CWU Board of Trustees elects new chairperson for 2023-24

ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington University Board of Trustees elected executive committee member Erin Black as its new chairperson during a July meeting. She succeeds former Chairperson Robert Nellams, who will remain on the BOT's Executive Committee.

Black has a long history of philanthropy and community development, through her current position as chief executive officer of The Memorial Foundation, as well as her work with the Downtown Yakima Rotary Club, where she currently serves as president. She joined the BOT in 2015, and led the 2020 Presidential search that hired President Jim Wohlpart. She is one of the longest-serving current members, and her current six-year term will run through September 2026.

Black is also a Central alumna, graduating with a bachelor's degree in anthropology in 1998. She said her time at CWU set her up for success and fuels her passion for improving the student experience.

"I am truly honored to step in as chair of the CWU Board of Trustees," she said. "My experience as a student at CWU truly set the tone for my continued education and professional career, and it is because of this that I am dedicated and passionate about a focus on the student experience at CWU."

The BOT also has elected a new slate of executive committee members from its current membership. Joining Black will be former Chair Robert Nellams and newly elected Vice Chair Jeff Hensler, who has previously served the CWU Foundation as chair of its Board of Directors. In the year ahead, the board will continue to focus on living into the university's new vision and mission statements, and finding new ways to elevate the value of the education offered at Central.

"I am excited about the work we have done around vision, mission, and values, in addition to the newly updated strategic plan," Black said. "I look forward to continuing and strengthening our journey together with the board, administration, faculty, staff, and students to become a model learning community of equity and belonging."

Trustee meeting dates:

October 19-20, 2023

February 15-16, 2024

May 16-17, 2024

July 25-26, 2024