WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Conference & Event Services Manager
Job Titles:
- Associate Director for Student Access & Career Pathways
Anne-Marie Faiola is a serial entrepreneur who lives in Bellingham with her two children and seven koi fish. She is a published author of three books, including 'Live Your Best Day Ever: Thirty-Five Strategies for Daily Success', and she is known as ‘The Soap Queen' on YouTube where she runs a popular soap making channel. The companies she has created and bootstrapped include Bramble Berry Handcraft Provisions, BestDayEver, and Otion Soap. She currently employs over 60 people in Bellingham.
Job Titles:
- ASWCC Vice President for Clubs
Annika (she, her, hers) is a second year Running Start student working towards an Associate's degree in business. She plans to pursue piano pedagogy after graduating from WCC. While serving as the ASWCC Vice President for Clubs, Annika hopes to help enhance the student body through fun and meaningful outlets, where students can learn, grow, and form friendships together. In her free time, Annika enjoys playing the piano, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- ASWCC Vice President for Campus Advocacy
Arianna (she, her, hers) is a first year student and military veteran. She is working toward transferring to Western Washington University to major in Law, Diversity, and Justice. While serving as Vice President for Campus Advocacy she hopes to celebrate diversity and promote opportunities for individuals regardless of social, economic, or political difference. She is genuinely interested in her fellow students and wants to be the best advocate on their behalf. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, hiking, thrift shopping, and hanging out with her boyfriend and dog.
Job Titles:
- Athletics & Student Recreation Center Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Beverly Jacobs came to Bellingham in 2003 to be closer to her two daughters. One is a family practice doctor from Dartmouth Medical and the other is a PhD clinical psychologist in Fairhaven. Between them, Beverly has five grandsons.
Beverly is from the Hawaiian islands, went to Punahou, Vanderbilt, Stanford and did graduate work at Emory University and Georgia State. She spent thirty-three years in Special Education administration for high I.Q. programs in the metropolitan school systems of Atlanta, Georgia.
Beverly has been a volunteer with the ESL program under Sophia Shang to help Whatcom Community College students speak English. At most she has had 17 students in one season. She has been on the board for the Cordata Neighborhood Association for 14 years. She is currently advocating for a library in the Cordata neighborhood and works with city planners on that endeavor.
Bob Carmichael was elected to the Board in September 2020. Picture and bio coming soon.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Secretary
- Treasurer
Bob MacIsaac was elected to the WCC Foundation board in September 2019. Picture and bio coming soon!
Carlyn (she/they) is a fifth year biology transfer student pursuing Behavioral Neuroscience and Biochemistry. She believes in creating impactful change through empowering the student voice and amplifying lived experiences around neurodiversity & mental health. She plans to continue this work as a researcher and wants to help address different areas of inequity within the biomedical sciences. When she's not studying, Carlyn enjoys spending time with her pets, playing video games, reading, and rock hounding.
Carolyn Simpson Scott, MD is a retired obstetrician-gynecologist previously with Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA. Her entrepreneurship interests led her to own and operate several small businesses over the years, most recently as the founder and co-owner of Molly's Irish Grille & Sports Pub in Bethlehem, PA. Carolyn received her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and was in practice for 25 years. Prior to LVHN, she was a staff gynecologist at Women's Health Consultants, LLC and the co-owner of Lehigh Valley Women's Health Care Alliance Ltd.
Before her career in medicine, Carolyn worked as the Director of the Credit Division at Robert Morris Associates. Carolyn holds an A.B. degree in Economics from Davidson College. She is a current member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecologists and a former National Speaker for Myriad Genetics in its Preventive Care Division. She is also the Vice President of the Board of Directors of SATORI Chamber Music Group, is a board member of The Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pa where she serves on the Trusteeship and development committees. She formerly held board positions with the Allentown Women's Center, Baldwin's National Board of Advisors, the Piedmont Group of the National Association of Bank Women, and the Women's Division of the North Carolina Bankers Association. WCC's Simpson Intercultural Center is named after her father, W. Robert Simpson, whose generosity has had significant impact at Whatcom.
Cheryl Thornton was elected to the Board in November 2020. Picture and bio coming soon.
D. Andrew Moquin is a native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, attended college on the East coast, and eventually moved to the Northwest with his wife Kay in 1990. He is a graduate of Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island and also attended St. Steven's College in Dover, Massachusetts. After college he worked in marketing, public relations, and development back in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Having completed campaigns with St. John's Military Academy, the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra, and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, he accepted the position as Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Over a period of fifteen years he helped develop one of America's top ten major symphony orchestras.
