A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, state of Washington, will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The business session will begin at 2:00 PM. This meeting will be conducted both in-person in B201 and remotely via Zoom. A telephone line will also be available. Pradnya Desh, Chair, will preside.
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Webinar ID: 874 9382 2087
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to address the Board of Trustees during the “Public Comment” portion of each meeting. Each speaker is allotted up to two minutes. The Board does not respond to questions or comments during this time, as operational matters are delegated to the college president.
Public comments may be provided in one of three ways:
The Board will convene in executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1) for the following purpose(s): (g) To review the performance of a public employee; and (i) To discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation. No final action will be taken during this executive session, but action may be taken upon the Board’s return to open session.
A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, state of Washington, was held on Wednesday, March 18, 2025. Pradnya Desh, chair, presided. This meeting was held in B201 and on Zoom. A telephone line was also available.
Chair Desh called the business session to order at 2:02 PM.
A quorum of the Board was present.
Present: Chair Pradnya Desh, Trustee Richard Leigh, Trustee Greg Dietzel, Trustee Michelle Flowers-Taylor, President David May, Assistant Attorney General Tricia Boerger, and Board Secretary Alicia Keating Polson.
Absent: Vice Chair Rich Fukutaki
There were 100+ guests in attendance.
Chair Desh announced the appointment of Michelle Flowers-Taylor as the newest trustee to the Bellevue College Board of Trustees, noting that she was appointed on March 17, 2026 by Governor Ferguson. Chair Desh further noted that Trustee Flowers-Taylor would abstain from voting at this meeting due to the timing of her recent appointment.
Trustee Leigh made a motion to approve the agenda (March 18, 2026) and minutes (February 25, 2026.) Trustee Dietzel seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
Dr. Grace Lasker, Dean of the Health Sciences, Education and Wellness Institute (HSEWI), and Jamie Gayden, RT, Assistant Professor, presented the program spotlight of the Radiologic Technology Program.
The Program Spotlight is a regular feature at Board meetings that highlights a program or initiative and its impact on students in alignment with Bellevue College’s Be Bold Strategic Plan.
Part of HSEWI since 1967, the Radiologic Technology program prepares students for in-demand careers in the nation’s third-largest group of healthcare professionals. Students gain hands-on, hospital-based training through partnerships with regional clinical sites, building technical skills and professional confidence. Industry partners also serve on the program’s advisory board, keeping curriculum aligned with workforce needs. The program serves students from King County and beyond, with roughly 40% identifying as first-generation college students, and consistently achieves a 100% placement rate after graduation, with many alumni successfully pursuing further certifications.
High-impact clinical experiences build students’ confidence, purpose, and readiness for essential healthcare careers, advancing Foundational Priority 1: Students of the Be Bold Strategic Plan. Program graduates earn competitive wages and meet growing regional workforce needs, supporting economic growth and community healthcare needs in alignment with Foundational Priority 2: Community. With full cohorts and growing demand for Radiologic Technologists, the program is committed to delivering high-quality classroom, lab, and clinical education that prepares career-ready graduates.
The Foundation report was provided by Sean Marsh, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Bellevue College Foundation (BCF).
The Student report was provided in writing by ASGBC.
The Classified report was provided by Valencio Socia, WPEA Chief Shop Steward. He provided a report on budget, workplace, and operational concerns affecting classified staff. Key themes included:
The College Assembly report was provided by Judith Paquette, one of the Vice Chairs of College Assembly and Chair of the Resources and Planning Council.
The Faculty Union report was provided by Lindsay Haney, President of the Bellevue College Association of Higher Education (BCAHE). He provided an update to the Board highlighting concerns related to the College’s approach to potential program reductions and shared governance processes. Key themes included:
Czarinah Castro, student at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on molecular biosciences program.
Delyssa Edinboro, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on cultural and ethnic studies.
Kirsten Kinney, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on arts and dance program.
Andrey and Chloe, students at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on the arts and dance program.
Elena Maans-Lorincz, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on budget reductions.
Emily Chen, student at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on potential program closures.
Gavin Elrod, student at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on potential program closures.
Luca Morales, student at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on potential program closures.
Marlowe Zoller, staff member at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on budget reductions.
Jim Sisko, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on the arts program.
Phil Duncan, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on data quality.
Andrey Shcherbakor, student at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on the music program.
Laura Nudelman, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on the budget.
Annie Walker, student at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on the drama program.
Sajonna Sletten, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on the arts program.
Delaney Denton, student at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on the drama program.
Rebecca Swerdloff, student at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on the drama program.
Grace Tang, student at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on the drama program.
