Stephanie Baron (Pre-Health Advising Only)
Hometown: Gig Harbor, Washington
Education: B.A. in Communication, Western Washington University and M.Ed. in Student Development Administration, Seattle University
Why I like my job: I love to hear each student’s unique story about their educational and career goals.
Advice for students: Manage your time well and see your advisor often! If you are pursuing a degree in the health field, make sure you take the time to gain some experience (shadow, volunteer, etc) in your chosen profession and understand the admissions process.
Favorite restaurant or food: Italian
Favorite book: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Favorite movie: Dead Poet’s Society
Favorite sports team, sport you like to play, or hobby: Watching football, especially the Seattle Seahawks and UW Huskies
Most memorable experience in college: Working as a student in the admissions and orientation office at Western Washington University and talking to prospective students about the institution.
Favorite outdoor or indoor activity: Skiing
Lauren Berry
Hometown: Tinton Fall, NJ
Education: B.A Government and International Politics with a minor in African American Studies and M.Ed in Higher Education
Why I like my job: I love helping students see what are the possibilities. I also know that I’m wher.e I’m today because people where invested in my learning and growth as a student. At the same time, I really love showing students how to navigate college and how to use the resources at their institution to help them obtain their goals.
Advice for students: F.A.I.L equals your first attempt in learning. Please know that in life, you can fail but it is how your pick yourself up and what lessons that you learned, that really matter. At the same time this is your experience but know that sometimes even the best laid plans can be enhanced by trying a different path or direction.
Favorite restaurant or food: I love Olive Garden. I’m a huge foodie, but OG is like comfort food for me.
Favorite book: Depend on my mood and if I’m trying to read fiction or nonfiction.
Favorite movie: Anything with Shah Rukh Khan. I have watched Dilwale at least 4 times in the last three months and countless others.
Favorite sports team, sport you like to play, or hobby: I love to play tennis, softball, volleyball and I love watching most sports. I’m trying to get into the Premier League and I have a personal goal to understand cricket and rugby. I’m a huge UFC fan.
Most memorable experience in college: When my school went to the NCAA Basketball tournament and we where known as the Cinderella team. It was the first time a team from our conference made it to final four. However personally, I loved all the leadership positions that I had the opportunity to participate in. It was cool to be involved and active on my campus.
Favorite outdoor or indoor activity: You can catch me watching tv, going to a Zumba class or cooking.
Rachael Gilchrist
Hometown: Martinez, California
Education: M.A. English with TESOL Certification, B.A. Hispanic Civilization, A.A. Liberal Arts
Why I like my job: I love helping students realize their dreams.
Advice for students: Take advantage of the activities and resources you have here: the support services, such as the Quantitative Skills Center, to give you an edge, clubs to get you connected and involved, Study abroad to change your life and perspective, Career Services to help prepare for after you graduate, etc.
Favorite restaurant: Café Turko in Fremont
Favorite book: I am an avid book reader- difficult to choose a favorite right now.
Favorite hobbies: I love to experiment with cooking, drink tea, and learn and share about nutrition and health, especially about microbes these days.
Most memorable experience in college: Living and teaching in Spain while I was in graduate school.
Favorite Washington activity: Exploring the Fremont neighborhood- visiting the Troll, the Rocket, taking the chocolate tour at Theos.
Norm Wright
Hometown: Bremerton, Washington
Education: B.A. Geography at Central Washington University with minors in Mathematics and Environmental Studies; M.Ed in Student Affairs Administration at Western Washington University. I was the first person in my family to attend college.
Why I like my job: I get to meet new people every day and help students move closer to their goals.
Advice for students: The campus is full of people wanting you to succeed. It’s OK to ask for help. Some students believe they are supposed to solve their own problems because they are in college. You only need to ask…the sooner the better.
Favorite restaurant: Most buffets make my list. Pen Thai and Hana Sushi on Main Street Bothell are my local favorites.
Favorite book: Armor by John Steakley
Favorite movie: Toss-up between Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and The Fellowship of the Rings Trilogy
Favorite Hobby or Activity: I enjoy jogging with a personal goal to participate in a 5k event each month.
Favorite college activity: Working as a Resident Assistant and Manager in the Residence Halls. These jobs introduced me to the possibility of a career in higher education.
Favorite Washington activity: Taking in the sites at Pike Place Market