After five years of helping Summit students navigate college and career paths, Future Center coordinator Jeff Rankin is moving on. In a heartfelt email to students and families, Rankin announced his retirement, later sharing that he and his wife will be moving to Portugal for a couple of years to start a new adventure.
“It has been beyond a privilege to work with you over the past five years,” Rankin wrote in his email. “I can’t think of a better place to have written the final chapter of a very rewarding career.”
Even though his decision seemed sudden, Rankin explained that it was all due to timing; his visa for Portugal had been approved, and he needed to leave within a couple of months before it expired.
After getting his visa, he gave Summit a notice for resignation, saying, “I announced it over two weeks ago. But it was kept quiet,” since Summit hadn’t found a replacement yet. Still, Rankin stayed true to his character, emailing until the last second about Future Center opportunities and reading over college essays.
Beside reading over college essays and sending thousands of emails over his tenure at Summit, Rankin set up college search and application workshops, professional presentations, university representative visits, career job shadow opportunities and one-on-one college and career consulting. These Future Center opportunities have helped many students build careers or gain admission to their dream colleges.
“It’s been an unbelievably meaningful experience for me,” he said.
Rankin was originally from the corporate world, where he was a sales director for a chemical manufacturing company. What began as a one year experiment in education became a five-year passion project to help students figure out their future.
Students and staff alike know Rankin for his outgoing personality and commitment to his work.
“He’s always really excited to help, more than a lot of people, [and he is] very energetic,” said senior Kevin Walder. Walder also added that Rankin opened his eyes to opportunities beyond college, and was very involved throughout his entire application process.
Staff members share similar sentiments.
“He made the Future Center a much better place,” said Summit teacher Doug McDonald.
When asked what he’ll miss most, Rankin said the community.
“Summit is full of people who care,” he said. “That’s what makes this place special.”
As Rankin prepares to trade Bend’s snowy winters for Lisbon’s sunny streets, the Summit community wishes him the best in his retirement, and thanks him for the kindness, enthusiasm and dedication that have left a lasting legacy at the Future Center.
