Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced his reappointment of Beth Thew to the Board of Trustees for the Community Colleges of Spokane.
“Beth Thew is a champion for the Community Colleges of Spokane and is an outstanding leader on our Board of Trustees,” said Christine Johnson, CCS Chancellor. “Beth advocates for our students and tells our legislative leaders about the transformational role of community colleges.” Thew was first appointed to the board five years ago. She currently serves as chairwoman of the governing board. Her term will continue until September 2023.
Thew is the retired secretary-treasurer for the Spokane Regional Labor Council, AFL-CIO. An active advocate for labor and workforce development in the region, Thew is a member and past vice-chair of the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board and a commissioner with the Washington State Economic Development Commission. She also serves on Spokane Area Workforce Development Council and United Way of Spokane County Board of Directors.
“My goals are to grow Washington's economy, strengthen our schools, and promote a culture of performance and efficiency in state government,” Inslee said in his reappointment letter. “I ask that you take personal responsibility for making sure the Community Colleges of Spokane Board of Trustees operates in a way that is transparent, responsive and focused on implementing lean management tools to achieve results. These are the public's expectations as well as my own.”
Thew served as a member of the Washington Learns Higher Education Task Force; Washington State Labor Council, where she chaired its education, training and apprenticeship committee and economic development, transportation and job committee; and American Red Cross, Inland Northwest Chapter Board of Directors.
She has volunteered for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 51, Boy Scouts of America Troop 2 and the International Order of Job’s Daughters, where she received the organizations Evergreen Award for outstanding adult volunteer/involvement in 1997.
Community Colleges of Spokane is a dynamic, 12,300-square-mile state community college district that includes Spokane Community College, Spokane Falls Community College and six rural education sites, serving residents in Pend Oreille, Stevens, Whitman, Ferry and parts of Lincoln counties. The colleges are now enrolling for summer and fall quarters. Learn more at ccs.spokane.edu.