Michael Meotti *

Executive Director, Washington Student Achievement Council

Michael Meotti was appointed Executive Director of the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) by Governor Jay Inslee in December 2016. Mr. Meotti previously served as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and Executive Vice President of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

WSAC is the state’s higher education agency with the primary responsibility to facilitate the development of state policy on higher education, working with elected officials, colleges and universities, employers, nonprofits, and other organizations interested in increasing higher education attainment. The agency manages Washington’s extensive student financial aid programs, college readiness programs, and the 529 programs, GET, and DreamAhead.

Michael has extensive experience in higher education policy, finance, and innovation. Prior to joining WSAC, he consulted on a number of national higher education initiatives supported by foundations and worked on regional and state strategies to increase student access and success. He taught higher education policy at George Washington University.

Mr. Meotti served in leadership positions in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors. He was the President of the United Way of Connecticut and President of the Connecticut Policy and Economic Council. He also served in the Connecticut State Senate for four terms. Michael holds a bachelor’s and a law degree from Georgetown University.

Gerry Pollet

Representative, Washington State Legislature

Representative Gerry Pollet has served in the Washington State House since December 2011. Gerry is an attorney and faculty member at the UW School of Public Health. Gerry is Vice-Chair of the House Higher Education Committee and serves on the Education and Finance Committees.  Gerry was the author of the successful efforts in 2016 to pass the nation’s first comprehensive regulation of electronic cigarettes and a comprehensive program responding to the critical shortage of teachers in Washington, including a grant program to pay tuition for low income students seeking to be teachers in under served areas. Gerry has been honored as the “Legislator of the Year” for his work to improve affordable access to higher education and improved student success. He is the House sponsor of “The Washington Promise,” for free community college tuition.

Thomas L. (Les) Purce

President Emeritus, The Evergreen State College

Dr. Thomas L. (Les) Purce is President Emeritus of The Evergreen State College from which he retired in 2015 after 17 years of service in that position. The Evergreen State College is known for its innovative approach to interdisciplinary study in the arts and sciences, and for its commitment to equity, inclusiveness, and social justice. It is a higher education leader in environmentally sustainable practices. Previously, Dr. Purce served in senior administrative positions at Idaho State University and as a vice-president at Washington State University. Les is a third-generation Idahoan whose family arrived in Idaho in the early 1900s. He was the first Black elected official in the state of Idaho, serving as a Pocatello City council member and then as Mayor. After that, he served first as Director of the Idaho Department of Administration and later, Director of the Department of Health and Welfare. In the private sector, he served as a partner and chief operating officer of Power Engineers in Hailey, Idaho.

Debra Entenman

Representative, Washington State Legislature

Mari Leavitt

Representative, Washington State Legislature

Gerry Pollet

Representative, Washington State Legislature

Representative Gerry Pollet has served in the Washington State House since December 2011. Gerry is an attorney and faculty member at the UW School of Public Health. Gerry is Vice-Chair of the House Higher Education Committee and serves on the Education and Finance Committees.  Gerry was the author of the successful efforts in 2016 to pass the nation’s first comprehensive regulation of electronic cigarettes and a comprehensive program responding to the critical shortage of teachers in Washington, including a grant program to pay tuition for low income students seeking to be teachers in under served areas. Gerry has been honored as the “Legislator of the Year” for his work to improve affordable access to higher education and improved student success. He is the House sponsor of “The Washington Promise,” for free community college tuition.

Vandana Slatter

Representative, Washington State Legislature