JENNY GARCIA-BARRERA
North Cascade Institute
Bellingham, WA and Seattle, WA,WA
1
Language
1
Certification
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Coordinator
1 Year 2 Months- Served as the initial contact at Orca Central, delivering patient, student-centered service in both English and Spanish while managing multiple responsibilities and supporting student employees.
- Handled inbound and outbound communications, providing accurate program information and facilitating referrals to campus and community resources.
- Addressed student inquiries regarding enrollment, financial aid, and student records, and supported onboarding for new students and families navigating the college system for the first time.
- Maintained and updated student data using tools such as CTCLink, Starfish, Navigate 360, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Created accessible publications for office use, mailings, and campus distribution.
- Supported departments including Advising, Financial Aid, and TRIO & Student Support Services by coordinating appointments, managing in-person and virtual drop-in advising, and providing timely, relevant information.
- Assisted students with applications for Transitional Learning, ESOL, Adult Basic Education, High School Completion, and GED programs.
- Orca Central
Outdoor Educator
1 Year 6 Months- Led 5-8-day backpacking and canoeing trips for students in grades 8-12 in the North Cascade National Park, connecting students with the natural world while facilitating discussions on climate change and climate solutions
- Broke down language barriers for Spanish-speaking students by providing bilingual instruction and support, increasing access to outdoor education for underrepresented youth
- Created bilingual resources in Spanish and English to foster an inclusive environment for all students on our trips and better prepare instructors in the field
- Fostered an inclusive and welcoming environment that supported students in learning new outdoor skills
- Educated students on Indigenous tribal lands, incorporating land acknowledgment and Native history
- Taught Leave No Trace principles to promote responsible, sustainable outdoor recreation habits
- Guided students through stewardship projects in collaboration with National Park Service staff
- Youth Leadership Adventures
Graduate Assistant
2 Years 5 Months- Promoted to Graduate Assistant after 2 years as a Program Support Senior Lead Staff, taking on expanded administrative and mentorship responsibilities
- Co-chaired the Latine Affinity Group and Social Media Committee, building community and representation for staff
- Onboarded new staff and mentored undergraduate students, supporting their personal growth within the program
- Assisted the program director in coordinating Tour Day, C2C's largest event, hosting 1,000+ local students and educators on WWU's campus
- Organized culturally responsive school visits for more than 155 students, tailoring outreach to meet community needs
- Conducted Spanish-speaking tours for Latinx Students and families, guiding them through financial aid, student life, and the college application process
- Developed bilingual resources to expand access to program information for Spanish-speaking students and families
- Collaborated with campus partners including La Plaza, Latino Men in Higher Education, Baile Folkloric SMATE, and the DRR office
- Reviewed and processed mentor program data to track outcomes and inform program improvements
- Compass 2 Campus
GEAR UP Site Lead
7 Months- Empowered students by facilitating their exploration of diverse post-secondary programs through college visits, workshops, and partnerships with local higher education institutions.
- Maintained student information up to date.
- Managed student and family communications regarding upcoming deadlines and events.
- Connected with families about post-secondary options and guided them through the college application and financial aid processes.
- Collaborated with local non-profit organizations to address student needs and provide relevant opportunities.
- Offered tutoring and mentorship to students while fostering strong relationships.
- Worked with colleagues to plan field trips and events aligned with grant objectives.
- Served as Co-Advisor for BEHS Latino Student Union.
- GEAR UP
Education
Master of Education - Adult and Higher Education
Bachelor of Arts - Human Services
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Skills
Office 365 | CTCLink | Navigate360 | Canvas | Social Media Management
Program management
Project Management
Office management
Problem Solving
Mentorship | Resource Curation
Fluent in Spanish
Strong Communication
Team collaboration
Mental health training
Problem Solving
Project Management
Certification
Mental Health First Aid | De-Escalation Training | Trauma-Informed Care | DVSAS ACT Training | CITI Social and Behavioral Research Certification
Languages
Fluent in Spanish
Timeline
Program Coordinator
Whatcom Community College
09.2025 - CurrentRead More
Outdoor Educator
North Cascade Institute
05.2025 - CurrentRead More
GEAR UP Site Lead
Burlington Edison High School
01.2024 - 08.2024Read More
Graduate Assistant
Western Washington University
01.2023 - 06.2025Read More
Western Washington University
Master of Education from Adult and Higher Education
Read More
Western Washington University
Bachelor of Arts from Human Services
Read More
Bellevue College
Associate of Arts from General Studies
Read More