Alicia Ferguson, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on the early learning and teacher education program.
Blake DeWitt, student at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on the drama program.
Logan Ruth, student at Bellevue College, provided a public comment on the drama program.
Jacqueline Gapinski, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the molecular biosciences program.
W. Orcajo, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the early learning and teacher education program.
Savanna Barker, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the Interior Design program.
Keli Dean, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Teralee Spencer, student at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the long-term impact of educational reductions.
Sophia Augermadden, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Brian Cobb, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the dream and program viability.
Rachel Denis, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Evelyn Blanco, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Brittany Soler, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Soulinda Mariano, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Max Anderson, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Rahja Oyake, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Katie Hogan, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Ariana Olson, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Pedro Cruzsoria, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Kara Schmidt-Robben, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Sara Vallerie, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Christpher Good, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Betsy Leto, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jill Lee, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Eleonora Borisova, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Krista Leatham, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Hong Huynh, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Aimee Hong, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Bob Ustanik, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Lynda McKay, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Hannah Morrow, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Sarah Larson, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Cindy Kato-Yoyoyama, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Samantha Barberio, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Mag Dahilig, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Andrea Pavela, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Michelle Habila, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jonah Mauldin, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jasmine Knudson, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Max Shaw, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the drama and music programs.
Kirsten Bornemeier, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jessica Tran, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Silva Rendon, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Dena Yamaguchi, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
KJ Burkland, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Charlene Freyberg, faculty member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interdisciplinary studies program.
Alicia Brender, faculty member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the early learning and teacher education program.
Brittany Eble, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Em Halliburton, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jeannette Wilson, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jason Fuller, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on proposed budget cuts.
Phil Duncan, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on viability matrix data integrity.
Miranda Saddler, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jackie Argueta, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Kate Kyungha Lee, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Kristen Peterson-Motan, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Delaney Belfie, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Christina McFadden, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Chad Yoshinobu, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Kelly Blandon, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Sean O’Brien, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jeroen Teeuw, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Catherine Park, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Bert deViterbo, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Yari Lopez, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Ivy Guan, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Eleazar Jaurez-Diaz, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
JP Emery, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Dash Nagel, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Janine Perrotti, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Megan Onley, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Sahar Shawa, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jessica Thaemert, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Matt Thompson, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Stephanie Hurst, faculty member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment collaboration.
Jared Wynder student at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the music, dance, and drama departments.
Tyler Saxon, faculty member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on faculty participation in Board meetings.
Stephanie Hurst, faculty member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the drama, music, dance, and interior design programs
Gayle Bart, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jacqueline Gapinski, faculty member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the molecular biosciences program.
Bob Ustanik, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Laura Forbes, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Shufan Lu, student at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the dance, drama, and music programs.
Audrey Robinson, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jennifer Parada, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the new budget feedback survey.
Alba Sosa, student at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the molecular biosciences program.
Kyle Jackson, student at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the molecular biosciences program.
Vladislav Studentkov, student at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the drama program.
Maria Villar, student at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the molecular biosciences program.
Paul Davis, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jennifer Pang, staff member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the molecular biosciences program.
Deborah Lablang, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on multidisciplinary arts and design programming.
Leslie Lum, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on administrators.
Marlowe Zoller, staff member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on international students.
Dana Vukajilovich, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the meteorology program.
Stacy Alvares, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the molecular biosciences program.
Jory Hamilton, student at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the molecular biosciences program.
Rachelle Saletto, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jason Lear, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Geoff Piper, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Annalisa Lembo, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the molecular biosciences program.
Susan Cox, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interdisciplinary studies program.
Cara Diaconoff, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interdisciplinary studies program.
Haley Mosher, student at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Jan Kunasangeamporn, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Kaare Sola, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Thanh Sang Dang, community member of Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Anthony Tessandori, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on program viability and the interdisciplinary studies program.
Sarah Allen, student at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Dan Tremaglio, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interdisciplinary studies program.
Stephanie Brommer, faculty member at Bellevue College, provided a written comment on the interior design program.
Chair Desh called a 5-minute recess at 3:46 PM. The Board reconvened at 3:52 p.m.
