Longtime employee reflects on family, work, and the little things in life

For JoAnn Page, joy doesn’t come from accolades or grand adventures; it comes from the noise of a Sunday family dinner, from the quiet knowledge that her work matters, and from watching her grandchildren grow up just down the road.

CWU’s Associate Director of Admissions has built a life rooted in commitment, connection, and an appreciation for the ordinary moments that often go unnoticed. Her journey from a small town in Nevada to a leadership position at CWU is marked not by dramatic twists but by steady growth, trusted relationships, and an unwavering dedication to both family and community.

“I always knew once I got here, this was where I would stay,” JoAnn says of her work at CWU.

Over two decades, she moved from an entry-level program assistant position to associate director, building a career on reliability, persistence, and care.

“I’m not a job hopper,” she says with a smile. “You make connections over time, and that’s what makes the work meaningful.”

Though her role in Admissions often happens behind the scenes, JoAnn knows the impact her team has.

“People say, ‘It runs itself,’ but I think to myself, ‘It looks like it runs itself because we are here making it look that way,’” she says, half-laughing, half-serious.

The truth behind that humor is a quiet pride in doing a job well—even when it goes unseen.

JoAnn’s journey to CWU wasn’t as straightforward. She describes herself as “not a good student” and admits school never quite suited her. After a stint at Green River Community College, she stepped away from higher education and leaned into her passion: softball.

But at 22, she gave college another try and landed in Ellensburg. That’s where she earned her degree in administrative office management, and where she met her husband, Brian, a lifelong local who would later become her partner in building a life full of rootedness and warmth.

Together they raised two daughters, Missy and Mandy, who, like their mother, found both education and purpose at CWU.

Missy earned her PhD from Iowa State and returned to Ellensburg to open two childcare centers while raising five children. Mandy, now a certified financial planner, is close to finishing her master’s degree. Both live nearby, a fact that fills JoAnn with gratitude.

“It takes all of us to manage five kids,” she laughs, referring to Missy’s busy household. “But I love it. Missy and her family live next door, so they’re right there—and I absolutely love that.”

JoAnn’s life today is one shaped by proximity and presence. Her voice lights up when she talks about her grandchildren, whose ages range from toddlers to teenagers. There’s music, sports, dance, and the daily chaos of life with young children—things she clearly treasures.

“Emotionally, they’re what fill me up,” she says. “There’s always something going on. One plays the viola and clarinet, another dances, and of course there’s basketball.” (She’s still waiting for a softball player to emerge in the bunch!)

The sound she loves most?

“Sundays when we have family dinner, and everybody’s talking at the same time. And it’s like—they’re all here,” she says.

That same sense of warmth and togetherness extends into her professional life. JoAnn credits her success at CWU to mentors who opened doors, particularly Kathey Hatfield, who helped craft the resume and cover letter that finally got her in the door.

“She just knew how to say it,” JoAnn recalls. “I think that made all the difference.”

Over the years, JoAnn has taken on more responsibility, often stepping into management roles, not because she chased them but because others saw in her a steady leader.

“Every job I’ve had, I end up moving up,” she says with a shrug. “It just kind of happens.”

Her current team is one she cherishes deeply, describing them as “amazing.” And while the job has difficult moments—like denying applicants or troubleshooting problems—JoAnn finds balance in those rare wins when someone gets admitted against the odds.

“You make people cry—happy tears—because you figured out a way,” she says.

Under the leadership of her current supervisor, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management Hung Dang, JoAnn feels supported in both her professional and personal life.

“He’s very understanding of ‘family first,’” she notes. “It’s not about clock-punching. If your area is doing fine, he trusts you.”

That culture of trust and compassion matters. It’s what’s allowed JoAnn to thrive not just as an employee, but as a mother, grandmother, and community member. She doesn’t talk in terms of career goals or ambitions. Instead, she talks about stability, service, and sticking around to make things better.

She admits that retirement is beginning to enter the conversation, but there’s no urgency in her voice. Just as she’s done everything else in her life, she’ll get there in her own time, with intention.

When asked what profession she might have chosen if life had gone differently, JoAnn laughs.

“I once applied to be a community police officer in Tacoma,” she says. “Back in the day, I thought that would be fun. Not anymore!”

Her humor, humility, and no-nonsense approach are evident throughout the conversation. She may not have envisioned herself in higher education or as a manager, but the path unfolded in ways that allowed her to do what she does best: show up, work hard, and invest in people.

In the end, JoAnn Page’s story isn’t one of flashy milestones or viral moments; it’s the story of someone who found joy in doing the little things well, in raising a family that stayed close, and in choosing every day to make her corner of the world just a bit better.

And for her, that’s more than enough. She knows that the colleagues and students she has touched are eternally grateful.

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Author Staci Sleigh-Layman is the former Associate Vice President of Human Resources, who retired from CWU on August 1. She completed a series of CWU employee features in 2025, and they are running periodically on Central Today.