American Association of Women in Community Colleges - PCC Chapter

Member Profiles

Send In Your Profile

If you are an AAWCC member and would like to be profiled, please fill out this questionnaire and email it to Karen Sorensen along with a photo (she can take your photo if you don't have one, but you'll have to meet her at Sylvania Campus. Call her to make arrangements: 503-977-4720.)

Profile Index

Thank you to these members who have shared some of their backgrounds, interests and insights with us.

Kat Arno
Jennifer Alkezweeny
Cherie Chevalier
DeAnne Hardy
Meryl Lipman
Jennifer Piper
Heidi Wilcox

Kat Arno

What is your job at PCC?: I have worked for PCC Sylvania since 2005. I began my adventure here as a student working as the Managing Director of Finance for ASPCC. After obtaining my AS from PCC, I was hired as professional staff for ASPCC as the assistant to the Student Leadership Coordinator, Cami Bishop. In 2008, I was promoted to the Dean of Student Development office at Sylvania as the assistant to Diane Mulligan. I remain in this same position to this day and love working for the college.
What job did you do before coming to PCC?: Since the late 1970’s I worked as a professional ski bum at several Utah ski resorts. I worked my way up from being a lift operator to management. Of course, my main job responsibility was to ski at least five days per week! Let me tell you, it was rough! If you believe me, when I say it was a bummer to ski so much, than you are nuts.
What challenges (work/personal) have you overcome?: One of the biggest challenges of my life has been to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business. Life keeps throwing curve balls and I don’t seem to be able to reach the goal. However, I will never give up, even if it takes me to until I am 92.
What motivates you?: My beloved English Bulldog Daisy and Amazon Parrot Bella; without their love and friendship, life would be boring. They don’t care how late I come home, are always happy to see me, don’t care what I look like and love me unconditionally. I must say, I have never found a relationship with a human that felt the same.
What book is on your nightstand?: “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” by Dee Brown
Would you recommend it?: Definitely I would recommend this book, but with caution. It is a non-fiction historical account of the late 19th century Native American wars with the United States. It is graphic, depressing and does not have a happy ending. However, I feel it may be one of the most accurate accounts of the way native peoples were abused, lied to and murdered almost to extinction. It was difficult for me to read the book cover to cover because what happened in our history broke my heart. My caution is if you can handle such a depressing description of that era in this country’s history. FYI, the HBO movie that was released in 2008 is nothing like the book.
Do you have a favorite movie?: I have several favorite movies. I don’t think I could ever pick just one. I love happy endings, love stories, smart comedies, action without bloody violence, dramas, live theatre and most of all, I am a Trekie! Count me in to see anything pertaining to the Star Trek franchise.
What’s a goal (work or personal) you have recently achieved or are working towards? We’d love to hear about it if you want to share.: Besides completing my degree before I die, my goal is to travel to every one of Oregon’s Vineyards that will let me taste their exquisite artful bounty. If I finish that goal, maybe I will try Washington state’s vineyards too. On a more serious note, I love helping people and being a nerd. If I can use my nerdiness to help others, that is even better.

Jennifer Alkezweeny

PCC was recently named to the 2007 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. This is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. Jennifer Alkezweeny is the Service-Learning Coordinator for PCC and in honor of this distinction, we got to know her a little better by asking her some questions…………….

How long have you worked at PCC?: I’ve been working at PCC for 3 years.
What jobs have you had at PCC?: I’ve been the Service-Learning Coordinator the entire time. (Fall 2008: Jennifer is now the Assistant Director of International Education.)
What challenges have you overcome? Personal challenges? Work challenges?: Hmmm…..I’ve led a pretty charmed life. Can’t say I’ve had too many challenges. Odd last name? Does that count?
What motivates you?: Wow, lots of things motivate me. I guess helping others is the common theme. Chocolate is a good second.
What book is on your nightstand?: I have a pile of books on my nightstand. I’m a new homeowner so there is always a home improvement-type book. Right now, I’m trying to plan my landscaping so there are several books on shade gardens, flowers, edible landscape… The latest Utne magazine is also there. Great way to read snippets from a variety of sources. I also love reading about how our brains work. Right now I’m reading “A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness” and “When Elephants Weep” which isn’t about human brains, but about animal emotions. Also in the stack “Field Notes on the Compassionate Life”, “Angie’s List Magazine”.
Would you recommend it?: I’d recommend them all.
Do you have a favorite movie?: Lots of favorites: “Roman Holiday”, “Amelie”, “Rain Man”, “What Dreams May Come”
What’s a goal you have recently achieved or are working towards? We’d love to hear about it if you want to share.: I have things I’m working on and making progress toward. For one, taking better care of myself: going to the gym most days, taking fun community ed classes, taking Spanish, actually eating lunch away from my desk, I’m sure there are more…but I guess those would be the ones I’m not making progress on if I can’t remember them.

