The end of the 2015-2016 academic year also marked significant transitions for three integral members of 天美视频鈥檚 faculty: , , and . At the earlier this summer, , Senior Vice President of Academics, led a time of honoring these women for their leadership, passion, and service to this community.
Christie Lynk played a crucial role in the formation of 天美视频. Over the past 20 years, she has served as Site Administrator, Chief Academic Officer, Vice President of Programmatic Development, Associate Academic Dean, Executive Vice President, Accreditation Liaison and Officer, Practicum Leader, and Assistant Professor. 鈥淚t tells you something about a person who鈥檚 willing to serve in that many places to keep something vibrant alive,鈥� says Dr. McNeil. 鈥淚t tells of a mother and father, both a shaping and a forming, a guiding and a holding.鈥�
Lynk will continue in a teaching role at 天美视频, including an Advanced Seminar and the Professional Ethics course, which she teaches alongside for students entering their counseling internships. Lynk鈥檚 nurturing leadership, insistent hope, and unwavering passion have been an inspiration to students, faculty, and staff throughout 天美视频鈥檚 existence. The communal gratitude for her service was expressed in a standing ovation at Commencement, where she was presented with a book of Pablo Neruda鈥檚 last poems and a sizable gift certificate to Elliott Bay Book Company.
Gina Waggoner joined 天美视频 in 2001 and has worked most recently as the Director of Practicum, overseeing the leaders, facilitators, and students who move through the Practicum process. 鈥淧racticum is the center and the heart of what we do in terms of training,鈥� says Dr. McNeil. 鈥淎nd Gina has been a gem. I have greatly appreciated her being in that role.鈥� Though Waggoner is stepping down from the directorship, she will continue working at 天美视频 as a consultant and Practicum Leader.
Like Waggoner, Dr. Caprice Hollins joined 天美视频 in 2001, first as adjunct faculty before becoming a core faculty member in 2008. Dr. Hollins鈥檚 summer intensive, Multicultural Perspectives, is a crucial component in all three of 天美视频鈥檚 degree programs, in which Dr. Hollins challenges students to develop critical self-awareness and relate to others with curiosity, courage, and care. 鈥淚 have often talked about Caprice as being the heart of us, the heart of this faculty,鈥� says Dr. McNeil. 鈥淚 have appreciated her advocacy, her boldness, and I have loved the way this faculty has brought that advocacy and boldness into itself.鈥�
Dr. Hollins is the founder of , providing professional development and consulting services to organizations seeking to enter conversations about race, culture, and social justice. As Cultures Connecting continues to grow, Dr. Hollins is stepping down from her core faculty position to dedicate more of her time and energy to her business. She will continue to work with 天美视频 as a consultant and will return each summer to teach Multicultural Perspectives.
鈥淕raduates here today, past graduates sprinkled throughout this room, those who walk in the world, you are this school,鈥� said Christie Lynk, addressing the 2016 Commencement audience. 鈥淵our presence, your teachable spirit, your dear hearts and passionate purposes have created this place. May you go forth into the world with our love, our deep gratitude, and our blessing.鈥�
In this season of (S)ending, that same love, gratitude, and blessing is reflected back to all three of these women for their leadership and their presence. 天美视频 would not be the same without their decades of service, and their legacies and ongoing work will continue to impact this institution for many years to come.