Centralia College Employee Named Professional Staff Member of the Year

Centralia College’s executive assistant to the president and board of trustees has been given the 2017 Professional Staff Member Award from the Washington State Association of College Trustees.

Janet Reaume received her award on Thursday at the ACT Awards Dinner at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, according to a press release from the college. 

Reaume has worked at Centralia College since 2008. She started as an office clerk for the WorkFirst program, where she was recognized as a hard worker after picking up extra hours in departments across campus. Then-president Jim Walton asked her to help in his office part-time. Her position transitioned to full-time in 2010, according to the release.

Reaume serves both the president and the board of trustees. She coordinates meetings and travel schedules, serves as a primary contact for the college, tracks the budget, addresses community inquiries, and prepares informational materials and resources for the trustees.

Reaume also serves on a number of campus committees and coordinates with state and legislative offices on college matters, according to the release.

Reaume was recognized for her “invaluable” skills to the campus and the community.

“Janet has great people skills — she is able to read between the lines and sense when someone is anxious or dissatisfied,” college President Bob Mohrbacher said in the release. “Many people from across campus — and in the larger community — seek out Janet for help or advice. She is always cheerful about working with people on a wide variety of issues, whether it is trivial or urgent.”

The trustees consider Reaume a tireless and trusted resource for the board that is not on campus every day. 

“As a trustee, I am often witness to Janet’s organizational skills, her efficient use of time, as well as her wonderful ability to creatively think outside the proverbial box,” Doris Wood-Brumsickle, chairwoman of the board of trustees, said in the release. “These skills enable us to approach the future with thoughtful new ideas and better connect with our district’s residents. For example, her suggestion that we conduct a scan with area artists led the trustees to a marvelous discussion with nearly 35 local artists and a strengthening of that relationship."