Serve on the Green River College Board of Trustees

Your experience and perspective can help shape educational opportunities for students and the future of our communities. Green River College is helping the Washington Governor’s Office connect with individuals interested in serving on our Board of Trustees. 

If you care about students, believe in the power of education and want to contribute to our region, we invite you to learn more about trustee service. You do not need to be an educator to make a difference.

Explore the governor’s application process

 

Help build a stronger Green River for every student

Green River is an open-access public college with locations in Auburn, Kent and Enumclaw. Our students come here to prepare for university transfer, build career skills, earn applied bachelor’s degrees, complete high school, learn English and pursue lifelong learning. 

At Green River, we want every student to feel they belong and have the support they need to succeed. That means working to remove barriers, confronting racism and inequity, and creating accessible, welcoming places to learn. It also means listening to our communities, caring for our natural environment and finding new ways to meet changing needs. As a trustee, you can help turn these values into action, bringing your perspective to decisions that expand opportunities for students and strengthen the communities we serve.

Bring your perspective 

You do not need to be an educator to serve. We welcome interest from people with varied backgrounds and lived experiences, including business, labor, nonprofit service, public service and other fields. Strong candidates care about students, understand our communities and are ready to listen, work collaboratively and make informed decisions in the public interest. 

Understanding the role 

Trustees govern the college together as a board, setting direction and policy while the president leads daily operations. Responsibilities include: 

  • Establishing policies and priorities that support student success. 
  • Overseeing college resources and financial performance. 
  • Selecting and evaluating the college president. 
  • Bringing community perspectives to college decisions and advocating for community and technical college education. 

Trustee service extends beyond the monthly meeting. Plan for: 

  • Orientation and learning: Participate in new trustee orientation and ongoing learning. 
  • Monthly meetings: Reserve approximately 4–7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. In-person attendance is encouraged when possible to build community and relationships. 
  • Special meetings: Special meetings will be called from time-to-time, outside of the regular monthly meetings. Tenure review meetings require two half day special meetings each Spring, and the Board Retreat is a full-day special meeting scheduled for the first Wednesday of August. 
  • Preparation: Review the board packet, including reports, financial information and proposed actions, before each meeting. 
  • Committee service: Serve select collegewide governance committees as assigned, such as the Fiscal Sustainability Task Force. 
  • Presidential search: Help Green River next president through a national search.

The time required varies with committee assignments and college needs. Check posted meeting agendas for confirmed times and locations.

View board agrendas and materials

 

Check your eligibility 

Community College trustees must live within Green River’s District 10 boundaries (PDF) and be qualified to vote in the district. They cannot be employees of Washington’s community and technical college system, school district board members, or governing board members of another public or private educational institution.

Take the next step!

Know someone who would bring a valuable perspective? Share this opportunity with them! Additional frequantly asked questions can be found below.

Community trustees generally serve five-year terms. Someone appointed to fill a vacancy during an existing term serves the remainder of that term.

Trustees serve as volunteers. The Governor’s Office lists compensation as expenses only. Contact Suzanne McCudden, Secretary to the Board of Trustees, at 253-931-6407 or smccudden@greenriver.edu for details about eligible expenses.

This page focuses on community trustee positions. Green River also has a student trustee position with a separate selection process and a one-year term.

Contact Suzanne McCudden, Secretary to the Board of Trustees, at 253-931-6407 or smccudden@greenriver.edu to learn more about the role, commitment and eligibility.

Complete the Governor’s Office online application, select Green River College Board of Trustees, and attach your resume and any additional materials you would like considered. The college helps recruit interested individuals; the governor makes appointments. 

Apply through the Governor’s Office