Gillian Estes

Gillian stands outside, with a tree with spring blooms and bring green grass behind her. She looks directly at the camera with a small smile. Her hair is down and she wears an orangey-red sweater and multi-colored light scarf.

Pronouns:

She/Her

Department:

Learning & Academic Resource Center

How did you end up going into your current role or field and what do you enjoy most about the work you do?

I started as a tutor at the Writing Center and loved it so much that I joined the Learning & Academic Resource Center as staff shortly after its creation. I have been here ever since! What I enjoy most is getting to know our amazing tutors each year and watching them grow into leaders before they move on to new opportunities.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the Sonoma State community?

The people, hands down. I have met, and been fortunate to work with, people from all over campus - students, staff, administrators, and faculty. Every person brings something different to the table. I am also excited to see how we adapt to meet current and future student needs, and how we change as a university.

What do you find most fulfilling about working in higher education?

Working with students and seeing them grow. Some of our tutors are with us for 2-3 years and there are often tremendous changes, tremendous bursts of personal growth, during that time. I also see feedback from students who use LARC services, and can see growth there too, which indicates to me that we are providing valuable services.

In what ways does your work make an impact on students, the campus or the broader campus community?

I work to support three programs in our center, programs that by their very nature are supportive of students. We have hundreds of students come in each year, looking for academic support, and while the tutors and Supplemental Instruction Leaders handle the actual interactions, I know that my support in the background helps keep things moving. I am also very conscientious of my roles as Staff Council Chair, and bargaining unit representative. I try to utilize those roles to amplify the voices of staff across campus, to provide feedback where it is needed, and to stand up for the rights and wellbeing of my fellow employees, as well as build a stronger network between divisions on campus.