Staff
Our TRiO Director: Donna Richardson
“I learned to ‘juggle’ as a first generation, nontraditional full-time college student who was a single mom, had three jobs and no family in the town I moved to for school. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be at times, but I also know the incredible sense of accomplishment that comes with attaining both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree. And I know that if I can do it, you can too! I am also a closet tap dancer (honest). You need to remember to keep a sense of humor when you’re tired and ‘snowed under.’ Through TRiO/Support Services, I can help you learn strategies to make time, assignments and even test taking more manageable (you have to learn to tap dance on your own).”
Prior to coming to BMCC, Donna worked for the University of Wyoming where she was the Coordinator of the Adult Student Center/Women’s Center, as well as a Retention Specialist for the TRiO/SSS program. She has a B.S. in Geography/Natural Resource Management and an M.A. in Adult/Post-Secondary Education from the University of Wyoming.
Our TRiO Advisor: Tanna Rosales
“I know firsthand how difficult and overwhelming college can be. I struggled personally, financially and academically through my first year of college and heard many times that I wasn’t ‘college material.’ After failing my freshman year, I spent the next four years (on-campus and through distance education) working to prove myself and bring up my GPA. Through my own determination and a lot of support, I made it and went on for a Master’s degree, with A’s in all but one class!
I am so happy to be a part of TRiO and have the chance to share my experiences and lessons with others. If you need academic advice, help with course planning or transferring to a four-year college, or just need someone to listen or be your cheerleader, I’m here. You can achieve your goals!”
Tanna grew up in John Day and lived in the Seattle area prior to coming to BMCC, where she attended graduate school and worked as a computer lab assistant, freelance web page designer and ESL instructor and tutor. She has a B.A. in Liberal Studies from Eastern Oregon University and an M.A. TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Seattle Pacific University
Our TRiO Professional Tutor: Camie Britt
“I am very excited to be here in TRiO! I love helping people accomplish their goals. I started classes at BMCC in Math 025 at age 38 with two kids in high school, and worked my way up. It took me four years to finish my degree. Part of that time, my daughter and I were both in the same classes. We walked at graduation together in 2005. What a wonderful feeling it was! It was one of the best decisions I ever made and the struggle was worth it.
“I took a wide range of classes, from philosophy to accounting, and I am ready to help you in your journey toward success. I am looking forward to getting to know you. I would also enjoy talking about horses and gathering cows in the mountains – ask me to show you my two best buddies (horses). They help keep me balanced and sane.”
Camie has lived in the Pendleton area for 22 years. She worked part time as a bookkeeper for her husband’s logging business for 16 years as she raised her children. She graduated from BMCC in 2005 with an A.A.O.T. and plans to continue her education.
Our TRiO Program Assistant: Sandra Schnelle
“After working at BMCC for over three years in the Human Resources department, I wanted to work more closely with students. TRiO is such an active place, bursting with energy and brains in action, with students hurdling all sorts of roadblocks to achieve their goals. It is invigorating just to be here.
I regret never having completed a degree myself and hope to help encourage others to make the struggle to follow their hopes and dreams, whatever they may be. I will be taking some classes that will help me in my work, and others that I find just plain interesting – what a treat!”
Sandra has made a zig-zag journey to end up in Pendleton and the Northwest. Prior to coming to BMCC, she owned and operated a small secretarial service on the island of Maui, worked in Human Resources at the world’s first full-scale facility built to destroy chemical weapons (which was located on Johnston Atoll “somewhere” in the Pacific Ocean and one of the most isolated land masses on earth) , and worked in other locations spanning the country.
Disability Services