Bringing diverse voices together to advance postsecondary success for all Washington students 

The Gates Foundation Education Roundtable convenes students, educators, and local and statewide leaders to develop shared solutions that help more students find successful pathways after high school. Coordinated and facilitated by The Scholar First, the Education Roundtable brings together 40+ members—including students, teachers, principals, superintendents, state education leaders, education data experts, and nonprofit leaders—to collaborate and identify ways to help students find postsecondary success, particularly students who have been traditionally underserved.

Since launching in November 2023, the Education Roundtable has created a space where diverse perspectives come together to examine data, share best practices, learn from student experiences, and identify leverage points for meaningful systems change.

Key themes

In their first year together, Education Roundtable members developed a shared vision: “Empowering each and every student with the inspiration, knowledge, and skills to attain a postsecondary credential that guarantees upward mobility and financial stability, ultimately fulfilling oneself and contributing to society.”

Through dialogue and data review, Education Roundtable members have identified five critical themes:

The role of financial aid literacy in unlocking postsecondary opportunities

• The urgent need to raise awareness about the value of postsecondary credentials
• Persistent gaps in access to college and career preparation programs
• The importance of family engagement and strategies that support families from a range of backgrounds
• The need for better coordination between K-12 and higher education systems

Participants

Meet the members of our Education Rountable

Education Roundtable Members:

• Abeal Sihel, Student, Evergreen Public Schools
• Dr. Adam Swinyard, Superintendent, Spokane Public Schools
• Aiden Hallock, Student, Tukwila School District
• Aimee Iverson, Executive Director, WEA
• Alex Brewster, Student, Tukwila School District
• Alex Henriksson, Student Representative, State Board of Education
• Ari Kim-Leavitt, Student, Walla Walla School District
• Arik Korman, CEO, League of Education Voters Foundation
• Brandon Bao, Student, Federal Way Public Schools
• Cameryn Hubbard, Student, Shoreline Public Schools
• Chris Reykdal, Superintendent, OSPI
• Dr. Christopher Nesmith, Superintendent, Elma School District
• Dr. Concie Pedroza, Superintendent, Tukwila School District
• Dr. Dani Pfeiffer, Superintendent, Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS)
• Derek Garrison, Principal, Evergreen Public Schools
• Dulce Oliveras Farias, Student, Elma School District
• Eliel Galicia, Student, Quincy School District
• Elyssa Castillo, Student, Tukwila School District
• Eva Maxwell, Student, Walla Walla School District
• Isabelle (Izzy) Owens, Student, Federal Way Public Schools
• Dr. Ivan Duran, Superintendent, Highline School District
• Jessica Vavrus, Executive Director, OSPI / AESD Network
• Joanna Santana, CTE Business and Marketing Teacher, Quincy School District
• Joel Aune, Exec. Director, WASA
• Johanaly Torres, Student, Quincy School District
• John Doelman, Student, Elma School District
• John Welch, Superintendent, Puget Sound ESD
• Jurnee Robinson, Student, Highline SD
• Justin Levin, Student, Evergreen Public Schools
• Kevin Jacka Lead, Superintendent/CEO, The Rural Alliance
• Dr. Kimberly Hetrick, Director of Career Connect Washington, WSAC
• Lauren Erickson, Student, Spokane Public Schools
• Lauren Mendez, Chief Executive Officer, Washington State Counselor Association (WSCA)
• Liliana Whitmore, Student, Evergreen Public Schools
• Loyaltee Howard, Student, Federal Way Public Schools
• Lucina Valenzuela, Student, Quincy School District
• Lynne Varner, Exec. Director, WA STEM
• Lynsee Bednarik, Student, Elma School District
• Madeleyne (Juno) De Leon, Student, Shoreline Public Schools
• Maile Esperas, Student, Spokane Public Schools
• Marquise Dixon CEO, Degrees of Change
• Marton Mezei, Student, Spokane Public Schools
• Dr. Matt Oberst, Principal, Federal Way Public Schools
• Michael Cheever, Exec. Vice President, Strategy and External Affairs, College Success Foundation
• Michael Meotti, Exec. Director, Washington Student Achievement Council
• Michelle Price, Superintendent, North Central ESD
• Nahomi Sotelo-Navarro, Student, Walla Walla School District
• Dr. Nik Bergman, Superintendent, Quincy School District
• Paige Eaton, Student, Shoreline Public Schools
• Randy Spaulding, Exec. Director, State Board of Education
• Richi Rameriz, Student, Highline School District
• Ruben Flores, Exec. Director, Council of Presidents
• Scott Seaman, Exec. Director, Association of Washington State Principals
• Sergio Fragozo, Student, Highline School District
• Steve Mullin, President, Washington Roundtable
• Dr. Steven Gering, CAO in Residence, Abl Schools
• Susan Rose, Teacher, Quincy School District
• Dr. Susana Reyes, Superintendent, Shoreline Public Schools
• Tennille Jeffries-Simmons, Chief of Staff, OSPI
• Dr. Terri Standish-Kuon, President & CEO, Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW)
• Dr. Wade Smith, Superintendent, Walla Walla School District

Gates Foundation Representatives:

• Dr. Angela Jones, Director, Washington State
• Dr. Bish Paul, Senior Program Officer, Policy
• Kathleen Walsh, Deputy Director, Strategy, Planning & Management
• Dr. Tim Herron, Deputy Director, Washington State
• Travis Franklin, Senior Program Officer

The Scholar First:

• Dr. Tammy Campbell CEO and Founder, The Scholar First, Facilitator of the Education Roundtable
• Ashley Campbell
• Kassie Swenson

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