Bates Technical College students Justyna Nowak, Dental Lab Technician, and Tia Sundberg, Administrative Office Assistant, were selected as members of this year’s All-Washington Academic Team for their academic achievement and community service.
Sammamish resident Nowak learned of dental lab technology from a family friend. After a job change, she decided to pursue a degree in the field. Nowak, who travels 100 miles a day to attend classes, earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2002, but her dream was to land a job where she could use her creativity and information technology skills. For her, the Dental Lab Technician program fit the bill. She is on track to graduate this summer.
Before coming to Bates, Sundberg worked in retail for 17 years. Seeking a change, the Spanaway resident enrolled in the Administrative Office Assistant program. Sundberg’s newly-acquired expertise helped her land a job as an office manager at a landscaping company, where she uses her skills to help the business run more smoothly. The mother of three will graduate this spring, and she credits online courses with helping her finish the two-year program in just one year.
As members of the All-Washington Academic Team, both Nowak and Sundberg will receive a $250 scholarship sponsored by KeyBank, and will have the opportunity to receive other scholarship awards. In addition, nearly every Washington state public and private four-year college offers scholarships to the All-Washington team members.
Nowak, Sundberg and other top scholars from the state’s 34 community and technical colleges will be presented with their medallions at noon on March 24 at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Wash.
?