Page 10 - Sankofa News Winter Qtr Issue 9 Evergreen Alumni

ALUMN A

Nat asha Lemke

"In some ways I was a late bloomer. When I attended
college the first time, I spent no time making friends or
getting involved with anything other than my school
work. It wasn't until my daughter was in Kindergarten
that I started to really consider the impact of
education, not only for the individual self but for the
community as a whole. I wanted to make a difference
in the world beyond the commission/sales job I was in
at the time and so back to school I went!

I headed to TCC where I earned my Associates in
Applied Science - Human Services degree. Through the
mentorship I received and the prompting to take my
education further, I happened upon the Evergreen
State College Tacoma program. How lucky was I?! The

Tacoma program was a game changer. I met people
that were really excited about making a difference and
bringing light to the oppressive systems that folks in our community are immersed in
every day, sometimes without realizing it. Through the socratic learning style and group
work I learned even further how to work with people with diverse perspectives, how to
listen, and most importantly how to problem solve. The faculty were like none I had
ever had the pleasure of learning from before.

When I graduated from the Evergreen State College in 2018, I worked closely with
faculty and staff completing qualitative research as part of a strategic planning
committee; focusing on identifying and communicating the needs of the Tacoma
program. From there I worked with the previous Student Services Coordinator, Vicky
Buford, recruiting and assisting current students, eventually taking over the position. I
started the Masters In Public Administration program in 2019 but had to take leave due
to my father's illness. I learned so much working with the students at Evergreen
Tacoma and loved helping them discover the beauty of the Sankofa culture.

Just this month I accepted the position of Assistant Director of Admissions for Equity
and Access at Pacific Lutheran University where I look forward to continuing to help
folks in the margins realize the possibility of higher education.

My advice to anyone reading this would be to recognize the power within yourself,
whether you're a late bloomer or not. We all have something to offer the world even if
it takes us a little while to figure out what that is."