Check out this WIN BRG-produced video that raises awareness about Washington State as an employer of choice for immigrant communities, showcases the diversity of the state workforce, and promotes the State as a welcoming environment where immigrants can feel valued and appreciated.
Featured Immigrant Story:
Tahir Khan
Department of Revenue (DOR)
Tahir is the Lead Investigator for the Working Families Tax Credit program at the Department of Revenue. He has over 10 years of law enforcement experience, including fraud, theft, and personnel investigations. He has spent several years developing new programs, conducting data analysis, and improving current standards via research for new technologies and training prospects.
Prior to working for the State of Washington, Tahir gained extensive experience in human resources management while working in the private sector. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Human Resources Management from University of California, Riverside. Tahir is an expert in areas of personnel investigations, recruitment and retention, and strategic planning. He finds fulfillment in removing barriers to success and helping others achieve their full potential.
Tahir was born in Pakistan, and he grew up in Southern California. He speaks multiple languages including Urdu, Hindi, and Spanish.
Korean Language GenCyber Summer Camp for High School Students
The University of Washington (Seattle) is offering a unique (and free) summer camp that combines the areas of cybersecurity and language education in Korean for high school students.
To be eligible, students must be currently in high school and speak Korean and English at an intermediate level or higher. Heritage students of Korean are encouraged to apply. Female students are especially encouraged to apply.
No previous knowledge of cybersecurity is required. The program will cover the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including key concepts and terms, with an emphasis on online safety.
When: Pre-program (Semi-synchronous) August 2nd - August 11th, 2023
Summer Camp (Synchronous) August 14th - August 18th, 2023
Priority Deadline: May 1st | Final Deadline: June 15th
Successful participants can earn a certificate of completion in the "Essentials from Cybersecurity and Korean" from UW CIAC and the UW LLC in addition to Official Language Proficiency scores and the Seals of Biliteracy.
We would appreciate it if you would please share this opportunity with all students and families at your school.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by June 15th to gencyber@uw.edu.
Hold the date: June 27th, 12:30pm - 2:30pm
This is an opportunity to celebrate the history and cultures that make our WIN community, and we need your help!
We want you to participate and showcase your talents, so please assist us with our event planning by completing the survey below. We want to know what country (or countries) you identify with and if you would be interested in sharing information, facilitating, or even performing (singing, dancing, poetry, art, comedy, etc.). We also want to get your input on what location would be best for gathering together. We are planning to have an in-person event with a way to participate virtually, too.
Please help us make this a fun, energetic, and inspiring event by sharing your ideas. We are better together, and your input makes a difference.
Are you seeking guidance on how to manage your career goals?
Do you need someone to talk to and share ideas with?
If yes, then WIN's Mentoring Program maybe a good resource for you. We have mentors from several state agencies from various ethnic backgrounds with varied expertise and experiences, including multilingual. You can view WIN's list of eligible mentors to see if there is someone whose career experience and background would be a good match. After reviewing the mentor's profiles, you can submit your mentoring request here.
Questions about the Mentor Program? Please reach out to Christina Pourarien, Chair & Mentoring Program Administrator at Washington Immigrant Network, at win@ofm.wa.gov.
Featured Immigrant Story:
Mustafa Mohamedali
Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
Mustafa is a licensed professional engineer (PE) and certified project manager (PMP). He is a 1st generation American and 5th generation Kenyan of Indian ancestry. He comes with a background of having lived and worked in 6 countries and traveled to 27 on four continents leading diverse disciplinary, multi-cultural teams. He is now in his 22nd year at WSDOT where he works as a Research Manager after serving in a variety of roles. He has served on the board of the local chapters of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
He currently serves on the Governor’s Commission for Judicial Conduct (CJC) and the mentoring committee of Washington Immigrant Network (WIN--State Business Resource Group) and the state’s refugee resettlement program. He also serves on WSDOT’s Diversity Advisory Group. He is a past board member of Interfaith Works and the Islamic Center of Olympia (the most diverse faith community in the South Puget Sound) where he was responsible for outreach and engagement.
Mustafa is a polyglot—fluent in English, Gujarati, Swahili, Hindi, and Urdu, and can get by in Arabic and a couple more.
At a recent WIN General Membership meeting, Mustafa shared a short video about the holy month of Ramadan, which recently ended. Please watch to learn five facts about Ramadan.
The Membership Outreach Subcommittee oversees and manages WIN BRG outreach efforts through various agencies and communities. The team is responsible for coordinating outreach events and oversees all immigrant and allies’ membership outreach and retention.
