Joan Passarelli

Program Administrator, Center for Teaching & Learning

OFFICE OF VICE PROVOST FOR UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION

Stanford has been part of Joan Passarelli’s life for more than 30 years, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Joan first loved Stanford as a student, but it was in 2008 that she came to love Stanford as an employee. Joan joined its workforce first as temporary staff and then as a full-time administrative assistant for the Program for Writing & Rhetoric. Three years later, she moved to her current position as program administrator of the Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL).

Joan loves her job’s many facets, which include supporting the undergraduate peer tutoring program and editing the Teaching Commons website, newsletter and Facebook page. “It’s rewarding to help teachers and learners all over campus,” she says.

Stanford’s opportunities for growth and community of supportive colleagues have impressed Joan. After two years in her first job, she told her supervisor that she wanted to grow, and he helped her find other opportunities. When CTL’s director tapped Joan to be editor of their new website because of her journalism background, she was delighted. “I love organizing information. To be trusted with that new responsibility was really exciting. It became my favorite part of my job.”

Joan also enjoys continuously learning through Stanford’s professional groups, such as the content strategists group. “People give their time, senior folks helping newer folks. We help each other be excellent. Everybody learns here.”

That “culture of excellence” is why Joan says there’s no other place she’d rather work—Stanford is it.

“Stanford has a totally unique culture as an employer: a culture of excellence. From students and faculty doing cutting edge work to staff who support them—we all seek excellence. People who work here are also friendly, kind and supportive. I love Stanford and want to work here for years to come.”