Friends of Olympic College Foundation,
This is my first time writing to you as the permanent Executive Director of Olympic College Foundation! I am honored to have been selected for this role, and I look forward to using my skillset, knowledge and propensity for learning to support student access, achievement and success here at OC.
Each month, I’ve been drawing from the “theme cards” I made at the beginning of 2025. My theme for April is growth. What a perfect month for noticing and investing in growth!
One can hardly walk past a tree or shrub without seeing new buds and blossoms each day. I am impressed with the growth happening within Olympic College Foundation, too. (Check out the scholarship statistics below!)
Olympic College is a place where growth happens. Whether through reshaping our futures by obtaining a degree or certificate, or bettering our understanding of the environmental impacts of AI (as I did during a recent OC sponsored Earth Day event), we at OC inspire growth in ourselves and one another.
I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to continue serving the students, staff and faculty at OC in the role of Executive Director. And I appreciate and value the growth I see in myself and others as we work together to support student access, achievement and success.
In gratitude and growth,
Kim
Executive Director
Olympic College Foundation
Student Success Story
Thank you so much for the scholarship! It has allowed me to continue in my schooling to become an RN. This is my 2nd career so I don’t receive other financial aid & as a mom of little ones & low-income, it means a lot! I also plan to continue working in hospice care, currently as a CNA, so I look forward to giving back to the community that’s supported me! With all my gratitude!
OCF Happenings
The OC Foundation funded and participated in several new student orientations for new-to-OC Spring Quarter 2025 enrollees – the first face-to-face orientations since the pandemic! These orientations created valuable opportunities for incoming students to connect with each other and learn about the numerous resources Olympic College (and OC Foundation) offers to support student access, achievement and success! A big thanks to volunteer board members Sharon and Charles for tabling the OCF booth!
This scholarship cycle, Olympic College Foundation had the greatest number of applicants and the highest rate of application completion we’ve ever had! Although this speaks to increased student need, it also reflects several strategic changes made by the OCF scholarship committee and Program Impact Manager Samantha. Here are a few things we’ve implemented this year that have had a positive impact:
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A longer scholarship application window with an extension when we heard there were technology challenges.
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Consistent and diligent advertising of scholarship opportunities via email, via posters on campus and at in person events.
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An easier application process with consolidated questions and an improved application flow.
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Recorded zoom sessions answering frequently asked questions and in person appointments with students to answer logistical application questions.
Check out year-over-year statistics below! Many thanks to Samantha for her work marketing scholarship opportunities and updating the scholarship application process. It’s working!
Our buddy Gifford is excitedly preparing for all of the end-of-year activities that create a vibrant campus life at OC, and we are too!
OC Foundation is honored to support several upcoming annual events including Ranger Appreciation Day, the Staff Spring Awards, and Commencement activities including the Graduate Breakfast and Commencement Reception.
We love celebrating student, staff & faculty success at OC and are delighted to sponsor these events!
Volunteer Spotlight
April’s Volunteer Spotlight features the remarkable Harriette Bryant! Harriette has been on a member of the OC Foundation Board of Directors for the past six years and is currently serving as our liaison to the OC Board of Trustees, where she also invests her time supporting students and Olympic College.
When asked what inspires her as a member of the OCF Board, Harriette said, “Student success is so important to me. I desire to be a resource at the college for our future leaders in K-12 and beyond. OC Foundation is a powerful partner to the college and supports the college community in so many ways.”
Investing in student success at all levels, Harriette mentors over 300 students from 5th grade to high school! She also serves as the Interim Executive Director of the YWCA Kitsap County.
In her spare time (how does she have any?!?!) Harriette enjoys the restorative nature of traveling. She shares her home and heart with her husband Jim and their beloved MaltiPoo “Gucci.”
Thank you, Harriette, for all you give to the Olympic College Foundation in support of our work! We are so grateful for your board service!
