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Welcome to the OC Review! Our focus is to bring you the latest news, updates and changes taking place at the college that impact you and the local community. We look forward to hearing your feedback.
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11/17/2009
 Community volunteer, future Doctor, OC student
Kyra Nathan knew her life’s path at six years old – she wanted to study medicine and work in obstetrics and gynecology. Her career path started after a conversation between Kyra and her mother: her mom told Kyra that she was going to see a "boy doctor" for an appointment. From that point on, Kyra wanted to give women the option to see a female doctor in addition to a male one. Over time, she also became more interested in the development of babies and wanted to educate women on how to take care of their bodies and their babies.
When she got older, she recognized Olympic College could prepare her to study medicine and go in to her chosen field. "I felt (OC) would help me transition into a four year university, with a strong academic foundation. Both my brother and father graduated from OC and are very successful."
While at OC, she has already had her eye on a program at the University of Washington called Molecular, Cellular, and Development Biology and has been taking classes to prepare her for the admissions requirements. So what does Kyra do in addition to attending classes full-time at OC? She works two jobs, attends church, and volunteers in the community.
After she graduates from medical school, she plans to come back to the community where she grew up. She has lived in Kitsap her entire life and wants to give back to the community that has given so much to her.
Read Kyra's complete story online at www.olympic.edu/IAMOC.
The college is working with Washington State University to partner on the last two years of a bachelor’s degree in Engineering. A degree could possibly be offered as early as Fall 2010. OC and WSU have been working together to develop a bachelor’s degree that would serve the needs of local communities. The Kitsap Sun wrote about early discussions with WSU. Visit http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/sep/11/wsu-officials-visit-bremerton-check-out-olympic/ to read more.
More than 355 community members and OC instructors met last year to assess college professional-technical programs. Each of the 25 Professional-Technical Advisory Committees discussed program review (course work, program, and equipment and facilities), program promotion, and job preparation (guest speaker presentations, mock interviews, reviewing business plans,and job shadowing). Advisory committees provide valuable insight to keep programs current and informed of employer needs. For more info on advisory committees, contact 360.475.7484.
Elizabeth Collins, a former student of OC’s Integrated Multimedia program, has published her first book, The Morphients. The story is about creatures, called Morphients, who are part human but can also change their form. They are being exterminated and must fight to survive. An editorial reviewer called the book a "fascinating debut novel." She is currently working on another book and hopes to have it in print next year. The Morphients is available at online booksellers.
Dr. Bob Abel, who teaches applied physics, recently received the Charles L. Derry award from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The award recognizes those that make a lasting and profound impact on the Shipyard’s Apprenticeship program. One of Bob’s efforts was to adapt technology and use humor to encourage student learning in new ways. He created a number of teaching videos and posted them on YouTube so students could use them to study and learn beyond the classroom. To see Bob’s unique teaching videos about physics, visit: http://www.youtube.com/OlympicCollege.
Education is the key to moving forward, to seeking a better job or new career opportunities, and to becoming an informed citizen. At the OC Foundation, with your help, we extend the possibility of achieving an excellent education to more and more students. We know this can change lives. Your end of year gift to the Olympic College Foundation may yield significant tax savings, as well as create an opportunity for a student who may not be able to attend college; it can help a displaced worker learn new job skills; and it can help purchase classroom equipment so students can gain hands-on experience. Your gift can make all the difference. To make an end of year donation and begin changing a life, contact 360.475.7120. 7/20/2009
The Olympic College Foundation will award more than $130,000 in scholarships to new and continuing Olympic College students for the 2009-2010 academic year. Scholarship awards range from $200 to $3,000 per academic year for educational costs. These scholarship funds are made possible by the generosity of community donors who want to make a difference through education. For more information about how to make a difference through education, please call the OC Foundation at 360.475.7120.
Age 38, survivor, proud father, associate degree student
Barry White was raised in an alcoholic and abusive family. He struggled in school and eventually dropped out, taking odd jobs to support him. At age 28, he married his wife and started a new life. With his wife’s support and encouragement, Barry went back to school after 20 years to finish high school and learn a career that would provide a better living for his family. He completed his GED at Olympic College, and at age 38, began pursuing an associate degree in Technical Arts, which he plans to complete in Spring 2010.
After receiving his GED, Barry was hired at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, finally realizing his dream to provide for his family. He is working full-time at the Shipyard while attending Olympic College and balancing responsibilities as a father and husband. In his spare time, he teaches Sunday school and coaches men’s softball.
Looking back, Barry says he never thought he could ever go to college. Now, getting an education has opened up new possibilities. “Olympic College has inspired me to take chances. Life is full of them. If you sit around and wait for something to be handed to you, you’ll never get it. But if you take the chance and the risk, the reward can be great.”
 Olympic College continues to look for ways to bring new four year opportunities to the region. The college is exploring with the University of Washington the possibility of providing Engineering bachelor degrees in the area. OC helped identify students who could participate in focus groups to gauge interest in the program. Other degrees are also being researched. A story appeared in the Kitsap Sun about the college and universities looking into potential degree programs.
 Olympic College is one of the first community and technical colleges in Washington state to develop a sustainability plan that encompasses business operations to teaching in the classroom. Designed to reduce the “footprint” on the planet, the plan goals include reducing waste and conserving energy, teaching in the classroom about sustainability issues, and incorporating “green” practices throughout the institution. One project under development is how to encourage other forms of transportation to and from the college to reduce the amount of carbon emissions from car trips.
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