Sarah Wise — Introduced as Director of College Access Initiatives.
Joel Anderson — Joel Anderson is introduced and then introduces himself on the record as the Associate Director of Legislative and External Affairs at the Washington Student Achievement Council, continuing the opening remarks about his role and the council.
T'wina Nobles — Addressed as Chair.
T'wina Nobles — Chair/sponsor referenced as 'Senator Nobles' in the motion on the proposed substitute.
Drew Hansen — Addressed as Vice Chair.
Drew Hansen — Likely the speaker or referenced presenter in the prior context; no direct name appears in this excerpt, so this is not tagged here.
Drew Hansen — Referred to as Vice Chair Hanson in the transcript; likely intended to be Vice Chair Hansen.
Sarah Weiss — Introduced herself as Director of College Access Initiatives at the Washington Student Achievement Council.
Sarah — Sarah is introduced as a colleague who presented to students about financial aid and post-secondary opportunities, then Joel turns the discussion over to her. Sarah begins her testimony by thanking Joel and introducing updates on the modernization of the financial aid outreach strategy.
Dr. Melissa Beard — Introduced herself as representing the Council of Presidents for Washington's six public four-year institutions.
Monir Fatay — Introduced themselves as the Shelton Promise Program Manager at Evergreen State College and said they were joined by a student intern.
Alana Carstons — Alana Carstons introduced herself as a first-generation Evergreen student and Shelton graduate involved with Shelton Promise, then expanded that she serves as a peer mentor and peer health educator, is also a student athlete, and recently won her second national championship.
Judy Warnick — Identified as the Ranking Member and the first to move with a question about a 'Hungry Greener voucher.'
Judy Warnick — During the closing exchange, Chair Nobles thanked the witness and referenced Ranking Member Judy Warnick, while also exchanging friendly greetings that acknowledged having met the witness the previous week.
Tishra Beeson — Introduces herself as presenting virtually on behalf of Central Washington University.
Latasha Wertham / Wortham — Announced as an appointee to the Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees and invited to the testimony table.
Latasha Wortham — Latasha Wortham was sworn in and then gave a continuous personal introduction explaining her background and deep ties to Tacoma Community College. She said she has served on the college’s Board of Trustees for five years, grew up in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood, and was the first in her family to attend college. She described how her brother attended Tacoma Community College and later advanced academically and professionally, how her mother later returned to Tacoma Community College to earn an A.A., and how she recently handed her daughter her nursing degree from the college. Overall, she emphasized that her family’s educational journey and her Tacoma roots make it especially meaningful to continue serving as a trustee.
Acacia Ingram — Acacia Ingram introduced herself and identified her pronouns, tribal and racial identity, and role as a student trustee on the Evergreen State College Board of Trustees. She testified that serving in this position has taught her the importance of advocating for students and valuing student voice in governance. She also described her leadership in the Native Student Alliance and her involvement in the Native Pathways program as part of her broader advocacy work. The chair then clarified that she serves on the Evergreen State College Board of Trustees.
Monica Yu — Monica Yu introduces herself as a student with experience at three undergraduate institutions, including Bellevue College and the University of Washington, and notes her first-generation background. She explains that she serves as the undergraduate council member on the Washington Student Achievement Council and as the council’s basic needs citizen lead, where she advocates for students who should not have to choose between textbooks and meals. She emphasizes that her goal is to bring student perspectives, especially those of the current generation, into education policy and civic engagement.
Colin Bannister — Colin Bannister introduced himself as a Washington State University student and nominee for the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, noting his prior service and his role as Washington Student Association president. He spoke about how the Washington College Grant and Workforce Education Investment Act support student access and emphasized the importance of using those funds as intended, concluding by thanking staff, the Washington Student Achievement Council, higher education partners, and legislators for their work.