Hosts: Tahir Khan, DOR (WIN), Rathapol Chullanandana, DDS Spokane (VERG), Anupama Rao, DSHS (WIN), Roy Salonga WSDOT (WIN), Raquel Rice, DOR (WIN), Sanyu Tushabe, ESD (WIN), Lynora Hirata (HAPPEN), and Christina Pourarien ESD (WIN)
WIN, VERG, and HAPPEN BRGs have organized a career development workshop. This is a virtual event and open to anyone who is interested in learning about career opportunity searching tools, resume and interviewing tips. There will be breakout rooms mock interviews.
General Membership is open to all current Washington State employees, including full-time, part-time, hourly, and salaried employees who are committed to supporting and advancing the mission of WIN.
First time coming to a WIN General Membership Meeting?
The WIN Business Resource Group (BRG) welcomes all members and allies. Our BRG serve as a resource for all immigrants who are state employees to connect, share and educate each other and Washington state agencies on the skills, expertise and cultural value of a diverse workforce. (Note: WIN defines as "immigrant" as a person born in a foreign country or having a foreign-born parent.
If you would like more information or want to volunteer for WIN, please consider joining our sub-committees. Please reach out to the WIN chair, Christina Pourarien and WIN vice-chair, Sally Elliott at win@ofm.wa.gov to chat about what our subcommittees are working on and ways to get involved.
WIN strives provide accessible for all people. Please email win@ofm.wa.gov for any accommodation requests.
Celebrating state employees
The first week of May is for recognizing the great work and service public employees provide for Washingtonians. This year, in-person cross-agency events are back — join us in celebrating state employees at the Capitol Campus, in Spokane, in the Tri-Cities and at T-Mobile Park.
Olympia celebration | Wednesday, May 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us on the East Lawn of the Capitol Campus May 10, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for our first in-person Olympia PSRW celebration since 2019! Pick up a hot dog, visit vendor booths, chat with fellow state employees and kick back to the DJ and live band.
Spokane celebration | Wednesday, May 10, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us at the National Guard Readiness Center, Bldg. G, Wednesday, May 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Spokane PSRW Celebration! We will have lunches, vendor booths, activities and prizes.
Tri-Cities celebration | Thursday, May 11, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate with us at the Southridge Sports Complex in Kennewick. Hamburgers, hotdogs and beverages will be provided— you can choose between outdoor or indoor seating. Enjoy rides on the Gesa Carousel from 5:45 – 6:45 p.m.
Seattle Mariners game| May 6, 6:40 p.m.
Join us at the ballpark for a celebration of Washington State Employees Night Saturday, May 6, at 6:40 p.m. The Seattle Mariners are proud to recognize the work you do to make our communities stronger across the Pacific Northwest. Take advantage of specially priced tickets and bring your co-workers, friends and family to watch the Seattle Mariners take on the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park!
Public Service Recognition Awards
In the spirit of recognizing public service, the Office of Financial Management opened nominations earlier this year for the Excellence in Washington State Government Leadership Award, and the Extra Mile Award. OFM will announce recipients during PSRW.
Please join us in a guided conversation about the challenges children from immigrant backgrounds face growing up in a household of parents and elders unfamiliar with the American school system.
The 2023 WA State Employee DEI Empowerment Conference is in June!
“Bridging Gaps and Leaning into Action”
The conference will take place each Wednesday in June 2023 and will be held virtually over Zoom.
DATES:
June 7 (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
June 14 (8:15 AM – 5:00 PM)
June 21 (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
June 28 (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
We are committed to supporting statewide and agency-specific equity and anti-racism work, with the goal of building more just systems and fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging with our state workforce
Admission is free and open to all employees from Washington state agencies, boards and commissions.
Statewide business resource groups (BRGs) bring together groups of employees and their allies who have a common interest or characteristic. All BRGs have a charter, mission, goals and bylaws and contribute to an overall statewide business strategy. BRG members bring their unique knowledge and perspectives, making them an asset to state business needs, such as recruitment and retention. (OFM.wa.gov/BRGs)
Support the professional development of immigrant state employees. Recommend strategies to advance recruitment, retention, career progression and leadership development. Educate state agencies on the experience, skills and knowledge of immigrants and the value of a diverse workforce.
WHAT WE DO:
Provide a support structure, educational resources and leadership assistance for immigrant state employees. Encourage immigrants to consider the state as an employer of choice through inter-agency and external outreach activities. Serve as a resource for the Office of Financial Management, State Human Resources division and state agencies in creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.
