At Wilkinson College, our staff is more than just a team of colleagues — they are a family. Throughout the year, we work side by side, support one another, celebrate accomplishments, and create meaningful experiences that make our college such a special place.
As we head into the holiday season, we thought it would be fun to get to know the people who support Wilkinson a little better — the staff members we appreciate and are so thankful for throughout the year.
Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting the Wilkinson staff. This week, meet Jessica Bocinski (Escalette Collection of Art), Allison DeVries (Dean’s Office), and Christian Grevin (Political Science).
Jessica Bocinski
Collections Manager
Escalette Collection of Art
Voice of Wilkinson: How long have you been working at Chapman?
Jessica Bocinski: Seven years as full-time staff, plus three as a student worker.
VoW: What’s your favorite restaurant in Orange?
JB: The Taco Stand! I’m originally from San Diego, and this restaurant reminds me most of my favorite places back home.
VoW: What’s your favorite season and why?
JB: Spring! I love the weather – still some rain and cool, but sunny. It’s also always an exciting time of year because the academic year is ending, and students are graduating and finding their next steps in life; it always feels like a fresh start to a new chapter.
VoW: What’s your favorite book, podcast, and/or movie?
JB: This is almost impossible to answer because there are so many books that I absolutely love. If I have to choose, it’s probably a tie between The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas for plot (murder, narrow escapes, revenge… everything you want!) and Beloved by Toni Morrison for literary style (probably the most beautiful, thoughtful, and impactfully written books I’ve ever read). Very opposite ends of the spectrum!
VoW: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
JB: Anywhere that has museums or interesting local history to check out! Also, places in nature for horseback riding, hiking, whale watching, or scenic views.
VoW: What’s one thing you’ve learned from working with students?
JB: I feel so grateful to work with such hardworking, dedicated, and smart students every day. Their passion puts everything in perspective for me and is a constant reminder of the “why” behind everything that we do at a University. They really do inspire me to keep learning and growing in my position, so that I can be the best staff/faculty member possible for them.
On a funnier note, the students have taught me A LOT about social media… especially viral trends that I couldn’t make any sense of! I’m very glad to have students who coordinate the Escalette social media.
Allison DeVries
Manager of Research Development and Administration
Dean’s Office
Voice of Wilkinson: How long have you been working at Chapman?
Allison DeVries: 15 years.
VoW: What’s your favorite restaurant in Orange?
AD: Thai Towne Eatery… the drunken noodles and spicy eggplant are delicious!
VoW: What’s your favorite season and why?
AD: Spring! I love the longer days and warmer weather, especially when the evenings are still cool and crisp. There’s also such a great energy on campus in the spring as students get ready to graduate and celebrate everything they’ve accomplished. It feels like the sweet spot before summer fully commits.
VoW: What’s your favorite book, podcast, and/or movie?
AD: Asking me to choose one favorite book is unreasonable—I read around 70 books a year! I gravitate toward historical fiction, literary fiction, psychological thrillers, and anything with a story compelling enough to keep me reading.
VoW: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
AD: It’s a tie between New Zealand and Japan. Japan wins for incredible food and how easy it is to explore, while New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, with an almost unfair amount to see and do. My husband and I spent three weeks honeymooning in New Zealand in 2014 and returned for another week for our 10-year anniversary in 2024.
VoW: What would the personal section of your Wikipedia page say?
AD: When she isn’t working, Allison can usually be found planning her next trip, reading a book, cooking something new, playing board games, or spending time with her family.
VoW: Share a fun fact with us!
AD: I participated in Semester at Sea in college and traveled to 11 countries in four months. It probably explains why I’ve been trying to see as much of the world as possible ever since.
VoW: What’s one thing you’ve learned from working with students (and faculty)?
AD: Wilkinson students and faculty are working on incredibly interesting research projects. I love brainstorming with them and hearing their enthusiasm for their areas of interest—it’s a great reminder that the best ideas usually start with someone genuinely excited about a question.
Christian Grevin
Administrative Assistant
Political Science
Voice of Wilkinson: How long have you been working at Chapman?
Christian Grevin: Almost four years.
VoW: What’s your favorite restaurant in Orange?
CG: Provisions or Finneys.
VoW: What’s your favorite season … why?
CG: Spring because I love the perfect weather, long days, and all the nature!
VoW: What’s your favorite book, podcast, and/or movie?
CG: My favorite movies would have to be Everything Everywhere All at Once, Sing Sing, and Akeelah and the Bee.
VoW: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
CG: Locally, I adore San Diego, but abroad I loved Prague!
VoW: What would the personal section of your Wikipedia page say?
CG: That I love to spend time with friends and family, bake, travel, be out in nature and around wildlife, watch reality TV (RHSLC, Survivor, etc.), and listen to music (let’s hear it for Megan Thee Stallion)!
VoW: Share a fun fact with us!
CG: My family was involved in the French Revolution!
VoW: What’s one thing you’ve learned from working with students?
CG: That taking the time to connect students with campus resources can make all the difference!
