Who Helps Whom?
Dan Chibnall talks with a student. // VF File Photo by Charlie Bennett
Dan Chibnall
Dan Chibnall has been the user services and instructional designer at the Grand View Library for 10 years.
“I like working with young people who are at a time in their life where they are learning really critical skills for adulthood, and you know, thinking about the world, meeting new people, having perspectives change; that’s appealing to me,” Chibnall said.
Chibnall assists students, faculty and staff with library resources. His job includes helping students conduct academic research and collaborating with faculty on designing assignments.
In addition to this, Chibnall is the liaison for the nursing and science departments. Chibnall also holds hours at the reference desk on the first floor of the library where he fields students’ general questions and concerns.
“If I can make somebody think ‘Wow I never thought of it like that,’ then I think I’ve done the most important part of my job,” Chibnall said.
Nate Thesing
Nate Thesing (Sr.) is a writing tutor on campus. He was first introduced to the position by an English professor who urged him to take the prerequisite class to determine if he wanted to become a writing tutor.
After the class ended, Thesing was offered the tutoring position.
“I took it, just for something to do to get involved in the community because I’m a commuter student,” Thesing said.
Thesing said working at the Writing Center has given him the chance to get to know other students on campus outside of his classes.
One of the most important parts of being a writing tutor is “demystifying college writing,” Thesing said. It is important to him that the students know he is a peer and is speaking from similar experiences.
“It doesn’t have to be as scary as it seems. I can say that because I have been that scared person, you know, who is afraid to mess up or write the wrong thing,” Thesing said.
Evan Ellenwood
Evan Ellenwood spends much of his time working at GV Express. You will likely see him putting smiles on faces as he heartily wishes people a good day as they walk away with their snacks. His position as a cashier might seem menial to some, but Ellenwood has Asperger’s, and having a regular job is an opportunity that gives him hope and boosts his confidence.
According to the charity organization Autism Speaks, Asperger’s is on the higher functioning end of the autism spectrum and is typically characterized by social awkwardness and unusual speech patterns. However, Ellenwood isn’t shy about talking to people and has an optimistic outlook.
“I’m a big people person,” Ellenwood said. “That’s why I’m so nice at the store. I’ll talk all day. I have Asperger’s, but I’m not socially awkward. I don’t have it as bad as my mom thinks, but I do talk fast, and I do twitch.”
Before Ellenwood worked at GV Express, he went through a job program through Candeo called Project SEARCH.
The program lasts nine months and allows participants to work several internships through UnityPoint Health. Ellenwood held three internships, his favorite being a maintenance position at a hospital because he got to walk around and talk to people.
After the program is complete, Candeo holds a graduation ceremony. Ellenwood’s father, Lyle Ellenwood, said he has seen Evan make progress since graduating from the Project Search program.
“I don’t get to talk to him very often, but when I do, I can tell that he really loves his job,” Lyle Ellenwood said. “I think he’ll be there for a long time.”
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