OCE's Maggie Barklind to retire after 36 years at WWU

Outreach and Continuing Education's Maggie Barklind will retire on Aug. 26 after a 36-year career at Western.

Barklind started as a student employee in the Testing Center. After graduating from Western, she was working in Alaska when her former supervisor called and asked if she wanted a full-time job. Thinking she’d take it for a year and then move to Seattle, an unexpected but wonderful 36-year career unfolded instead. 

Barklind has served in a variety of student and program support service roles at Western, including the Testing Center, Admissions, the Registrar’s Office, and most recently Outreach and Continuing Education, where she oversaw a broad range of administrative and student support services over 20 years. Barklind has been integral in making sure new location programs were vetted through Admissions, Financial Aid, Veterans Affairs, and the Board of Education and making sure Western students' experience in the locations was as seamless as possible. Barklind’s care for the student experience has always extended to providing personal support for both programs and students. Her recent attendance at the graduation of students from Woodring College of Education’s Bilingual Teaching Fellows and the Inclusive Education Teaching Scholars program in Renton is just one example of that concern for the people involved.

Barklind has also been extensively involved in the development of support service structure for international students attending the Intensive English and Global Pathway Programs. Her leadership again extended to the development of many connections and friendships with the international student population. As a supervisor, Barklind has also excelled, fostering many high-performing teams, and supporting the development of future leaders within the organization.

“Throughout Maggie’s career, she has found solutions for the students, faculty, and staff that she has served. This may have involved cake on occasions. When pathways have not been clear, her engagement has always helped projects that enrich the Western community move forward. Maggie will be greatly missed, but her legacy will continue through the outstanding individuals she has mentored,” said Robert Squires, vice provost for Outreach and Continuing Education at Western.

Barklind's colleagues wish her every happiness after a remarkable career at Western Washington University.