Student Trustee

The Bellevue College Board of Trustees is composed of six members, appointed by the governor. Five serve a five-year term and the student member serves a one-year term. All members must reside within the college’s district boundaries.

The student trustee is a full trustee and member of the board, holding the same voting rights and responsibilities as other trustees. The student trustee has the unique responsibility to bring a student voice and perspective to the Board and serves as an informational link between the trustees and members of the college community, particularly students. The student trustee participates in everything except voting on matters relating to the hiring, discipline, tenure of faculty members and personnel, or any other matters pertaining to collective bargaining agreements. As a student trustee, you are a trustee who happens to be a student.

Student positions on governing boards are a valuable tool for developing leadership through experiential learning. Student members learn processes of institutional governance, ​have the opportunity to participate in advocacy efforts at the state and national level, become involved in campus projects, analyze policy proposals, and participate in board discussions and decision making. Serving as student trustee is an opportunity to serve and help make Bellevue College and the surrounding community better. 

The governor selects the student member from a list of candidates, of at least three and not more than five, submitted by Bellevue College’s Associated Student Government or their equivalent. The student member is expected to hold their office for a term of one year, beginning July 1 and ending June 30, or until the student member’s successor is appointed and qualified, whichever is later. You are expected to attend one board meeting per month. Board meetings are approximately three to four hours long. ​Usually within a week prior to the board meeting, you will receive an agenda packet which you are expected to read and review. The student member must be a full-time student in good standing at Bellevue College at the time of appointment and throughout their term.

For more information, visit Student Trustee Frequently Asked Questions.

Past Student Trustees

2021-22: Sascha WestSascha West

Sascha has been actively involved in finding ways to increase retention as a Peer Educator through developing and providing resources that encourage, motivate, and empower students to achieve their goals. Sascha is also a cybersecurity and computer science tutor who is passionate about student learning and helping students achieve success by creating and running a networking and cybersecurity lab. He is ardent for diversity, pluralism and multicultural inclusion and advances pluralism and global awareness. In his pursuit of promoting healthcare, Sascha secured funding from Associated Student Government to partner with Medical Teams International to not only bring the Medical Teams Dental Clinic but also medical clinics to the Bellevue College campus for one year. Furthermore, Sascha played a pivotal role in facilitating training opportunities within these medical clinics for nursing students, enhancing their real-world clinical experience. Sascha secured a grant through Medical Teams International for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Refugees, and low-income students. He was also a lead of the Japanese Culture Exchange Club where he helped put together the 2021 virtual Japan Week attended by the Consul-General of Japan in Seattle and a worldwide audience.

2020-21: Hannah StoddardHannah Stoddard

Hannah has attended Bellevue College since 2018. She currently serves as President of the United Nations Association Student Organization. She has participated in the Model United Nations (MUN) Program since 2019 and served as Head Delegate for the National MUN New York and National MUN D.C. conferences in 2020. Hannah is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa where she serves as the Vice President of Scholarships. As Student Trustee, she has participated in policy-making decisions, advocated for student issues, and interacted with elected representatives.

2018-19: Joedy MorrowJoedy Morrow

Joedy has been actively involved in the College’s governance system since her appointment to represent the student body through the Associated Student Government (ASG) in March 2017. Joedy served on the ASG as the Environmental and Social Responsibility Representative and as the Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Pluralism. Joedy is passionate about sustainability and social justice. She created a campus wide sustainability program and visited Washington DC to advocate for Bellevue College.

2017-18: Michael ChaMichael Cha

Michael Cha previously served in the Campus Activities Board as an Event Coordinator, within the Associated Student Government as Chief Justice, and as the Student Program Coordinator for the Bellevue College Association of Veterans.

2016-17: Marianne AlbayMarianne Albay

Marianne Albay has been an active student at Bellevue College since 2015 participating in student government and serving as a Peer to Peer mentor. Marianne graduated from the Tesla STEM High School in Redmond, Washington. She brings a thoughtful and informed student perspective to the Board of Trustees.

2015-16:  David KookDavid Kook

David Kook endured a competitive field to become Bellevue College’s fourth Student Trustee. He began as a reporter for the Watchdog, the Bellevue College newspaper, before becoming the News Editor, a position he holds concurrently.

Stassney Obregon2014-15: Stassney Obregon

Stassney Obregon came to the Student Trustee position as an active student involved in El Centro Latino, the Organization of Women Leaders, and the BC Rotaract Club. As an Oceanography Major, she was heavily involved in supporting women in STEM fields, attending many conferences as a student, including the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders.

Takhmina Dzhuraeva2013-14: Takhmina Dzhuraeva

Takhmina Dzhuraeva served for three years in the Associated Student Government, prior to becoming the student trustee. She was the Associated Justice of Internal Affairs 2010 – 2011, the Vice President of Finance and Communication 2011 – 2012, and the President 2012 – 2013. Takhmina broke many barriers at the Student Trustee. She was the first female, international, and Bachelor Degree student (for Interior Design) to serve.

Robert Rowe2012-13: Robert Rowe

Prior to becoming Bellevue College’s first Student Trustee, Robert Rowe served as the Associated Student Government Chief Justice from 2010 – 2011 while returning to school to become a math teacher. Robert was active in helping Bellevue College get this position, going so far as to testify in favor of the bill that ultimately granted all Community and Technical Colleges in Washington State the ability to have a student trustee.

Last Updated August 14, 2023