Following this, Andrew did similar work with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra which was under the direction of Antal Dorati. It was there while living in Grosse Pointe, Michigan that he changed careers and became involved in the gourmet food business, eventually opening a restaurant and catering business. After a six year period he and his wife decided to move. They sold businesses, did research, and eventually ended up in Bellingham, Washington after taking a year off and travelling around the world. Since Kay was an Interior Designer, she set up her business with Andrew's help and he took up ownership of Il Fiasco Restaurant. They both became involved in the community and the restaurant served as a gathering place for business, civic, and social events.
Andrew was a member of the group that helped revive and restore the Mount Baker Theater in the early 90's and also served on the Theater's Board of Directors. He became a member of the Bellingham Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow. In 1993, Andrew was one of the founding board members of the Bellingham Festival of Music and served as the Festival's President and Executive Director for many years. He is still intimately involved with the classical music festival as the Guest Artist Coordinator, as well as a consultant, and assists with fund raising. In 1997, he was a recipient of the Mayor's Arts Award and in 2004 was recognized as a nominee for the Priscilla Sabin Award for outstanding contributions to Whatcom County's Tourism Industry. Andrew lost his partner Kay to cancer in 1997, and is now retired yet quite active. He joined the Whatcom Community College Foundation Board of Directors in 2015 and was instrumental in starting the "Magic of Whatcom" dinner/auction. This event helped raise over $250,000 for the college during the two years it was held. He also served as a member of the college Campaign Feasibility Study Committee in 2017.
Dr. Brenda-Lee Karasik currently serves on the Board of the Whatcom Community Foundation and has sat on AFP Advancement Northwest's National Philanthropy Day selection committee for several years. Brenda has also served on the Board of Bellingham Technical College. During her professional career Dr. Karasik was a special Consultant at SDSU Research Foundation for Sponsored Research Advancement in San Diego, California.
Job Titles:
- Communications Director at Western Washington University
Since retiring as communications director at Western Washington University, Dr. Lynne Masland has written a book about the history of the Bellingham YWCA, published a collection of poems, served on the boards of nonprofits and foundations, helped start the President's Circle at Whatcom Community College Foundation, and spearheaded a campaign at Bellingham Sunrise Rotary Club to raise money for scholarships.
Her keen interest in philanthropy was ignited by a friend, Jean Rahn, who died in 2015. They had worked together at WWU, where Rahn was executive director of WWU Foundation. Lynne describes the message that Rahn communicated to potential donors as, "Let me help you do something that in your heart you'd like to be able to do." That idea changed Lynne. She realized she didn't have to be Bill Gates to make a difference, that a person of moderate means can have a significant impact.
Dr. Masland asks friends and family members to donate to the scholarship fund for her birthday and Christmas presents. Masland is married to artist Steve Mayo and has two daughters, a stepdaughter, and three grandsons.
Dr. Emmanuel Eusebio was elected to the Board in November 2020. Picture and bio coming soon.
Ron Kleinknecht is a life-long Washingtonian with a passion for higher education that spans decades, having spent 43 years at WWU as Professor and Chair of Psychology, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. During his tenure as Dean at WWU he worked collaboratively with WCC faculty and staff to develop a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at WWU. He was asked by fellow board member, Lynne Masland, to join the board after his retirement from WWU. Ron has served on a number of local boards including Port of Bellingham Marina Advisory Committee, Whatcom County Mental Health Advisory Board, and Critical Junctures Institute. In his free time he enjoys birding, hiking, and orienting four grandchildren to appreciate and preserve nature. Ron is a champion of our environment; he writes on the topic of environmental awareness and action for local and online outlets and monitors local beaches for Starfish Wasting Syndrome.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director for the WCC Foundation
- Executive Director for WCC Foundation
Eva Schulte, Executive Director for the WCC Foundation, has over 20 years of experience working in the area of community-based investment, impact management and securing major capital for underserved communities.
Before joining Whatcom, Eva served as the vice president for economic opportunity at Travois Inc., a mission-driven business and Certified B Corporation focused exclusively on promoting housing and economic development for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. Previously, she was the president and CEO of Communities Creating Opportunity, a non-profit organization that works to transform Kansas City communities by bringing people together to build relationships, develop strong leaders, and improve the quality of life.
Eva has dedicated her life's work to bringing capital and equity to underserved communities. Her passion, experience and expertise brings strategic foresight to lead the advancement team to expand the College's relationships with business, civic and cultural leaders, and to secure resources to support innovative initiatives and student scholarships.
She received her Master of Arts in Ethics and Social Theory from Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley California and her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Spanish from Central College in Pella, Iowa. She has also received numerous leadership awards for her work in building communities.
Jeffrey Klausman was elected as the Board's WCC Faculty Representative in September 2020. Picture and bio coming soon.
Job Titles:
- Head Men 's Basketball Coach
Jennifer Slattery is a family law attorney in Whatcom County. She graduated from University in Washington in 2004 (after transferring from Green River Community College), and from Seattle University School of Law in 2008.
