University of Puget Sound Students Get Hands-On Work Experience on Campus

Reggie Westgate ’27 

Campus and National Winner, Critical Thinking 

As a program coordinator for Puget Sound Outdoors (PSO), Reggie Westgate spends much of his time behind the scenes organizing logistics, preparing trip leaders, and ensuring every weekend outing runs smoothly. While the role involves plenty of paperwork and planning, it also offers the chance to step into leadership, occasionally guiding trips firsthand.

“I've had the privilege of working with incredible outdoors leaders who teach me new ideas about leadership and problem-solving every day,” Westgate said. “They bring an energy to the program that makes working here fun and especially rewarding.”

One memorable moment came during a Nordic ski trip. By the end of the day, participants who had never been skiing before not only felt more confident but were excited to try again. For Westgate, those moments when a first experience becomes a lasting passion capture exactly why his work at PSO matters. It’s the kind of impact that lingers long after the trip ends.

"Reggie is able to stay calm, thoughtful, and adaptable no matter what challenges come up," said supervisor Kevin Buchanan. "He approaches every situation with care, strong judgment, and a commitment to helping others succeed."

In recognition of his work, Westgate was named the winner in the critical thinking category by the National Student Employment Association. Westgate is the first Puget Sound student to recognized at the national level for their on-campus employment, and this is the first time the university has submitted candidates for national recognition. 

Thomas O’Neil ’27 

Campus Winner, Community Service 

In the Office of Experiential Learning, Thomas O’Neil plays a key role in reactivating the university’s Peace Corps Prep Program following the program’s pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. His days are spent doing outreach: sending emails, designing promotional materials, and connecting with students through classroom visits and tabling in Wheelock Student Center.

“Thomas is a powerful ambassador for community service among his peers,” said O’Neil’s supervisor, Experiential Learning Program Manager Nicole Kendrick. “He consistently shares his passion for engagement, service, and social responsibility, inspiring other students to become involved in their communities.”

Through this work, O’Neil has developed confidence as a communicator. Whether speaking off the cuff or managing a complicated project like this year’s Alternative Spring Break Habitat for Humanity program, he’s strengthened his ability to stay organized and connect with a wide range of audiences. The role has also introduced him to representatives from nonprofit organizations, expanding his understanding of potential career paths and deepening his interest in service-oriented work.

“You have to put your personality into it. If you are passionate about helping others, make it show during your work,” he said.

For O’Neil, that authenticity makes his outreach work both effective and meaningful. It’s a mindset that enhances his work now, and one he plans to carry forward into his future career.

Claire Bargman ’26 

Campus Winner, Leadership 

As a student coordinator for Puget Sound Outdoors (PSO), Claire Bargman thrives in a role that requires her to wear many hats. The first few weeks of the semester involve a lot of administrative work, from organizing sign-ups to completing essential paperwork. As the semester progresses, her days shift toward collaboration with her team, working with trip leaders and troubleshooting issues as they come up.

“Day-to-day, I get a ton of flexibility and people time which I really enjoy,” Bargman said. “I meet with leaders to get them up to speed on the paperwork and planning their trip involves, do some advertising and event planning, and problem solve when things go awry.

Bargman values the balance of structure and flexibility, but it’s the interpersonal aspect of the job that stands out most. Working closely with peers has taught her how to lead within a collaborative environment. She’s learned when to step up, when to ask for help, and how to problem-solve.

"Claire brings a ton of energy, care, and creativity to PSO," Buchanan said. "She has a way of making people feel supported, capable, and excited to lead and get outside. She always brings new ideas to the table and works hard to make them happen."

Her campus roles extend beyond PSO, working as both a campus tour guide and an environmental lab assistant. Together, these roles have shaped her interest in environmental communication, blending her scientific background with her passion for engaging others.

Her advice to other students is simple — try everything. From food service to research, each role offers new skills, perspectives, and the chance to discover unexpected interests along the way.

Ethan Rattie ’26 

Campus Winner, Technology and Innovation 

As a philanthropy program assistant in the Student Philanthropy Center, Ethan Rattie tracks and manages the data that drives the university’s outreach efforts. Working with giving platforms like Raiser's Edge NXT and complex spreadsheets, he quickly built a strong command of the role and emerged as the student lead for gathering the program’s statistics.

Rattie is known for his attention to detail and his drive to improve processes. During a major transition to a new database, he played a critical role in rethinking how the team tracks and documents its work. After asking thoughtful questions about the program’s goals and needs, he took the initiative to design a new approach.

The result was a streamlined system that consolidated several complex tracking processes into a single, more efficient workflow. Using advanced spreadsheet functions and a clear, user-focused design, Rattie consolidated five spreadsheets into one to tell the story of the Student Philanthropy Center’s efforts. He then taught his peers and his supervisor how to use the new tool.

“Ethan's work ethic, passion, and drive for success are so impressive,” said his supervisor, Assistant Director of Annual Giving Sajin Alcid. “His work is critical to not only my team, but our office as a whole. I truly believe he exemplifies the leadership and excellence that Loggers are known for.”

For Rattie, the professional experience gave him a leg up when it came time to apply for an internship. “In addition to gaining relevant experience, this was my first office job, which gave me a strong foundation in a professional environment,” said Rattie. “I was able to apply the analytical and teamwork skills developed in this role to my internship with UBS Private Wealth Management.”

Maya Chavez OTD’27 

Campus Winner, Graduate Student 

Maya Chavez’s role as a student office assistant in the School of Occupational Therapy gives her hands-on experience that she’ll need in her career as an occupational therapist. She manages clinic inventory, supports social media efforts, assists with participant recruitment, and helps faculty, staff, and students with a wide range of projects.

“I've learned a lot about what goes into maintaining a clinic, which will be so useful as I graduate into clinical practice. Understanding the intricacies of scheduling, communication, and record-keeping are all skills that I am so grateful to be taking into practice later in my career,” Chavez said.

One of Chavez’s tasks was relaunching the program’s social media presence. According to her supervisor, Christine Hills, department and clinic administrative specialist, Chavez approached the assignment with sincere curiosity, focused information gathering, and a sense of adventure.

“Maya’s contribution to the OT program through the creation and implementation of our social media management system has undeniably made both an immediate and long-lasting impact to the visibility and success of our program,” Hills said.

Overall, the role has also allowed her to connect with faculty and staff beyond the classroom. For Chavez, relationships have been central to her experience at Puget Sound. Mentorship from her supervisors has not only enhanced her day-to-day work, but also made the job especially meaningful. She encourages other students to invest in those connections, noting that strong relationships can transform a job into a truly rewarding experience.

Across campus, students support university operations every day while gaining valuable job skills, building confidence, discovering passions, and making a lasting impact on the Puget Sound community. Not only are campus jobs a way for students to fund their education, the jobs themselves provide a meaningful educational experience, allowing students the chance to immerse themselves in a supportive professional environment — a first step toward a meaningful career after graduation.