Meet the Bargaining Committee!

The nomination period for the most recent vacancy election ended at 11:59pm on Sunday, March 17th, 2024. At that point, 3 educational student employees (ESE) had accepted their nominations! Since there were fewer accepted nominations than vacant bargaining committee spots (5), each of the 3 nominees were automatically appointed.

Please join us in welcoming them to the team!!!

Selena Knoblauch, History

Selena Knoblauch, History

Graduate Teaching Assistant

I am in my second year at Western, and my second year participating in the wonderful communal project that is Western Academic Workers United. Throughout my time here I have talked to many many student employees who have had working experiences at Western that range from the frustrating to the horrifying, and I have personally experienced the harsh financial squeeze that comes with being a student employee. I want to join the bargaining committee because it is the most direct way to contribute to reducing that strain on student workers.

Beyond the financial, we need communal support networks in this working community, and we need a way to stand up for each other, particularly those of us who struggle to resist institutionalized exclusion and abuse. As a trans person, support for institutionally marginalized communities is something that affects me directly. A union like WAWU is the single best way for minority groups across the social spectrum to win necessary protections that save lives. I see joining the bargaining committee as a way to contribute to the formation of those protections, and to building a culture at WAWU that includes and encourages the efforts of everyone.

Paige Koenig, Geology

Paige Koenig, Geology

Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant

I’m interested in joining because I want to help with all the work that goes into article writing and revisions! I’ve been a note taker for the past half year bargaining and now that I’m almost graduated I really want to contribute more.

Taylar Christianson, Hascherl Research & Writing Studio

Taylar Christianson, Hascherl Research & Writing Studio

Tutor

I’ve been involved with WAWU in whatever ways I can for a year now, and have been constantly energized and inspired by working alongside the BC; it’s so cool to be making such huge strides as a group of students who have never bargained a contract before figuring this out together. I hope to bring an undergrad perspective and connections to the BC and to give all the work and energy I can to the finalization of our contract! Even though I am graduating this spring and won’t be impacted by our contract, it’s incredibly important to me that ALL the student employees at Western are given a living wage and job security, and that we are no longer exploited by the uncaring bureaucracy of a state university.

Incumbent bargaining committee members! 

Lydia Henderson, Experimental Psychology

Lydia Henderson, Experimental Psychology

Graduate Teaching Assistant - Psychology Department

I want to join the Bargaining Committee to hold WWU accountable for how they disregard student workers. Western believes that we are just students- and has used this narrative to deprive working students of essential rights. We deserve a workplace that promotes our health, safety, and livelihood. I would be honored to help change this narrative for ourselves and everyone after us. 

Theo Hytopoulos, Computer Science

Theo Hytopoulos, Computer Science

Teaching Assistant - Computer Science Department

I have worked as a tutor, grader and TA in the Computer Science department. I want to increase equity and accessibility for student workers through our union.

 Ally Wehrle, English & Creative Writing

Ally Wehrle, English & Creative Writing

Graduate Teaching Assistant - English & Graduate Departments

I believe strongly in the power of collective bargaining and how important it is to represent the interests and needs of student workers at Western. This year, I’ve dedicated a lot of time to the union as part of the organizing and communications committees and want to continue that work as a member of the bargaining committee. This is such an important moment for student workers on campus, and we need to build a strong contract that will uplift, give power to, and support present and future educational student employees.

Evan Coit, Biology

Evan Coit, Biology

Graduate Teaching Assistant - Biology Department

WAWU presents Western with a unique opportunity to reestablish the value of higher education by lessening the financial burdens that currently limit or altogether prohibit the accumulation of wealth in disadvantaged populations. Contributing to this goal means so much more than making it easier to pay my own bills; if I have the opportunity to make education more accessible to those who already work above and beyond to allow this university to function, I’d be grateful. I strongly believe that Western Washington University is nonviable without the labor of ESEs and that power alone should merit the compliance of administration. Contributing to the manifestation of that power, and helping direct it towards positive change, is an incredible opportunity.

