Governor Inslee Appointments to WCC board of Trustees
January 18, 2018
Gov. Jay Inslee has made two new appointments to Whatcom Community College’s (WCC) Board of Trustees. Wendy Bohlke and Rebecca Johnson began their terms in November.
Bohlke (left), now retired, worked in the Washington State Office of the Attorney General as the senior counsel and assistant attorney general for 34 years. She served as legal counsel to WCC and Western Washington University (WWU) for several decades. She was awarded a lifetime membership to the National Association of College and University Attorneys in 2014 for outstanding service and contributions.
Bohlke earned her bachelor's degree in political science from University of Washington and law degree from Willamette University. She has served on numerous community boards, such as Whatcom County LAW Advocates, Mount Baker Theater, Mount Baker Planned Parenthood, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, and Whatcom 4-H Council.
Johnson (right) is a healthcare and management consultant with 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She is owner and president of Health Center Solutions, Inc., a consulting firm for community health clinics. She serves on the advisory board for WWU’s human services program and is co-president of the Bellingham/Whatcom League of Women Voters. She has been involved with many local organizations, including Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access, Evergreen AIDS Foundation, Northwest Youth Services, Bellingham/Whatcom Commission Against Domestic Violence, and Whatcom County Housing Advisory Council.
Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in humanities from Washington State University, master’s degree in nonprofit leadership from Seattle University, and graduate certificate in public health from the University of Washington.
The trustees are appointed by the governor and typically serve five-year terms and/or until their successors are appointed, and must reside within the College's district boundaries. The board's duties include setting the College's strategic direction, establishing policy, awarding tenure, approving the operating budget and hiring the College president. Other members of WCC’s Board of Trustees are Steve Adelstein, attorney at law, Adelstein, Sharpe & Serka; Tim Douglas, retired, former mayor of Bellingham; and John Pedlow, retired business executive.
About Whatcom: Whatcom Community College is a regionally and nationally accredited college with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 11,000 students annually. The College works closely with industry to prepare graduates to excel in their fields and meet emerging business trends. On its campus in Bellingham, Wash., and through online courses, Whatcom offers a four-year bachelor of applied science, transfer and professional-technical degrees, as well as basic education, job skills training, and community education classes. For more information, visit whatcom.edu.
