Marco moved to The Dalles from Cologne, Germany in 2006 to join his wife, Rebekah. His background is in law enforcement as a police officer in Germany. When he came to the U.S. he began working in the correctional system, but eventually moved into social work. He says he likes social work more because in law enforcement, there are restrictions on how much help you can provide because of liability. For example, it frustrated him that he would encounter someone who needed help, but his only legal option was to arrest them.

Even when he worked in corrections, Marco began steering people toward ways they could improve their lives. He says many people in jail didn’t know how inexpensive the GED was, for example, so he began recommending CGCC’s GED program to people in jail who didn’t have a high school diploma.

Marco is taking over as Resource Navigator from Tea Church, who is staying at CGCC but has moved into a new position as Student Life and Housing Coordinator. “I have big shoes to fill, so I’m happy Tea is right next door,” Marco said. “I want to learn as much as I can as quick as I can. I think my main goal is that more students know we are here.” Tea says “Students are in good hands with Marco.”

Marco is available Monday - Thursday 8-6 and Friday 8-12, or email him at mbeitl@cgcc.edu. The Resource Navigation office is Building 1 - 2nd floor - outside the library. Stop in and say hello!