Jennifer has practiced law since 2008 when she was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association. In 2017, Jennifer started the firm Kulshan Law, PLLC. The firm became Kulshan Law Group in April 2018 when Jennifer's three partners joined.
Jennifer is a former board member of the Whatcom Women Lawyers. She also serves on the boards of Bellingham Sunrise Rotary and Whatcom County Bar Association.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking for Heritage Bank
John Stewart is Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking for Heritage Bank in Bellingham, having begun his banking career in 1981 in Louisville, Kentucky. Over 37 years, he has served in a variety of production and leadership roles in both commercial and international banking and treasury management.
John was born in Cincinnati, and attended the University of Cincinnati where he earned a BA in German Studies and an MBA in Finance and International Business. He has served on a variety of Boards, including Campfire USA - Samish Council, Chinook Enterprises, and the Skagit Community Foundation. John is a member of the Rotary Club of Bellingham. He has lived in Bellingham for 19 years, enjoys bicycling and hiking with friends, and being inordinately proud of his son.
Job Titles:
- Head Men 's Coach, Soccer
Justin Gill was elected to the Board in November 2020. Picture and bio coming soon.
Job Titles:
- ASWCC Executive Vice President
Kaitlyn (she, her, hers) is a Running Start student from Sehome High School currently working on her transfer degree. She plans to study medicine abroad after graduating from WCC. As the ASWCC Executive VP, she hopes to create connections between students, and also between students and faculty, and to ensure that WCC remains a campus community where everyone's voice is heard and valued. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing short stories, learning languages, and hiking with her dog
Kate Carroll de Gutes sometimes still lives in Portland, Oregon but spends most of her time in Iowa City, in a house built in 1893. This means her desk slants along with the floor and she is once again fixing counterweights in double hung windows. She is the author of Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear and The Authenticity Experiment: Lessons From the Best & Worst Year of My Life. Kate is currently working on a book about how individuals come to understand their gender, tentatively titled: Will We See You In Something More Feminine Tomorrow? katecarrolldegutes.com
Job Titles:
- Program Specialist
- Foundation Program Specialist
Kate Imus, foundation program specialist, manages the Foundation's scholarship program and also coordinates other special projects, including events. "As a WCC alum, I appreciate the opportunity to support our current students." Kate has worked for various health and education related nonprofits in the region.
Kathi H. Hiyane-Brown, Ed.D, became the fourth president of Whatcom Community College in 2007. Dr. Hiyane-Brown leads this comprehensive community college that serves 11,000 annually, employs more than 400 employees, and operates with an annual state budget of approximately $20 million. During her tenure, she has built vital community partnerships, inspired innovation and excellence throughout the College, and encouraged a culture of inclusiveness.
Dr. Hiyane-Brown was the President of Normandale Community College, Bloomington, MN, for four years prior to being appointed president at WCC. She also held administrative posts at Tacoma Community College, Tacoma, WA; Leeward Community College, Pearl City, HI; and Muscatine Community College, Muscatine, IA.
Born in Hawai‘i, Dr. Hiyane-Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, Grinnell College; a Master of Arts in Instructional Design and Technology, University of Iowa; and a Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership, Oregon State University. Dr. Hiyane-Brown has been recognized as one of 2010's Outstanding Women Educators by the Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation and was the recipient of the 2002 Leadership Award from The Association. In recognition of her commitment to staff and program development, she received NCSPOD's College President's Award in 2012. She also received the 2014 CEO of the Year Award from Washington Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges.
Kurt Anderson has served on the WCC Foundation board since 2004 when Inez Johnson encouraged him to volunteer his service to our community as a board director. Kurt and his wife Linda are long-time Ferndale residents. Kurt was an operator at ARCO for over 30 years and fire team captain at the refinery. Kurt is a committed community member and volunteer. He serves as a volunteer for the Ferndale Police Department and he and his wife, Linda, are very active in the Ferndale community and at Christ Lutheran Church.
Leseah ( She/ her/ hers) is a freshman at WCC and is working to transfer next year to the University of Washington. She plans on majoring in Business and becoming a Health Care Administrator. During her term as VP for Social and Educational program, she plans on bonding with students and making them feel welcome at WCC. In her free time, she loves hiking, playing the ukulele, and running.
Job Titles:
- Transitional Learning Advisor & Volleyball Head Coach
Job Titles:
- Head Women 's Soccer Coach
Michael Langey was Director of Student Programs and Athletics at WCC from 2003-2009. Before coming to Whatcom Michael was a career U.S. Air Force officer. He served as squadron and base commander, and as staff officer at two major air command headquarters. Michael developed training and professional development programs, planned new facilities, and managed annual operating and major construction/renovation project budgets.
