Maureen West appointed to WWU Board of Trustees

Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed healthcare leader Maureen West of Bellingham to Western Washington University’s Board of Trustees.

“I thank Maureen West for her service and am confident she will help foster Western's tradition of academic excellence and outstanding service to its students,” Inslee said.

West’s six-year term on the Board of Trustees ends Sept. 30, 2021.

“Maureen West brings a wealth of knowledge about the healthcare field and expertise in higher education to Western’s Board of Trustees,” said WWU President Bruce Shepard.

Karen Lee, chair of Western’s Board of Trustees, said that, “I look forward to working with Maureen West as we support the many talented people who make Western such a very special place.”

West has extensive experience in the healthcare field and in health policy. She received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Iowa, a master’s of Science in Nursing from the Catholic University of America and her doctorate in Nursing from the University of Washington. 

“I am honored to serve on the Board of Trustees,” West said. “The University has a well-deserved reputation for excellence and I look forward to working with President Shepard and the other trustees.”

West served for eight years as a legislative assistant with the U.S. Senate, with the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, Subcommittee on Disability Policy, and as a professional staff member to former U.S. Sen. Robert Dole, responsible for legislation relating to various health, education, disability and social policy programs.

In addition to her government and academic experience, West has worked as a nurse for over 30 years. She has also served as an instructor in Western’s RN-BSN program; as adjunct faculty in the School of Health Sciences at Seattle Pacific University, and is a member of the faculty at the University of Washington, Bothell School of Nursing and Health Studies. She has been active on many local non-profit boards including Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood, the Bellingham Festival of Music, PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation and the Brigid Collins Family Support Center.