Board
Graduate Washington is governed by a Chair and Board of Directors. These individuals are responsible for raising and distributing funds, organizing events, engaging the broader community and setting the strategic direction of the organization. Board members serve two year terms that are open to renewal.
Are you dedicated to the accessibility, affordability, and quality of higher education in WA? Consider applying to become a Graduate Washington Board Member! Email our Board chair at info@graduatewashington.org for more information.
Board of Directors
Jay See is a Seattle native, raised in the Ballard community, and is a third generation graduate of Ballard High School. Jay earned his Associates degree from Shoreline Community College in 1994 and his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Washington State University in 1996. Jay’s passions include bettering our community’s future by supporting educational causes. Jay has served on the Board of Directors for the WSU Alumni Association and as President of the WSU Greek Alumni Organization. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Ballard High School Foundation. In addition, Jay volunteers with Seattle Works, WSU Impact, and the WSU Alumni Association – King County Chapter.
Professionally, Jay has worked in the finance industry since he was in college. He currently oversees Compliance and New Business for a Bellevue based regional financial services firm. Jay has always believed in the premise that in order to make the community a better place, one must to take action. Jay’s other passions and interests include spending time at his family’s vacation home on Whidbey Island, wine, travel, Sounders Soccer, and all things Cougar.
Thomas Pitchford is a native of Baton Rouge, LA, and has been active in politics since moving to Washington State in 2004. From 2009 to 2011, Thomas worked as the Development and Community Outreach Director with Equal Rights Washington. Prior to 2009, Thomas worked first with Colby Underwood, a firm specializing in campaign finance, then later as an independent consultant. In 2008, he worked as campaign manager for the 2008 re-election of Congressman Jim McDermott, and as the Field Director for the campaign of Congressman Jay Inslee in 2004. Prior to 2004, Thomas spent seven years as a student affairs professional.
Thomas earned Bachelor’s degrees from Southeastern Louisiana University and Louisiana State University and a Master’s degree in Higher Education from Indiana University. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Victory Fund (National Campaign Board), the Institute for a Democratic Future (IDF), and World Arts Access, a Seattle-based arts-education NGO. Thomas also serves as a divisional officer and chapter advisor for Delta Tau Delta and served for the past five years on the board of the UW Alumni Interfraternity Council, including service as AIFC board president in 2011. Thomas and his partner of nine years, Andrew Kamins, live in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.
Isaac Prevost is a third-year student at the University of Washington School of Law. He lives in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood and grew up in Centralia. He also works part-time as a law clerk with a commercial litigation firm and has interned with the Seattle City Attorney’s Office. Isaac is a proud “Double Dawg,” having received his Bachelor of Arts from UW as well. He participated in the Political Science Honors program, chaired the student senate, and was active in campus politics during his time as an undergraduate.
Isaac worked in state politics prior to attending law school. He managed a successful legislative campaign during the 2014 election and then served as the Legislative Assistant to Representative Strom Peterson. In that position, he had the opportunity to work on issues including the opioid epidemic, groundwater protection, and public construction projects. In his spare time, he enjoys running, hiking, and keeping up with the latest movies. Isaac joined Graduate Washington because he believes that an accessible and adequately-funded public higher education system is key to facilitating opportunities in our region.
Jessica Murillo-Rosales is an Exploratory Advisor at Central Washington University. Born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley (East Wenatchee specifically) Jessica moved to Ellensburg to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and complete her Master’s degree in Education, Higher Education.
Jessica has been involved in various things such as the treasurer for CWU’s Graduate Student Association, McNair Post-Baccalaureate Program, CWU’s SOURCE, Sociology’s Honors society and TRiO SSS student ambassador.
Jessica’s main involvement with Washington state’s educational climate was during her term as a student representative for the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). Collaborating with educational program coordinators and legislators helped spark an interest to continually learn policies that run higher educational institutes.
Emily currently interns with Seattle City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw’s office while completing her final year of law school. She lives in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle and looks forward to pursuing a career in local politics. Emily believes in higher education funding for all so that everyone may have opportunities to pursue their interests and help their communities thrive.
