
adult, I also wanted a career that empowered people to realize their dreams
and to have a voice in their community. I’ve found as an educator, I can do
both. For ten years, I worked as an English as a Second Language and Adult
Basic Education instructor. I worked closely with the Hispanic and refugee
communities and enjoyed learning from my students. From 1998 to 2001, I
taught with technical skills instructors to help low-income students gain
skills for employment in the manufacturing and warehousing industries. In
2001, I accepted a position with our Title III team and became responsible
for developing resources to help students succeed in their training programs.
From that position, I developed a vision for a center where students could
learn about our training programs and determine which ones may match their
interests and goals. I also wanted it to be a center where students could
find learning resources that would help them to succeed in their programs,
and ultimately help them find a job upon completion of their training program.
That vision became the Student Success Center and I love my job as its Director.
Michelle Iko
Placement Coordinator
I really enjoy working with students to assist them with their goals and
help them reach their dreams. Beginning as a secretary in a non-profit
organization, I was able to obtain my BA degree 16 years after I left high
school. I then moved into direct service working with families and children
as a parenting group facilitator and parent mentor coordinator. I was then
given the opportunity to work with volunteers to support families at risk.
I worked as a case manager at a transitional housing program for mothers and
their young children. In this position I saw very clearly how getting ready
for, obtaining and keeping a job increased the confidence of these individuals
and encouraged them to continue heading toward their goals. As the Placement
Coordinator I am here to assist and support instructors and students with their
placement needs.
Carla Thompson
Employment Security Counselor
I am delighted to be here as the Co-located Employment Security Specialist from
WorkSource Renton. As part of the Student Success Center team since July 2008, I
assist students, graduates, and community members with unemployment concerns, making
connections to available resources, and finding employment.
My first full time job out of high school was in a personnel agency. That agency is
long gone, but it piqued my interest in employment issues and I went on to study
political economy in college and later went to work for a labor union. After earning
my teaching certificate in 2004, I taught elementary school and also worked as a
trainer in the public arena. This diverse background comes together in my position as
the Employment Security representative here on campus. I enjoy interacting with
students from diverse backgrounds; I like sharing information about employment issues
and trends; and I especially enjoy helping people articulate their strengths and gain
independence.
Karma Forbes
Counselor, Special Needs
As a Counselor at Renton Technical College, I provide career counseling and academic
advising to students. In my role as Special Needs Counselor, I help students with
disabilities access services to help them succeed in our programs. In addition to
the services I provide directly to RTC Technical Program students, I work with our
Assessment Counselor to serve Basic Studies students with special needs whose goals
include GED completion and/or attending technical programs and Business Technology.
Renton Technical College excels in offering hands-on learning, which many students
find as an ideal match to their learning style. In addition to over 20 years experience
in educational counseling, I am trained as a Learning Disabilities Specialist. I
especially enjoy helping students find effective strategies to address their learning
challenges by identify and utilizing their strengths to their fullest.
Jimmie Smith, M. Ed.
Counselor, Post-Assessment
Education is my career of choice. I have worked in the field of education for
over 25 years in several different roles. It is a pleasure to work with students,
helping them set goals and guiding them on the path as they pursue their dreams and
reach those goals. At Renton Technical College I counsel students concerning their
COMPASS placement results and give guidance to students in the Basic Studies program.
Radka Enriquez
Learning Support Coordinator
I am very happy to be a member of the Renton Technical College team and have the
opportunity to give students a helping hand while they pursue higher education.
Being a recent graduate, I understand the struggle that many students experience
on their way to fulfill their dreams.
Being an immigrant, I am aware of the sometimes difficult process that is
adjusting to living in a foreign country with little or no assistance, something
that many of our foreign-born students encounter.
My educational background is in languages and I am fluent in several. I also
have an interest to know about different cultures. After I graduated from a
university in Europe, I decided to settle in the USA.
As a Learning Support Coordinator at Renton Technical College, I provide
services to students with disabilities, technical training on assistive
technologies, personal coaching of students with disabilities, and help coordinate
the peer tutor program.
Helping students is very fulfilling. I am very happy to be a part of the Student
Success Center team.
|