The Jolly Adventures of Zane & Hollie

by Zane Hight

Zane, Fortune Feimster, Rachel & Hollie

...So you're considering Cal Poly Pomona. I could talk to you for days about logistical things, but let's be honest: the thing that makes a good workplace isn't just the opportunities at your fingertips, it's also very much about the people you work alongside. With that said, I'd like to share with you the kind of relationships we build here at Cal Poly Pomona.

June 26th, 2017. Four new Area Coordinators sit down in a room and begin the HR paperwork process with excited, but nervous conversation. The day went on, we met more and more people, and I began getting to know a fellow colleague, Hollie Butcher. My best friend at my last institution happened to go to grad school with Hollie, which was a great place to start the conversation. She seemed cool, but I'm always a little skeptical. Turns out she thought the same thing. Two weeks later, I've met her partner, Rachel, we have a group text conversation going, and these are my favorite people in the state.

Since the beginning, we've come so far! Hollie is a great person to decompress with after a stressful day, so sometimes we go to lunch together or she cooks me dinner (because I am helpless and unmotivated in the kitchen). Occasionally, we'll set up shop in each other's offices and just work together. We also both had the opportunity to assume leadership roles in WACUHO and planning the next WACE conference, so we traveled to Oakland together and did a little sightseeing along the way. You can see us with our delicious Philz Coffee hanging out in the Castro below. (Yes, I had blonde hair. It was a phase.)

Throughout good times and hard times, Hollie and I have had each others' backs. We've spent a Saturday on the beach in San Diego, we've gone to movies in Hollywood, and we've even seen a couple comedians at the Irvine Improv! You'll see a picture below of myself, Rachel (Hollie's partner), Hollie, and one of my favorite comedians, Fortune Feimster. Perhaps the best time though was when I got to stand in Hollie & Rachel's wedding. You can see a quick selfie from the wedding below as well! Cal Poly Pomona was the connection that brought us each into each others' lives and families, and it was such an honor to be part of the wedding. Most of our ResLife team was there that day as well, and I'm sure there's nothing like seeing your colleagues present to support you on your big day.

Camaraderie is strong here. We're not all best friends all the time, but we find our people and we appreciate each other. Just a couple nights ago, both Hollie & Oscar and their partners (and puppies!) came over to play board games at my apartment. If your colleagues want to spend time with you during personal time on a Sunday evening, you have a great environment! Maria is always organizing trivia nights on Thursday at our on-campus brewery. I'm looking forward to getting coffee with my boss, Feli, this Friday actually. If you're going to TPE, you'll have the chance to meet her, and I'm sure you'll love her too. And no, she did not force me to write that. I'm just a nice guy. Spread the word. Until next time!