Greetings OLS Community,
My name is Pilar Lopez, and I am excited to announce that starting October 8, 2018, I will step into the role as Associate Dean of OLS Bellevue College. I have served the Occupational and Life Skills program as the Internship Coordinator since February 2014 and look forward to this new chapter.
During my 4 years as the OLS Internship Coordinator I have worked closely with students during their culminating year at OLS. I have witnessed firsthand the students’ transformation and the personal growth they experience after going through this program. I have had the opportunity to help students connect their classroom learning to the real world, which has given me a unique perspective to offer suggestions to improve our curriculum and adapt it to the needs of the market. We are very intentional in the way we facilitate courses and activities, and that is something I want to continue to improve on and promote in our program.
I have been working in the field of inclusion and diversity in society, and, more specifically, businesses since 2008. In addition to my extensive background working with adults with learning disabilities, I have a professional background in human resources management and training and development which has aided me in building connections with local businesses for specific aspects of our program including internships, course-related activities, student volunteering, and employment opportunities.
I value neurodiversity, and I’m an active promoter of inclusion. I come from a place of understanding and empathy for the struggles students and their families have in the journey to adulthood. I’m a firm believer in the power of self-determination and inner motivation, and I will continue to nurture these values among our students and staff. We will set high expectations, we will expect the best from every student, and we will support their effort to be the best they can be.
As Christine Gregoire said: “Education is the foundation upon which we build our futures.” The OLS program is one of the strongest foundations I’ve ever encountered. It is my goal to continue the growth of the program so the future of our students becomes exceptional.
I am thrilled to step into my new role as Associate Dean of OLS Bellevue College, and I look forward to working hard to ensure the success of our students and program.
Pilar Lopez
Associate Dean, OLS Bellevue College
Pilar holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in English Literature and Linguistics from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and earned her Masters in Human Resources, Training, and Development from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. She has held a variety of roles in business including human resources, management, retail operations, and consultation, and over the last 15 years she developed inclusive play programs at schools and disability awareness fairs that aimed to help people better understand what living with a disability is like.
Last Updated October 8, 2018