Who We Are

This project is a product of the Master of Public Administration program at The Evergreen State College. 

In Spring of 2020, two grad students researched school districts within Thurston County with the hopes of empowering citizens to become the leaders of tomorrow. Our hope is to offer members of the community a variety of resources to explore the steps toward running for office and break down barriers to the process. By helping others imagine new possibilities to accomplish positive change by “seeing” themselves as a qualified candidate, we can create opportunities to elect a government that embraces diversity and is more representative of its constituents.  

Take a look at our resources, and find out if being a school board member is a way you would like to give back to your community through this unpaid, elected position.

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The mission statement of the Master of Public Administration program is: Our students, faculty and staff create learning communities to explore and implement socially just, democratic public service.

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We think critically and creatively; communicate effectively; work collaboratively; embrace diversity; we value fairness and equity; advocate powerfully on behalf of the public; and imagine new possibilities to accomplish positive change in our workplaces and in our communities. “Be the change.” 

The following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities gained in the MPA program were utilized in this project:

• Knowledge: Knowledge of policies and requirements to run for school board.

• Skills: Policy Research, policy analysis, project management planning, and effective data visualization.

• Abilities: Communicating policy, qualitative research, plain speak.

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