She is a Pacific Northwest girl at heart, who lived on a fish processing boat in Alaska for 6 months, was a florist, and likes things organized (… she envies Sig’s tool shop for that reason). If you were hired after 2007, you were most likely introduced to the paperwork side of your job by our congenial, fun-loving October Employee of the Month, Gena Merrigan. As Equal Employment Opportunity/Recruitment Coordinator (which she considers the best job on campus), Gena interacts with so many of us – in hiring committees, new employee scheduling with District, verifying documents, filing Worker’s Comp claims, overseeing Faculty surveys and evaluations and much more. Her absolute favorite part of her job is talking to new hires and sharing with them the wonderful news that GWC is a family more than anything else — a coveted aspect of our work environment that is also mentioned by many returning employees.
Growing up in the Seattle area taught Gena to appreciate all types of ethnic foods and cultures. She loves to visit her parents there and loves to cook. After working in the benefits office of a Costco for 10 years, this coffee-lover chose to be a stay-at-home mom for a while before returning to the work force. And once in Southern CA, she spent a short time at the District before coming to our campus in 2007.
Gena loves working with Crystal Crane and President Wes Bryan, and appreciates the immediate access to people in so many areas of expertise. She credits Candace Brenner with changing her kids’ futures after one son was soured on school following a bad experience in 4th grade. Candace invited the family to come on campus to see a science experiment. Both boys were so impressed that Andrew’s attitude totally turned around and Joe can still talk about the details of what they experienced that day. Since that day, Gena has also made sure she says “when you go to college” instead of “if” when talking to her kids, and is just so grateful for the change in their perspectives. Gena, her husband, their daughter Amanda, and the boys are huge supporters of GWC events, including Night at the Races, Science Showtime, Chefs for Scholarships and whatever else they can fit in.
When she isn’t fulfilling her regular duties, you may find Gena as one of the masterminds behind a fabulous Halloween party in the old library, dancing in a flash mob, or working at one of our campus BBQ’s. If you went to the recent Art Sale, you had to get there early to beat Gena – she says that sale is an addiction and makes her husband nervous each fall. It seems there are many others on campus who can relate to that, too.
It’s not surprising that a comment like this would be given in support of Gena: “Gena Merrigan of Personnel is a positive force on campus. She is enthusiastic, professional and is always ready to help. Working with her through the Personnel office takes some of the fear out of processes that can be intimidating.” You don’t have to interact with Gena very long before you are impacted by her effervescent enthusiasm for GWC. Thanks for all you do … we love working (and playing) with you, Gena – Congratulations!
