I want to share an honest review of my experience at Clover Park Technical College. I’ve met a few staff members who have been truly amazing! Beth, Jenna, Jenn, Cathy, Teirra, Kenzie, and Christine have been welcoming, patient, and supportive, and I’m genuinely grateful for them.
That said, overall I’ve had a disappointing experience with customer service from several departments. Just yesterday, after speaking with a financial aid staff member, I ended up crying in front of others because the interaction felt rude and dismissive. I was trying to explain that I didn’t understand the process and needed help, but the response included huffing, puffing, and an attitude that made me feel like a burden instead of a student asking for guidance.
A big part of my stress right now is that I’m on probation and still haven’t received financial aid, largely due to circumstances that were outside of my control. Last quarter I requested (back in October) to be switched to Zoom, and while I was told it was fine, Canvas continued to show in-person assignments. That confusion caused extra work and constant uncertainty. The final project for the in-person class required a live PowerPoint presentation. I completed the PowerPoint, but I couldn’t attend in person. I’m a single mom and I’m trying to push through school the best I can. On top of that, a couple weeks before fall quarter ended, my 9-year-old son was attacked by a dog and needed reconstructive surgery on his face, and I had to miss school. Now I’m stuck appealing because that one project impacted my grade significantly.
What makes this especially upsetting is that I’ve advocated for CPTC publicly. I showed up for a Seattle Times interview when another student didn’t, and I spoke at the Board of Trustees meeting about my success story. The school president even came up to meet me, and it meant a lot. But behind the scenes, the day-to-day experience with many staff has not matched the welcoming image CPTC promotes.
I will say this: after leaving financial aid, I went to the Welcome Center, and the woman at the front was kind, patient, and helped me log in and get started. That is the kind of support students need especially those of us navigating complicated situations.
I hope CPTC can improve staff training around empathy, communication, and guiding students through processes because students shouldn’t leave campus feeling humiliated for asking for help. I’m transferring to TCC for spring quarter and I cannot wait, I’ve come so far but without communication and support from staff it is truly hard to navigate
And obviously very disappointing.
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