Valerie Campbell, East Asian Studies

Valerie Campbell, East Asian Studies

Peer Advisor - Financial Aid

Hello! I’m Valerie Campbell, a senior undergraduate student here at WWU, and I am running for a Peer Advisor position on the bargaining committee. I joined WAWU in February and have rapidly organized my home department (Financial Aid) as well as find connections in other departments across campus. I am working behind the scenes to help run WAWU’s social media accounts and assist wherever I am needed. If elected as a member of the Bargaining Committee I wish to represent Work Study student employees and the unique struggles that we face. I envision a bargaining process where every voice is heard, and I believe we can negotiate a contract that does not compromise on justice, transparency, and equality. Western could not operate without us and it’s about time they recognized this and compensated us fairly!

Erin Magarro, History

Erin Magarro, History

Tutor - Library Tutoring Center

Hi! I’m Erin Magarro (they/she)—a history buff, baker, lover of pop culture—and most importantly a proud member of WAWU. Since joining the effort in September 2022, me and my coworkers have successfully organized the majority of the Tutoring Center to sign in support of WAWU’s formation. Working consistently as a member of the OC (organizing committee) has brought me in community with student workers who love this campus enough to critique and improve it. Their spirit has steadily treated my nihilism and empowered me to seek membership on the bargaining committee (BC). As part of the BC I look forward to winning us wages that reflect rise in inflation, hourly guarantees, and an ameliorated Title IX processes. There is no excuse for the Title IX office to lose reports of harassment and leave the most vulnerable members of our community without a voice. My experience as a non-binary person of color in our community is a crucial perspective to have on a bargaining committee where issues of anti-racism, prevention of harassment, and discrimination will be addressed. A strong union is a community of support, and as a member of the bargaining committee I will continue to fight to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our WWU community.

Mason Nicholas, Data Science

Mason Nicholas, Data Science

Computer Assistant - Student Technology Center

Erin Grimes, Mathematics

Erin Grimes, Mathematics

Graduate Teaching Assistant - Mathematics Department

I am a graduate student for the Mathematics department at Western. I have worked as a high school mathematics teacher and software engineer. During my undergraduate program at WWU, I worked as a mathematics research assistant and tutor. During those three years, I also lived in the back of a truck because I couldn’t afford the basic necessities for food, housing, and healthcare with the wages I was receiving for my labor.
I recognize the wide-ranging impacts of the inexorable trends toward corporatization of our educational institutions. I care urgently about the material conditions of the working class and am ready and willing to fight for our rights as student workers.
I believe it’s time to bring democracy into the workplace. It’s going to take all of us in solidarity. I recognize that the value of the institution comes from our labor – Western works because we do! I am a strong advocate for workers’ rights and will use my dedicated and passionate work on the ground to bring the voice of the people to the bargaining table.
Ben Workman Smith, Musicology

Ben Workman Smith, Musicology

Graduate Teaching Assistant - Music Department

I want to join the BC for several reasons.
1) I represent a notoriously hard-to-reach body of student workers on campus in music. I can make sure their voices are made known and their turnout increases
2) I am skilled in asking questions that see through bull shit lawyerisms and invite them to move away in a way that moves both parties forward.
3) I want to make sure this bargaining set has the best impact possible, even if I am not around to see the benefits.
Jude Ziliak, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Jude Ziliak, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Peer Advisor - Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center

I am an Electrical & Computer Engineering major and work as a Peer Advisor in the AASAC. I hope to join the WAWU Bargaining Committee and donate some of my time to furthering negotiations with Western admin. I hope to represent the interests of all student workers and in particular, student employees within the Engineering and Design Department. I have been organizing for WAWU in small ways during the past year, but hope to be helping more consistently as a member of your Bargaining Committee. Thank you!

