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Mission

The Board of Trustees of Eastern Washington University will assure students, their families and the citizens of the state of Washington that the university will provide high quality, student-centered educational and service programs. Promoting excellence, the Board will further assure that the university is accountable, both academically and financially. The board will serve as an advocate for the university, as a steward of the public trust, and as a participant in charting the future course of Washington post-secondary education.

Meet the Board Members

Jay J. ManningUriel Iñiguez Christine Johnson

James Murphy Vicki WilsonCarol Evans

 

Uriel Iñiguez, Chair of the Board

Original Appointment: Jan. 1, 2014
Term Expires: Sept. 30, 2025
Hometown: Olympia, WA
Profession: Administrative Management
Other Assignment: Audit Committee

Uriel Iñiguez holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on human resources from Eastern Washington University, and he has a master’s degree in public administration from City University. Iñiguez is a first-generation immigrant from Michoacán, Mexico. He is the oldest of 11 children, six of his siblings and his two sons have graduated from Eastern Washington University. Gabe graduated in 2014 with a BA in business administration, and Uriel’s youngest son, Max, graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Appointed by Gov. Inslee to the EWU Board of Trustees in 2014, Iñiguez is the director of community relations at the Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries. He also served as the director of the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs from 2005-2016. Prior to his appointment as executive director, he worked for the Department of Corrections, where he held various management positions.

In October 2013, four of the Iñiguez alumni from Eastern Washington University began the Iñiguez Family Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will help first-generation Latino students complete their college degrees.

Trustee Iñiguez looks forward to working with the other trustees and the president to ensure EWU continues to fulfill its mission of expanding opportunities for personal transformation through excellence in learning and in making EWU one of the leading educational institutions.

Christine Johnson, Vice Chair

Original Appointment: March 23, 2023
Term Expires:  Sept. 30, 2027
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Profession: Education

Dr. Christine Johnson served as the Community Colleges of Spokane chancellor from 2010-2022. She has decades of collaborative management and mentoring experience and brings skills in executive direction, policy, and civic leadership, as well as a demonstrated commitment to higher education. She advocates for the sustained improvement in the quality and delivery of education that results in positive student outcomes and institutional transformation.

“EWU plays a vital role in the higher education ecosystem in eastern Washington and throughout the state,” says Johnson. “Eastern serves a key role as transfer partner for 40 percent of Community Colleges of Spokane students who choose to transfer. I’m honored to have an opportunity to support student success as job number one to ensure the region’s economic and workforce development is strengthened as a result of EWU’s priorities and actions.”

Johnson also previously served as the president of the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges (WACTC) – 2021-2022, and was named Pacific Region CEO and National CEO of the Year in 2022.

Jay J. Manning, Trustee

Original Appointment: Nov. 25, 2015
Term Expires: Sept. 30, 2027
Hometown: Olympia, WA
Profession: Law
Other Assignments: Medals and Awards Committee and Investment Advisory Committee

Jay J. Manning rejoined Cascadia Law Group in 2011 after more than six years as director of the Washington Department of Ecology and Gov. Gregoire’s chief of staff. His practice focuses on environmental and energy matters, providing consulting, legislative and legal assistance.

As chief of staff from 2009-2011, Manning worked closely with the governor and her cabinet and senior staff to address budgetary and public policy challenges facing state government.  As director of ecology from 2005-2009, he focused on managing the state’s water resources, including creation of the Office of Columbia River, guiding the effort to bring the Puget Sound back to good health by 2020, including the creation of the Puget Sound Partnership and addressing climate change and the daunting threat it poses to Washington’s economy and environment.

Manning co-chaired the Washington State Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification in 2012, which led to an executive order directing the state’s implementation of the panel’s recommendations for a coordinated, regional response. Manning is board chair for Washington Environmental Council, vice chair of the Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council, a member of the Board of the Ruckelshaus Center, a member of the University of Washington’s College of the Environment Board and—most importantly—a proud Eastern Washington University alum.

Manning has three grown children and two lovely and brilliant grandchildren. He enjoys riding his bicycle, traveling, reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends.

James Murphy, Trustee

Original Appointment: Oct. 16, 2012
Term Expires: Sept. 30, 2024
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Profession: Law
Other Assignments: Investment Advisory Committee and EWU Foundation Board

Judge James Murphy earned his BA in political science from Eastern before going on to law school, earning a JD from Gonzaga University in 1973.

Murphy served on the bench for 26 years in Spokane County, retiring as a superior court judge in 2003. He currently serves on the International Court of Arbitration for Sport. Murphy is an avid skier, hiker and camper. He is also extensively involved in USA Track and Field and is a certified official who has officiated the Goodwill Games, the U.S. Olympic Trials and the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a long-time member of the Spokane Sports Commission and the Lands Council.

“As a graduate, I have watched an amazing transformation occur at the university since my days as a student,” Murphy said. “I know this growth was largely made possible by the leadership of an active board of trustees and dedicated leadership provided by staff and the Office of the President. I am proud to be part of such a creative group of people and such a dynamic process.”

Vicki Wilson, Trustee

Original Appointment: Oct. 16, 2012
Term Expires: Sept. 30, 2024
Hometown: Richland, WA
Profession: Management
Other Assignment: Audit Committee

Vicki Wilson is a software engineering services manager in the Information Management organization for Mission Support Alliance in Richland, Washington. She earned her BA in business administration from Eastern in 1981.

Wilson serves as a foundation board member of Columbia Basin College (CBC) in Pasco, Washington, and also serves on the advisory council for CBC’s Information Technology Department and is a Class V Leadership Tri-Cities graduate.

“I am very honored to be appointed to the board of trustees for Eastern Washington University,” said Wilson. “EWU’s president, faculty, staff and board of trustees have truly made Eastern an outstanding place to receive your college education. EWU was a very important part of my early adult years and has played a significant role in who am I today. I’m excited and look forward in helping to continue the great tradition of EWU.”

Carol Evans, Trustee

Original Appointment: July 2, 2024
Term Expires: Sept. 30, 2029
Hometown: Wellpinit, WA

Biography coming soon 

Alexis Alexander, Trustee

Original Appointment: August 1, 2024
Term Expires: Sept. 30, 2029
Hometown: Medical Lake, WA

Biography coming soon 

Drew Shirk, Trustee

Original Appointment: October 1, 2024
Term Expires: Sept. 30, 2030
Hometown: Tacoma, WA

Biography coming soon