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Julie Cleveland fell in love with the outdoors. In 2017, she worked at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center near Juneau, Alaska, educating visitors about the glacier. Later she issued permits to backcountry backpackers at Glacier National Park.
“I went out backpacking every weekend when I had three-day weekends at my job at the National Park and I thought that this is where I want to be, out here in the woods.”
She realized while working as a backcountry ranger in New Zealand and in Yellowstone National Park that she enjoyed working in the field, in nature, more than she enjoyed working indoors.
These experiences helped Julie learn something important about herself – that she needed to work outdoors. She had a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Western Washington University but the call of the wild was strident and loud, and she responded. She committed to making a career change – working in fish and wildlife management and habitat restoration for fish and wildlife in particular – she enrolled at Cascadia College to pursue a Associate degree in Biology.
Julie was a Running Start student at Cascadia College back in 2008-2010 – and already knew first-hand about the excellent education Cascadia offers. “I really loved it [Cascadia] back then and I liked the campus, the shared resources with UW Bothell so I wanted to come back,” she said. The person who helped Julie ease her re-entry into Cascadia was Biology faculty member, Sadie Rosenthal. Julie said, “I had her last quarter for a course on animal biology and I have her again this quarter for plant biology and she is awesome! Good teachers are the main reason I’m back in Cascadia.”
“What gives me hope is that people are starting to care about the environment a lot more than before. Now, there are a lot more things in motion and more sustainable practices like renewable energies, etc. Honestly, the biggest thing for me is feeling like I’m doing something and having an impact, even if it’s a very small one. I just want to be out there doing what I can. That is my biggest motivation.”
Last year, when the campus closed and all classes moved online during the pandemic, was a challenging time for Julie. Julie was taking her Math prerequisite courses and struggling to stay focused while studying at home. Despite the distractions, she was determined and passed her classes with flying colors. Yet the call of the wilderness persisted. During that summer, Julie continued her coursework while working in the backcountry of Yellowstone. Cascadia faculty member, Dr Jayde Kwon, allowed her to submit her work ahead of schedule – and she was able to stay on track to finishing her degree rather than having to push back her prerequisites to another quarter.
Julie has student debt from her previous Bachelor’s degree and her seasonal jobs are not well-paying. During the school year, she works part-time jobs but the earnings are fail to cover living expenses! Had it not been for Cascadia’s Scholarship opportunities, and other resources on campus, Julie’s education would have been put on hold. Like many of Cascadia’s students, work and education go hand in hand. In fact, half of Cascadia’s students work – and more than half attend part-time because they must work. Julie’s commitment to her education, combined with the resources Cascadia offers, allowed her to maintain momentum with her studies.
As the recipient of 2021-22 Ashler Masonic Lodge Scholarship, Julie is on track to complete her Associate’s degree. She accepted a summer position as a Biological Science Technician in Yellowstone National Park, monitoring the impact and damage to vegetation in the backcountry trails and campsites. She is fulfilling her dream of working in the wild!
The Cascadia College Foundation provides essential financial assistance to students through scholarships, grants, and other forms of aid – and supports important college programs. Through our support, we enhance student success and strengthen Cascadia College’s community.
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