Cherie Chevalier

What is your job at PCC?: Associate Vice President for Finance.
What job did you do before coming to PCC?: Chief Financial Officer for Springfield, Missouri School District. I was responsible for Finance and all Administrative (Support) Services.
What challenges (work/personal) have you overcome?: Raised two children who are now wonderful adults; moved from Washington to Missouri to Oregon - lots of culture change!
What motivates you?: Being productive, making a difference in both work and personal areas, people.
What book is on your nightstand?: I love mysteries. Dick Francis is my favorite author. However, I read a wide variety. Currently I'm reading a book on the ph factor and how it relates to health, a mystery novel, and a book of daily devotionals.
Do you have a favorite movie?: I like movies with happy endings, family oriented. One of my favorites is Enchanted April.
What's a goal (work or personal) you have recently achieved or are working towards?: Becoming a Baldrige Examiner last year, and joining PCC this year. Getting into Higher Ed has been a several year goal.

DeAnne Hardy

What is your job at PCC?: I wear a few different hats my title is Assistant Career Services Coordinator. This title includes Student Employment & Cooperative Education Specialist and Job Fair Co-Coordinator
What job did you do before coming to PCC?: Prior to PCC? Hmmm…. I have three prior to PCC jobs, because I have come and gone that many times. I worked for the Urban League of Portland when I got my first job with PCC which was with Steps to Success at the Portland Metro Workforce Training Center. Then I taught English for a University in Huauchinango, Puebla Mexico “Universidad de la Sierra”. When I came back I worked at GoalPost through PMWTC. Then I left and taught English at Tec de Monterray Campus Hidalgo - in Pachuca Hidalgo Mexico. When I came back I worked out at Washington County Workforce Training Center for WIA. Phew! I also have some side jobs I used to teach Tribal Belly dance for PCC Community Ed and now I teach Zumba for Community Ed and a couple other places too.
What challenges (work/personal) have you overcome?: A work challenge was making the transition from being an AP in a workforce development program and becoming an AP on campus. Even though the skill sets are nearly the same within these positions it was hard to get people to see that. I believe a number of other people who have made that transition have encountered the same thing. I took a .5 position so that I could get on a campus, it was that important to me. I had always wanted to work with students on a campus. One of my current challenges is balancing work, family (2 little boys age 6 & 4), household responsibilities, my little side job and wanting to go back and get my masters degree. I’m sure I’ll make it happen, its just coming up with the right equation to balance it all. I’m constantly playing with the figures.
What motivates you?: I have always wanted work that I find fulfilling, so that is one of my major motivators. I am also very motivated by social justice or maybe the motivation is injustice and have always tried to figure out how I can have any kind of impact when it comes to oppression of people. I think those are two of my underlying motivators that have been part of me for a long time. A newer motivator in my life would be my two boys.
What book is on your nightstand?: He he he…. Several children’s books including the book “Everything you ever wanted to Know” by Google (children’s book). The Nanny Diaries, which I started and didn’t like and there it sits and the book “The Hundred Secret Senses” by Amy Tan which is really good!
Would you recommend it?: I guess I answered part of this…The Amy Tan book yes… and the Google book for children, it has projects to go with the different things you learn about in the book.
Do you have a favorite movie?: I’m not one for watching movies repeatedly; there are only a few that I have, so I guess those are my favorites. Como Agua Para Chocolate, West Side Story, The Color Purple, Labyrinth, Get on the Bus and The House of Spirits.
What's a goal (work or personal) you have recently achieved or are working towards?: In August of 07 I took a training to become a Zumba teacher and afterwards I decided I wanted to teach Zumba, which is fitness dance and if you know me you know I’m not slim, not only that I’m about 40 pounds overweight. So to have the goal of teaching fitness dance may not seem typical. However it was my goal so I started with Tualatin Valley Park and Rec and I had to audition which was really scary…super scary especially facing the possibility of rejection and part of it could be because of my weight (which is something I’ve struggled with my whole life). It is really interesting how I get cheerleaders in my life at the times I decide to do scary stuff (like when I went to live in Mexico and didn’t speak Spanish). My aerobics instructor and friend at the gym was my cheerleader she really encouraged me to do it, so I did. And I got the job. Then I contacted community ed to purpose this new class, once again a little scary. Then my aerobics instructor at 24 hour fitness said I should teach for them. I thought why not. I found this even more frightening then the other audition, because of the stigmatisms and stereotypes I have associated with gyms. When the Coordinator came in she sized me and with a disappointing tone said “oh you’re DeAnne”, not a good start. However, I put on a smile and went for it. Well she stopped me half way through the second song “muevelo” a student favorite. She said she had seen enough and gave me a test to take. I ended up giving her the test back and said that I answered what I could. I knew I didn’t get it and sure enough I didn’t. Then I got a lead on Bally Total Fitness and I’m not sure why but I went for it again. Many friends couldn’t believe it, since I had the other bad gym experience. I remember being out in my car taking deep breaths to calm my nerves and I had gotten some feedback from my Aerobics instructor friend so I followed that. Well, this audition went so much better and the coordinator was super real and nice and I’ve been teaching for them since June of 08. At one point I had the goal of teaching Zumba on my own, however after realizing how much time and money it would take to market, I reevaluated that goal. Currently, I teach four classes a week, when they are all in session.

