Julie Thompson named Transforming Lives Award winner

After more than three decades away from school, Julie Thompson is finding success at Olympic College. Thompson, a Deans’ list scholar, realized a college degree was the one barrier keeping her from advancing in her career. Now, as she nears completion of a bachelor’s degree, her efforts are being recognized statewide as a recipient of the Washington State Association of College Trustees (ACT) Transforming Lives Award.

The award was created in 2012 to recognize current or former students whose lives have been transformed by pursuing higher education at a community or technical college. Awardees receive $500 from ACT.

Thompson, who enrolled at Olympic College after being out of school for 33 years, said she was surprised but “absolutely blessed” to be nominated for the Transforming Lives award.

“It kind of puts the cap on all the hiccups I went through when in school and made it even more worth it,” she said. “It’s one thing to be a president’s and dean’s scholar, but to have somebody outside of that read my story and go, ‘Wow, she’s really overcome a lot of obstacles,’ it means a lot to me that somebody recognizes my struggles.”

Thompson is a U.S. Air Force veteran and currently works for the Department of the Navy. She said she recognized that she needed a college education to advance in her career. Her ultimate goal is to become the first female branch manager of her team serving the U.S. Naval fleet in Kitsap County.

“I joined the military so I didn’t have to go to college; now I’m here almost 36 years later, so it was pretty frightening holding that down, going to school and working full time, and I had some personal happenings taking place in my life,” she said. “So it’s a lot to juggle.”

She is in her third year at Olympic College in the Organizational Leadership program. She has already earned an associate degree in Organizational Leadership and Resource Management, and expects to graduate in June with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership and Technical Management.

“It’s been a blessing and I’m impressed at how well I’ve been doing,” she said. She has already been promoted at work since entering the program.

Thompson said starting her college education at a community college was a great strategy for her. “I was always a believer in starting out small before going on to the big stuff,” she said. “OC has been outstanding for me.”

In her letter of support, Olympic College Board of Trustees Chair Cheryl Miller wrote, “Like many of our students, real life has thrown heavy objects into Julie’s path, but she has pushed through them all in pursuit of her goals. Whether it be struggling to support aging parents, going through a divorce, dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, or battling self-doubts about being an older learner, Julie has showed great personal strength and determination and we are proud of what she has and will accomplish.”

Find out more about the ACT Transforming Lives Awards.