Please join us in congratulating two members of the OLS staff and faculty for receiving the 2021-22 BC Foundation Staff and Faculty Excellence Awards, which recognize outstanding faculty and staff members who demonstrate a commitment to excellence through their contributions to the campus and to the community. Nominations are submitted by students, faculty, administrators, staff, and trustees.
Pilar Lopez, OLS Associate Dean, received the award for Exempt Staff. Pilar joined OLS in 2014 as the Internship Program Manager and became Associate Dean of the program in 2018.
Archana Alwar, OLS Faculty, received the award for Part-Time Faculty. Archana joined Bellevue College in 2022 and was nominated for this award as a faculty member of the Bellevue College World Languages department. Archana joined the OLS program in Spring Quarter 2022.
From all of us at OLS, congratulations Pilar and Archana! These awards are well-deserved honors. Thank you for all you bring to the OLS program and beyond.
Pilar Lopez, Associate Dean, OLS Bellevue College
2021-22 BC Faculty & Staff Excellence Award – Exempt Staff
“Pilar is the lifeline to the program. Her commitment to the students, families and instructors within the OLS community is unparalleled. Pilar cares deeply about the success of each and every student. She is solution-oriented in her approach to the instructors and helps us to create safe and constructive ways to support our students in their success. She is a nimble leader – always willing to be flexible and open-minded. For example, OLS is one of the first cohorts of students to be back in person – she embraced the challenge to serve our students while still petitioning for a grant for an on-line cohort for the program (next fall) as well. Her drive is contagious.”
Archana Alwar, Faculty
2021-22 BC Faculty & Staff Excellence Award – Part-Time Faculty
“Archana is constantly striving to offer new, relevant and practical workshops for faculty so they can become better instructors. She puts her heart and soul to the mentoring program looking for creative ways to truly connect and support adjunct faculty. She researches mentoring practices and is not afraid to new things at the Faculty Commons. Archana goes above and beyond for faculty by being approachable with such a busy workload; it would not have been possible for faculty to be as creative or as resilient without her leadership in the Faculty Commons during the pandemic.”
Occupational & Life Skills (OLS) Bellevue College is an associate degree program for adults with learning disabilities.
In our uniquely supportive skills-based program, students apply academic knowledge through community activities, service learning and social experiences. Students identify a career pathway, gain marketable, workplace-ready competencies, develop better interpersonal skills and complete an internship in alignment with their career goals.
We offer online and on-campus program options so students can learn in the environment of their choice.
Last Updated June 14, 2022