How would one describe Jan Harmon? COLORFUL! She’s a creative artist who loves computer programming… a gardener who raises gourds in her back yard with which to create baskets and other works of art… a mother of 3 sons and a daughter, who has been married for 42 years and is now raising 2 grandchildren… and a horse and cat-lover who recently surprised herself by giving her heart unreservedly to a dog — Buster, a border collie, who is learning fly-ball and taking her for walks each day. She is one of the founding members of the Hens & Chickens Quilting Fellowship which supports campus improvements and student scholarships, and a very proud GWC graduate. Whew! You may see her showing off the quilt and selling raffle tickets each year at this time at the Progressive Munchie festivities and other events.
Multi Media Specialist Jan Harmon (another OCC “steal” and So CA native), is being honored as our November 2009 Employee of the Month, and justifiably so. It is said of her, “Jan is a delight to work with. As a trainer to faculty, she creates a nurturing and non-threatening learning environment. She is results-oriented and doesn’t give up until solutions to problems are found…her positive ‘can-do’ attitude has solved more than one problem that has even stumped the so-called publishing experts.” She shares that she feels that teachers are the most important people on earth, touching so many lives in the course of a day, week or year. And, to be able to support faculty in their calling gives her a great sense of fulfillment. She may not have the answer, but she will find it! She cherishes the creativity that is encouraged and abounds in the Online Instruction Department, and considers the value GWC places on their people a treasured aspect of working on our campus. She glows when she shares her favorite part of working in Online Instruction – the collaborative nature of the team, and that is borne out in a quote from a recommendation received for her: “This department truly works as a team. They make it a point to always have someone available during working hours to help faculty and students. Never does one get the answer, ‘That’s not my job.’ …they all represent the epitome of true team spirit and unity.” Jan certainly exemplifies that commitment to excellence.
Jan started her 20 year career with the district as a part-timer in Admissions & Records at OCC in 1983 and got her first job at GWC in 1989. Returning to OCC as Secretary in Computer Support Services, she took programming courses while working, and got some WebCT experience, too. That foundation prepared her to move into her position in our Online Instruction Department in 2004 – something she calls ‘serendipity’ with a broad smile on her face. It seems the excitement she discovered in her first programming project of making an airplane fly from one end of the computer screen to the other has never left her, and you can feel that joy and satisfaction when you visit her in her delightfully decorated office…gourds included, of course.
It’s a pleasure to congratulate you, Jan, on your selection as Employee of the Month. Thank you for your excellent and varied service to our campus community. We are so grateful to have you as a part of our GWC family!
