Alumni Spotlight
Laura Bumpus’ business background includes being a Public Safety Communicator and Public Safety Training Officer for ten years with specialized national, state and local training in critical incidents and crisis. After a vehicle accident in 2006 Ms. Bumpus had to leave her position as a Public Safety Communicator and Training Officer and has since focused on her work as a veterans advocate and as student of web design and multi-media.
In 2006, Laura founded Gulf War Chemicals, an educational foundation. In October 2009, she was invited to Washington D.C. with co-founder Stacy Pennington to present a report on the effects of chemical exposure to veterans and their families to the Senate Committee of Veteran Affairs. Ms. Bumpus is proactive on this issue and has been interviewed by national, state and local media.
Ms. Bumpus’ work with GWC and the need for a new livelihood led her back to college in August 2009. She currently attends Sierra College and is enrolled in their “Virtual Office Program” with an emphasis on web design. Additionally Laura takes courses via Lynda.com and Adobe.com, whenever possible.
In 2009, Ms. Bumpus founded Veterans Portfolios, an organization dedicated to providing active service members and veterans with well crafted, high-quality, professional profiles showcasing both their civilian and military accomplishments. Using a multi-media format, which can include the use of images and video, an e-portfolio is an innovative and professional addition to the standard resume. Currently, Laura is working with the California Department of Veterans Affairs as they are looking to implement this program in early 2011.
Ms. Bumpus has been an active veteran’s advocate for several years. Laura currently serves as the Virtual Program Director of the Veterans Division, Veterans, Immigrants, Refuges Trauma Institute of Sacramento (VIRTIS).
"I started at Sierra College in August 2009. I expect to complete the Virtual Office Professional Certification this school year and then begin the Applied Art and Design Certification program. I am finding such tremendous value in the skills I am learning that I have decided to continue my education and absorb all I can."
Best advice you received while at Sierra College?
The best advice was given to me by Professor Dunn. She taught me to take my time and do the job right. Her advice to contemplate as many of the little details as possible, set priorities and then get to work, double check that work, re-do it again, and then turn in my best possible work has served me very well.
Favorite Professor?
Professor Dunn. When I enrolled in the profession Office Program I had two goals – to learn a new livelihood and to expand my knowledge in web design and marketing so that I might better promote my work with Gulf War Chemicals. Professor Dunn opened the door to whole new worlds for me. Her guidance, her generosity in sharing her knowledge and her incredible commitment to her students is largely responsible for my success, without her support and encouragement this program could not have been developed.
Favorite Class?
CIS 127/137 Dreamweaver with Prof Al. Prof Al is a master and his love for his work, his dedication, his excitement at our thrills in finding cool new things, all of the many, many extra lessons of how to create cool bells and whistles for a site… he crammed so much into a semester that I know I can spend the next two years looking at each nugget and gain new perspectives all over again.
Fondest Memory?
Being able to thank Professor Dunn, Professor Al and Professor Cole and Sierra College in person, and in public, at the Convocation is my best memory. One of the reasons I choose a “virtual” career and an on-line program is because I have a slight handicap that makes driving difficult, so I have not had the opportunity to meet face to face, or even see the beautiful campus very often. To be able to thank them, in person, for their very many gifts, their dedication and their continued support and commitment to their students meant a great deal to me. I deeply appreciate what I have learned.