Meryl Lipman

What is your job at PCC?

PR/Community Relations Manager, Rock Creek Campus.

What job did you do before coming to PCC?

Worked for 5 years as an employment specialist for PCC Steps to Success Non-Native Employment and Training, helping connect Russian and Somalian refugees with jobs, internships, ESOL classes and training opportunities. Before that I taught cultural competency for the Belarusian Institute of Culture in Minsk, did project coordination in Russia, and spent 5 years in tourism marketing and development in Oregon, Washington and California.

What challenges (work/personal) have you overcome?

Earning a masters degree in writing over four years, simultaneously working full time and helping my dad take care of my chronically ill mother in another state.
Deciding for personal, medical, and socio-political reasons not to have children.
Becoming a smart, safe, advanced level skydiver.

What motivates you?

The multitude of opportunities available to live life to the fullest and make a positive difference.

What book is on your nightstand?

The World Without Us by Alan Weisman and Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama.

Would you recommend it?

I’m fascinated by both but more involved in The World Without Us.

Do you have a favorite movie?

Three foreign films: Window on Paris (France/Russia), The Gigolo (Italy/Russia) and Life is Beautiful (Italy). Two American: The Shawshank Redemption and What Dreams May Come.

What’s a goal (work or personal) you have recently achieved or are working towards?

To sell my book, a family memoir structured around my most interesting parachute jumps, entitled Confessions of A Naked Skydiver.

To be wise and serene.

To be productive and successful while remaining humble and grateful.

To find the love of my life. :)

Jennifer Piper

What is your job at PCC?: Sports Facilities Supervisor
What job did you do before coming to PCC?: Head Softball Coach, Physical Ed. Instructor, Fall Intramural Coordinator
What challenges (work/personal) have you overcome?: Remodeling my 1920’s Bungalow
What motivates you?: The synergy of people working together.
What book is on your nightstand?: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
Would you recommend it?: I would highly recommend it.
Do you have a favorite movie?: Something’s Gotta Give

Heidi Wilcox

What is your job at PCC?: I am the new Annual Fund and Alumni Coordinator
What job did you do before coming to PCC?: I was the Development Director at Cedarwood Waldorf School for the last three years. I have also worked in development for the YWCA and United Way.
What challenges (work/personal) have you overcome?: I love challenges – as the first Development Director in a fairly young school, I had to start everything from scratch. It was time consuming but I learned a lot about many different things.
What motivates you?: Learning! I’m always looking for better ways to do things. That is why I feel so fortunate to be working at PCC.
What book is on your nightstand?: Donor Centered Fund Raising
Would you recommend it?: This is a must read for people working in fund raising.
Do you have a favorite movie?: Hmmmmmm....no.
What's a goal (work or personal) you have recently achieved or are working towards?: I’m working towards my Certification as a Fund Raising Executive. I’ve met all the professional requirements and plan to sit for the exam next fall. It is expensive to take the exam ($600) so I want to be sure I’m ready. I haven’t taken a test since my college days!