Local Everett College campus director spreading the word

From his attendance at chamber meetings to joining the Monroe Rotary Club, new Everett Community College East County Campus Director Mostafa Ghous has been immersing himself in the Monroe and greater Sky Valley communities.

Ghous was hired to replace former director Rob Prosch, who was promoted to Associate Dean of Aviation and relocated to Paine Field in January. Currently living in south Everett, Ghous recently moved to Washington from Berkeley, California, where he was the Director of Campus Life and Student Activities at Berkeley City College. He also managed outreach and retention services, worked to foster student engagement, was the student government advisor and was heavily involved in campus safety.-á -á

"Everett Community College is fortunate to be able to recruit exceptional talent like Mostafa,GÇ¥ said Dean of Business and Applied Technology Ryan Davis in a news release. "His passion for student success and community engagement make him the perfect fit to take our campus in Monroe to the next level.GÇ¥

Ghous holds two associate degrees, a Bachelor of Science in information systems management and a master's degree in educational administration and leadership with an emphasis on student affairs. As a part of his master's program, he was tasked with completing a culminating research project, which studied the effects of college on undocumented students.-á

He conducted his research at a small college in California, where Ghous found himself intrigued by the dedication of undocumented students. They worked hard to achieve academic success, earning associate and bachelor's degrees, even though it was completely possible their undocumented status would preclude them from ever obtaining employment.

He wanted to know what inspired them to continue, and was surprised by what he learned.

"They rely on hope,GÇ¥ Ghous said.-á

The students he interviewed for his project told him the promise of citizenship is what continually motivated them to achieve academic success. They had hope that someday a pathway to legal citizenship might somehow become available to them.

His work with undocumented students continued. Just a few years later, Ghous successfully co-authored a $10,000 grant through the Dalai Lama Foundation, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to peace and ethics. The funding was awarded to Berkeley City College and used to create an undocumented student resource center.

"It was sort of a resource center where students and their families could come in and get information,GÇ¥ Ghous said. "It was a very comfortable, safe environment.GÇ¥

Ghous has a long history of working to foster student success in a community college setting, which is something he's enjoyed. There is nothing more fulfilling than watching a student achieve their educational goals by successfully graduating with a degree, he said.

While he enjoyed his work in California, Ghous began to consider seeking employment in Washington after visiting the area for various educational consulting jobs, having enjoyed the scenery and climate.

"I fell in love with Washington,GÇ¥ Ghous said. "I fell in love with the outdoors, with the trees, with how green it is and the fact that it rains often here.GÇ¥

Now, he looks forward to broadening his vision and working directly with faculty and the community. Located on Fryelands Boulevard in the Lake Tye Building, the Everett Community College East County Campus holds classes 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. during the school year, and is the only higher education institution in east Snohomish County.

East county students can earn an associate degree, engage in the Running Start program, earn a GED, obtain specific job-skills training and take English as a second language. Classes are held on campus, online or as a combination of the two.

The opportunities at the east county branch have expanded over the years, as has enrollment. -á -á -á

"We're hoping to be about 600 students by fall,GÇ¥ Ghous said.

One of his goals is to increase outreach at local school districts, so outgoing high school students can become better versed about their educational alternatives.-á -á

"We have a lot of options that we can show the students if they choose to come to east county campus,GÇ¥ Ghous said. "We have advisers that can sit down with them and plan all of their courses from start to finish until they get their associate degrees.GÇ¥

So far, Ghous has spent time meeting with mayors in Monroe, Sultan and Index, and has even traveled up to Skykomish to meet the new superintendent of the Skykomish School. He's met with the faith community, Housing Hope and the Monroe Community Coalition, and has been involved in several community events. He is hopeful his fresh outlook will help the east county campus continue to grow, and is interested in getting to know the community better.-á

"I welcome the community to come and speak with me,GÇ¥ Ghous said. "I have an open-door policy, so if my door is open, you're welcome to walk in.GÇ¥

For more information on Everett Community College, visit www.everettcc.edu.