Western Way: Quick honored for commitment to students

Do you work with an outstanding colleague at Western Washington University? The Western Way program provides the opportunity for faculty and staff to recognize the great efforts of others on campus.

Any time throughout the year, folks in the WWU community can visit the Western Way website to recognize a Western employee who demonstrates excellence in serving students, visitors or colleagues, based on the characteristics that make them uniquely Western: inviting, engaging, distinctive, collaborative and adventurous.

Western Way honorees are recognized online on the Western Way Wall of Acknowledgment, in Western Today and in a slideshow at the Employee Recognition Ceremony in April.

Recently recognized was Barb Quick, an assistant director in Academic and Career Development Services, who manages the Tutoring Center. Katrina Buckman, a Tutoring Center coordinator, submitted the following:

Barb’s commitment to supporting Western students in their individual and academic growth is exemplified in the diligence and thoughtfulness with which she runs the Tutoring Center. She attentively listens to suggestions from patrons, student employees, and faculty/staff colleagues, researches best practices, and thoughtfully implements advancements for the betterment of all who work and learn here. Barb has developed many programs which increase collaboration and encourage student empowerment including study groups, focus areas, and coordinated student outreach efforts. Her initiative during her eight years as director has resulted in a tripling in usage, to the extent that the Tutoring Center now touches the lives of nearly half the student body. Never complacent, Barb continues to pursue opportunities to improve student access to and satisfaction with a quality education at Western. Barb instills complete trust and confidence in her staff though her support and advocacy. She encourages advancement through training and professional development, demonstrates the good that we are doing by sharing the statistical data she meticulously manages, and provides a role model of someone who is willing to go the extra mile to help change lives at Western.

To view more information on the nominees to date, visit the Western Way website at http://wp.wwu.edu/westernway.