Emily Yim appointed to state community and technical college board
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed Emily Yim of Mukilteo as a member of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Yim brings an extensive background in education to the State Board. She currently
serves as the president and CEO of Washington Alliance for Better Schools, a statewide
nonprofit dedicated to ensuring students furthest from opportunity can pursue a future
that embraces their strengths, passions, and dreams. She also served as a member of
the Edmonds College Board of Trustees for 13 years. While in that role, Yim was elected to the Association of Community College Trustees board, lending her service as chair of the organization, as well as chair of its
Public Policy Committee and chair of the Asian Pacific Islander and Native American
Caucus. ACCT is a national nonprofit representing over 6,500 trustees that govern
the country's more than 1,200 community and technical colleges. Yim also served on
the board of the Washington, DC-based American Association of Community Colleges.
"I'm passionate about ensuring all students, particularly those furthest from opportunity — including immigrants, refugees, first-generation and low-income students — receive the support necessary for success," Yim said. "Our Washington state community and technical colleges are at the forefront of innovation, creativity and equity-driven solutions. I firmly believe that these colleges are essential for providing talent, family-wage careers and economic vitality both in our state and across the country."
Yim is a guest speaker and consultant for community and technical colleges and serves as faculty at the American Association of Community Colleges teaching future community and technical college leaders.
Yim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington. Outside of her professional roles, she likes to spend time with her husband and son, who was a Running Start student and recently started at the University of Washington.
The nine-member, governor-appointed Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges provides leadership, advocacy, and coordination for Washington’s system of 34 public community and technical colleges. Each year, over 290,000 students train for the workforce, prepare to transfer to a university, gain basic math and English skills, or pursue continuing education.
Yim succeeds Fred Whang of Tacoma.
