Wednesday, July 12, 2023
by Rune Torgersen, CWU Communications

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Every year, the Washington governor appoints one student to join the Central Washington University Board of Trustees, to serve as a voting member as well as a liaison between the board and the student body. This year, Governor Jay Inslee selected Sasha Mitchell to fill the role and represent her peers. Mitchell was surprised by the news.

“My initial reaction to being appointed was just shock,” she said. “I was so excited and I’m honored to share the student voice and help my university and community as much as I can.”

Mitchell, an English language and literature major minoring in law and justice, was invited to apply to the position due in part to her strong involvement with the community, her roles as a student athlete and volunteer for the Diversity and Equity Center, and through her work at the Wildcat Pantry.

“Being involved with the Wildcat Pantry this year has really helped me connect with a different side of the community, as well as other groups and organizations within Central,” she said. “I feel like that was one of the reasons I was selected to apply.”

Mitchell brings with her a passion for the kind of diversity and inclusion work that will help CWU live into its vision, according to CWU President Jim Wohlpart.

“The Student Trustee position is incredibly important in ensuring success for all Wildcats,” Wohlpart said. “Sasha’s involvement in our CWU community as a student, an athlete, and a well-rounded volunteer will provide a clear opportunity to learn and better understand our students’ needs, and will help us make decisions that move us forward towards becoming a model learning community of equity and belonging. We are delighted she will be serving our Wildcats in this capacity for the next year!”

As the student trustee, Mitchell hopes to apply this awareness of her fellow students’ needs so she can help ensure they get the support they need to succeed.

“I really care about making sure our students’ basic needs are met and helping others be successful in life when they might not have the money for food and hygiene products,” Mitchell said. “Being a student of color, I am also really interested in diversity and inclusion, and how we can infuse that into our systems, particularly in education. Being on the Board of Trustees will help me carry my work with the Diversity and Equity Center further, and bring the voice of my community to the leadership of CWU.”

Mitchell recently finished her junior season on the CWU softball team, playing in 17 games while finishing with a .283 batting average. She was named to the GNAC All-Academic Team this season.

Mitchell officially joined the Board of Trustees on June 21, and will serve until her graduation in the spring of 2024.