Staff Profile: Jeanette Werner
Program Coordinator OSHA

One of the original employees of Rocky Mountain Education Center in the OSHA program at Red Rocks Community College is Jeannette Werner.  Let’s take a look at the journey that led her to the career that suits her so well.

Jeannette is a “home grown” Coloradan who was born and raised in Johnstown, Colorado near Greeley, Colorado.  She is one of three daughters of Colorado native parents who come from large families.  Most of Jeannette’s family and relatives still reside in the Northern Colorado area.

Jeannette’s high school years were spent volunteering time in service to others, preparing her for college, and developing her love of gardening and animals.  She spent two summers on missionary trips with Teen Missions International.  The first mission was in Canada where she worked at a mission that was next to a native North American reservation. Volunteering to build dorms for the teenagers at the mission and working with children and teens at the mission and on the reservation gave her a first-hand look at difficulties experienced in that culture and the reward that comes from making a difference in their lives.  The second mission trip started with a “boot camp” in Florida to become acquainted with a new culture and continued into the “field” in Germany.  Working again with “troubled teens” made a difference to them and made Jeannette believe that she was the one who benefited.

A high school class in psychology led to a later decision to major in this field in college.  Friends and family had told her that she was a good listener, and because she was always interested in “how the mind works,” Jeannette knew what she wanted to study.  During the high school psychology course, she took the opportunity to visit group homes for children and assisted living homes for elderly adults.

A recurring theme in Jeannette’s life has been her love and concern for animals.  Her earliest recollection is of visits every Sunday after church to her grandfather’s dairy farm.  Her grandfather was a role model exampling love of animals and gardening.  She has always strived to emulate those traits: “I want to be just like him.”  She has demonstrated this devotion through her caring for her own pets and by volunteering to help to rescue pets.  Jeannette’s current “4-legged children” are two Akita dogs, the breed known for hunting bears and showing loyalty; they are considered to be a Japanese symbol of good luck.  Her “Treasures” are Suji Yama, age nine, male with a thick white and fawn coat; Yuki Kumo, age nine, female with a thick white coat.  Another treasured pet in the “family” was her cat Mew for whom she has fond memories.  Recently, Jeannette went through a training program preparing her to do volunteer work for Almost Home Adoptions, a cat and kitten rescue service at 92nd and Wadsworth in Westminster, Colorado.

What journeys led to Jeannette’s work with OSHA at Rocky Mountain Education Center?  Her first job was as an administrative assistant in Financial Aid at Colorado Christian University in her first and second years.  She then moved up to Assistant Director of Financial Aid and remained in that position until graduation.  After graduation, Jeannette visited a career center, filled out applications, and took Colorado state employment tests on various sites.  These active steps led to an interview at Red Rocks Community College for an Administrative Assistant II position in Instructional Services, a job she accepted and worked in during 1992 and 1993.

The next decision provided a new path on her career journey that took trust and adventure.  While working in Instructional Services, Jeannette met Rich Hawkins, the pioneer director of the new OSHA Training Institute at RRCC.  He indicated that a position was available in that department and that the position might meet her interest in a challenging career.  When she took the challenge in 1993, she told herself, “I’ll stay five years.”  Why has she remained and why did she become Program Coordinator of a thriving free enterprise training department?  “There is always something new; no days are exactly alike: new students/clients attend classes, and I am challenged to be innovative and to be in a continuous pursuit of excellence.”  Jeannette credits Rich Hawkins, Director of Rocky Mountain Education Center: “I am excited to work for someone with vision and personality.”  Credits are also given here to “great co-workers, the instructors, and clients.”  Attending trade shows adds adventure and interest to her job.

Besides her enjoyable work, Jeannette makes time for her hobbies that others view as the benefits of her talents.  She writes poetry, creates charcoal sketches, and sometimes sings solo for weddings at her church. Time is always created for enjoying visits with her family and staying in touch with college friends. 

When you visit RMEC, you will notice the lively, upbeat, and dedicated atmosphere created by employees like Jeannette Werner.  Her genuine concern for others, her personal and work-related integrity, her sense of humor, and her hard work are demonstrated here and will make you want to sit awhile in her office and have a relaxed chat, maybe about training and definitely about pets.