Amina Hussein — Amina Hussein introduced herself in testimony for appointment to the Washington State University Board of Regents, describing her background as an immigrant from Kenya and her commitment to service and equity. She outlined her early leadership experience as a student body president and student representative on the Evergreen Public School Board, then explained that she is now a senior at Washington State University studying political science. She highlighted her campus leadership roles, including president of the African Diaspora Association and director of community affairs for ASWSU, and noted that she serves as WSU student regent, the first Black woman in university history to hold that position. She concluded by emphasizing the importance of the student regent role, her goals of protecting WSU’s land-grant mission and ensuring students are represented intentionally, and her broader commitment to servant leadership.
Ramatouli Ba (questionable transcription) — The next witness was introduced; the name appears to be a mis-transcription of Ramatoula Bob/Rama.
Ramatoula Bob (Rama) — Ramatoula Bob (Rama) introduced herself as the student trustee on the Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees and shared her background as a first-generation student from an immigrant family. She explained that she also serves as president of the Black Student Union, where she gathers student input to bring back to the board. She described how serving as student trustee helps bridge the gap between students and the board so students feel heard, and noted that she recently lobbied in Olympia during Eastern Washington University’s Lobby Day 2026 for the Washington College Grant. The chair then briefly acknowledged having met her the previous week and exchanged pleasantries.
Apollonio Pablo Hernandez (Polo) — Apollonio Pablo Hernandez, who goes by Polo, introduced himself and explained that his background in migrant families shapes his perspective on serving on the University of Washington Board of Regents. He emphasized access and opportunity for Washington residents pursuing college, trades, or other higher education, noted that he is a PhD candidate at the University of Washington, and raised concerns about how education systems should adapt to technology, especially AI. He discussed both student use of AI and institutional responses to issues like cheating, while also noting broader access concerns, including in rural communities. The exchange concluded with the chair thanking him and referring to him as future Dr. Polo Hernandez.
Kayla Lanandi (questionable transcription) — The next witness was introduced for testimony on the Edmonds Community College Board of Trustees; the name appears inconsistently transcribed.
Kyle Gitalinadi (questionable transcription) — Introduced herself as a second-year Edmonds College student studying psychology on a pre-law track and began describing her move at age 17.
Kyle Gitalinadi / student trustee nominee — Kyle Gitalinadi described moving from Jakarta, Indonesia, to Washington at age 17 and initially expecting Edmonds College to be just a place to study, but instead finding a supportive community that helped him discover his voice. He then explained that this experience inspired him to give back by serving as a resident assistant and staying involved in volunteer work, including Permias, an organization that supports Indonesian students abroad.
Kyle Gitalinadi / student trustee — Kyle Gitalinadi, appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson as a student trustee for Edmonds College, testified about the importance of ensuring student perspectives are represented in decision-making and that policies reflect students’ real experiences. He concluded by thanking President Singh, fellow trustees, and his family for their support, and offered to answer any questions.
Ashlyn Tippett — Ashlyn Tippett introduced herself as a first-generation senior at Western Washington University and the current student trustee. She described her academic background as a double major with plans for graduate study, explained that she spent the last three years preparing for the trustee role, and highlighted prior service on university advisory and advancement committees. She emphasized her commitment to advocating for students, faculty, staff, accessibility, and marginalized students, and spoke about working with fellow trustees, approving degrees, and engaging with the university’s current challenges. She also mentioned looking forward to a tour of the House of Healing construction project, her work as a student ambassador connecting students with donors, alumni, and administration, and her future plans to pursue a public policy internship in Pierce County.
SB6325 — Senate Bill 6325 was taken up in executive session, with staff briefly outlining that it shifts certain higher-education cost increases from tuition funds to state appropriations over time and includes a WSIPP study requirement. After the committee returned from caucus, it resumed consideration of the bill, took up proposed substitute A, adopted the substitute, and then moved the bill forward with a due pass recommendation to the Ways and Means Committee.
Kelly Gunn — Staff member briefing the committee on Senate Bill 6325.
Kelly Gunn — Kelly is asked whether a number was missed in the appointment list.