Trustee Dietzel moved that the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII hereby grants tenure beginning in the 2026-27 Academic Year to Aseel Kanakri, Arts & Humanities (English). Trustee Leigh seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
Trustee Leigh moved that the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII hereby grants tenure beginning in the 2026-27 Academic Year to Celeste Lonson, Social Science (Psychology). Trustee Dietzel seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
Trustee Desh moved that the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII hereby grants tenure beginning in the 2026-27 Academic Year to Peter Ophoven, Science (Software Development). Trustee Dietzel seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
Trustee Dietzel moved that the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII hereby grants tenure beginning in the 2026-27 Academic Year to Sandra Wilson, Arts & Humanities (Interior Design). Trustee Leigh seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
Trustee Leigh moved that the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII hereby grants tenure beginning in the 2026-27 Academic Year to Sophie Leung, Arts & Humanities (English). Trustee Dietzel seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
Trustee Desh moved that the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII hereby grants tenure beginning in the 2026-27 Academic Year to Travis McKinney, Arts & Humanities (English). Trustee Leigh seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
Trustee Leigh moved that the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII approves the meeting dates for the 2026-2027 academic year. Trustee Dietzel seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
Trustee Dietzel moved that the Board of Trustees of Community College District VIII approves the revision of Policy 4000: Community Care and Institutional Inclusion and the deletion of Policy 4050: Cultural Pluralism Policy. Trustee Leigh seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
The Sabbatical Leave Committee received 20 applications for sabbatical leave in the 2026-27 academic year. After reviewing these proposals, the committee recommended the requested leaves for seven faculty members, totaling 12 FTEF, as well as two alternates.
The purpose of a Sabbatical Leave shall be to improve the professional skills of the faculty member through study, research, and creative work. The College will receive direct benefit of such an experience through the increasing effectiveness of those persons participating in a professional leave program.
The Board of Trustees has committed, through the Negotiated Agreement, to make “every reasonable effort to grant at least 12 FTEF Sabbatical Leaves annually; provided that at least that number of applicants have applied and are ranked by the Sabbatical Leave Committee…” (Article 22, Section 3.6). The number of leaves granted is subject to fiscal and budget constraints and the calculation of the potential cost of replacement.
Ranking of Sabbatical Leave Requests by Sabbatical Leave Committee (12 FTEF):
Alternates:
Dr. Judith Hernandez Chapar, Vice President of Student Affairs, and Megan Kaptik, Dean of Student Support provided a Student Success update for Winter Quarter 2026, reporting on Bellevue College’s current state and initial steps towards the student success outcomes adopted in the Be Bold: Built for Students, Connected to Community strategic plan.
The Be Bold strategic plan, adopted in January 2026, sets several target outcomes for student success:
This presentation provided context on the evolution of Bellevue College’s student success reporting, from an Achieving the Dream (ATD) report to a broader Be Bold student success report aligned with the college’s strategic goals. It highlighted early momentum in the ATD student cohort, including stronger starts and earlier academic progress. First-Year Math and English completion have risen by at least 20% each since Fall 2016, with English completion growing from 32.3 to 58.4%, and Math completion rising from 24.4% to 44.4%. Students are also earning more credits in their first 3 quarters, up to 36.3 in Fall 2024 compared to 28.6 in Fall 2016.
Equity gaps for Black and African American students are narrowing in these early success metrics, as well as persistence and retention; for example, first year math completion increased by 24 percentage points for Black and African American students, and retention to the third quarter for these students improved by 12.3 points. Cohort programs like Umoja, serving Black and African American students, and Puente, serving Latine students, have contributed to some of this success, with 79% and 92% retention rates respectively in their cohorts.
This report also highlighted opportunities for continuous improvement. Equity gaps still persist, particularly for Latine students in transfer admissions rates. First-generation college students also show lower rates of bachelor’s degree attainment than other student groups. Scaling advising capacity and increasing our agility to meet student needs are key to improving student success outcomes for all students.
That said, Bellevue College’s progress in retention, completion, and equity has also led to national recognition from Achieving the Dream and the Aspen Institute. Bellevue College was recently named an ATD Leader College of Distinction, and have been invited to apply as a Semi-Finalist for the Aspen Top 20-25.
Future quarterly reports will continue to provide updates and accountability as the college advances equitable student outcomes and expands its community impact.
David May, President, provided the President’s report:
Trustee Desh provided the Board report:
There was no unscheduled business.
At 4:31 PM, Chair Desh announced the Board would convene for 20 minutes (beginning at 3:35 PM) in executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1) for the following purpose: (g) To review the performance of a public employee; and (i) To discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation. Assistant Attorney General Tricia Boerger was present for the litigation-related discussion. Chair Desh announced that no final action would be taken during the executive session.
At 4:51 PM, Chair Desh extended the executive session by 10 minutes.
The executive session ended at 5:01 PM.
There being no further business, Chair Desh adjourned the Board of Trustees meeting at 5:02 PM.
Attest: Alicia Keating Polson
Secretary, Board of Trustees
Community College District VIII
Pradnya Desh
Chair, Board of Trustees
Community College District VIII