Paul is one of three co-owners of Village Books and programmer for the Chuckanut Writers Workshops and Classes. Before arriving in Bellingham in 2011, Paul was the long-time manager of Eagle Harbor Book Company on Bainbridge Island.
He is a writer and publisher, former President of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, and past core team member of Fields End, a writers' community on Bainbridge Island. Paul has been one of the Chuckanut Writers Conference Coordinators since 2012.
Since moving here in 1988, Phyllis Self has assumed many civic roles including chairing the task force for restoring the Mount Baker Theatre together with her husband and serving as a Whatcom Community College trustee and chairing its foundation. She is currently on numerous non-profit boards in the community. Phyllis is an accomplished pastel landscape artist, and she has received the Mayor's Arts Award.
Robert M. Tull practiced law in Whatcom County beginning in 1975, after receiving his education at the University of Washington and Gonzaga University School of Law. Bob is active on several foundation boards. He enjoys boating and travelling with his wife, Betty.
Satpal Sidhu has lived in Lynden for 30 years and has worked in this community as an engineer, business executive, educator and a small business owner. Satpal and his wife, Mundir, have been married for 38 years and together have raised three sons who attended Meridian schools.
Satpal has been an active citizen in the community for past 25 years, serving on numerous community organization boards & committees, volunteering his time and skills to make our county a better place to live for all our residents.
In 2004, he and his wife started Spice Hut in Bellingham, a quality tea and spice retail business which has been voted twice as the Best Teahouse in the Pacific Northwest. Satpal served as a county council member representing District 3 until 2019. He is currently proudly serving his first term as Whatcom County Executive.
Job Titles:
- Student Recreation Manager
Job Titles:
- Head Coach, Women 's Basketball
Job Titles:
- Head Men's and Women 's Cross Country Coach
Job Titles:
- Operations Manager
- Foundation Operations Manager
Stephanie Schmitt, foundation operations manager, handles the day-to-day processes and procedures to ensure the Foundation runs smoothly. "I like meeting amazingly motivated students and hearing from them how WCC is changing their lives through faculty, classes, student clubs. I'm thankful for the privilege of being part of improving students' access to those experiences." Stephanie has worked as a technical writer and office manager before joining the Foundation.
Susan Sandell was born, raised, and educated in Bellingham. Susan is a proud alumna of Whatcom Community College and WWU. She opened her women's clothing store, Sandell's for Her, in 1982 and has been an extremely active member of our community. Though she is now retired after 33 years in the clothing business, she remains active throughout the community. Both Deane and Susan are active members of Saint Paul's Episcopal church and support many charitable causes locally and nationwide including The Lighthouse Mission, Red Cross, Saint Paul's church, Salvation Army, Hospice, University of Washington medical, and Whatcom Community College. Susan and her husband, Deane, both have strong ties to Whatcom. Deane's father, Floyd Sandell, taught farm management and was the first tenured faculty member at Whatcom Community College.
Job Titles:
- Interim Director of Intercultural Services
Tim Doulas was elected to the WCC Foundation board in March 2020. Picture and bio coming soon!
Victoria Dahlgren moved to Whatcom County in 1982. She has served on the board of Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood and is still an active supporter. She has also served on the board of the Bellingham Festival of Music. Victoria likes to hike, travel, and golf and enjoys reading, theater, and movies. She is passionate about education and the idea that it should be accessible to all. So, when asked to serve on the board of WCCF, she was happy to accept and says it has been a rewarding experience.
Job Titles:
- Representative
- Trustee
- Vice Chair
Wendy Bohlke was appointed to the WCC Board of Trustees in November, 2017. Wendy grew up in Prosser, Washington, earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science from University of Washington in 1975 and law degree from Willamette University in December 1977. She served as senior counsel for the Washington State Attorney General from 1979-2013 and counsel to WWU from 2006-2013. As WWU's legal counsel since 1983, she managed the full range of issues that come before a general counsel of a vital university.
Her professional activities include serving on numerous committees of the Washington State Bar Association, Whatcom County LAW Advocates, Mt. Baker Theatre, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, Whatcom 4-H Council and Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood.
Appointed in November 2017
Career Profile
Retired. Former Senior Counsel, Washington State Assistant Attorney General, 1979-2013; counsel to Western Washington University and Bellingham Education Team Leader, 2006-2013, counsel to Skagit Valley College 1983-1995, and Whatcom Community College; Section Chief, Bellingham Regional Office of Attorney General, 1984 - 2006. Served under Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Rob McKenna, Christine O. Gregoire, Kenneth Eikenberry, and Slade Gordon; former member of the Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office, 1978-1979.
Job Titles:
- Career & Academic Advisor / Laidlaw Center