Governor Appoints Ramiro Espinoza New WWU Student Trustee

Bellingham -- Ramiro Espinoza has been appointed student trustee at Western Washington University and will be the first-ever WWU graduate student to serve in that capacity.

Appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire, Espinoza will serve on Western’s Board of Trustees until June 30, 2011.

“Ramiro Espinoza is an exceptionally talented leader whose service to Western has already benefited our campus in many ways. We all are very pleased that we will have the opportunity for his insights and guidance as our new student trustee,” said WWU President Bruce Shepard.

As a trustee, Espinoza will represent all the citizens of Washington, but give a valuable perspective to the board because of his experience as a Western student.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to give back to our campus community and state. Western has done so much to further my education and growth and I am excited to support the critical service the university brings to the citizens and to the state of Washington," Espinoza said.

Espinoza received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Anthropology in 2008 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Western. Most recently he was employed as a staff recruiter in the WWU Human Resources Department. While an undergraduate student at Western he served as the 2007-2008 Associated Students President, a member of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, an ex-officio member of the WWU Board of Trustees and the WWU Foundation Board, and on several university committees.

Espinoza has a strong commitment to community. He is currently a member of the Whatcom Museum of History and Art Board of Trustees, the WWU Alumni Association Board of Directors and has volunteered for the Fairhaven Neighborhood Association and Worksource Whatcom

A graduate of Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, Wash., Espinoza received an EMT-B Certification at Columbia Basin College. He served as a Sergeant in the U. S. Marine Corps, 1998 – 2003.

Espinoza is the son of Carmen Curtis and the late Paul Espinoza of the Tri-Cities.