Annie (Mickey) Jolliff, Biology

Annie (Mickey) Jolliff, Biology

Graduate Teaching Assistant - Biology Department

Gabe Wong, Energy Science & Technology

Gabe Wong, Energy Science & Technology

Peer Advisor - AS Student Senate

Hi, I’m Gabe. I became involved in WAWU this January, but I had been hearing about WAWU since last spring. I got involved when I found out that WAWU is about uniting lots of kinds student workers. When I realized this, I was enchanted by the prospect of real shared governance at Western, a first step towards forcing Western to address the needs of its student workers.
Over the past two months talking to you, my peers, I know you want change. I hope that I can inspire and organize us to raise our expectations and to reach them by making clear and strong demands.
I’m seeking a position on the bargaining committee because I want to look Western’s administrators in the eyes, make demands, and know that they have to listen not because of who I am, but because of the collective power of student workers — because we keep Western running.
In my year and a half at Western, I have been strongly involved in Shred the Contract, and last spring I was elected as a Student Senator. These experiences have showed me that administrators don’t respond to strong arguments and rhetoric, the language they speak is power.
Together we have power, together Western must listen to us. I hope you choose me to channel our power.

Jaime Blais, Marine & Estuarine Science

Jaime Blais, Marine & Estuarine Science

Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant - Biology Department

When I attended the first bargaining session this fall to be on the notetaking team, I was so inspired by the bargaining committee members’ knowledge, work ethic, and courage.  It was then that I realized just how much power we have to make substantial improvements to student employees’ quality of life at Western.  I will do my absolute best to represent you and your needs, while holding the administration accountable.

Lexy Aydelotte, History

Lexy Aydelotte, History

Graduate Teaching Assistant - History Department

Having been with WAWU from the very beginning, I’ve dedicated myself to the cause for almost two years. In this time, I’ve seen the challenges and hurdles student workers encounter, and it’s fueled my commitment to drive change. At WAWU, we know that real progress starts with all of us getting involved. It’s not about trying to win hearts and minds in a boardroom, but about showing our strength through unity and determination. When Western Admin sees all of us, student workers, standing strong and united, they’ll have to listen. They said they wouldn’t bargain unless we passed a law, so we did. We can do this. Together, we’ll push for a fairer, safer and more inclusive university for everyone. I firmly believe that true leadership isn’t about commanding attention, eloquence, or always having the right answers. It’s about empowering each other and building a platform for our collective voice. If elected to the bargaining committee, I won’t just be an advocate; I’ll be an organizer, and a conduit between the issues that matter most and our fight for improvement, both at the bargaining table and in every facet of our workplace. Regardless of whether I’m elected or not, I’ll be treating solidarity like a verb, and working to make Western a more just, equitable, and livable place. It’s time for a new era of student activism, where every student worker has a say and a stake in our collective future. Join me in this movement for a materially just university. Together, we’ll make sure our voices are not just heard, but acted upon.

David Cummins, Chemistry

David Cummins, Chemistry

Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant - Chemistry Department

As a computational biochemist we invite collaboration between laboratories for the better good of drug discovery. Here at WAWU, we openly collaborate with every student worker to hear and address needs that have not been answered as time progresses forward. Our work here is for the future student workers, and that is a propellant on it’s own.

Previous Bargaining Committee Members!

Thank you for the groundwork you laid during your time fighting for our first contract!

Mara Sullivan, Women Gender & Sexuality Studies, Psychology

Mara Sullivan, Women Gender & Sexuality Studies, Psychology

Library Assistant - Haggard Hall & Wilson Library

I have no prior experience organizing or supporting union effort but am so proud to be a part of WAWU. I am hoping that WAWU is able to make WWU a better place not only for academic workers, but for students overall. During my time on the bargaining committee, I want to focus my efforts on disability advocation, a livable wage and benefits. My goal is to keep an open line of communication with the University to talk about problems that academic workers and students are facing.
If you ever see me at the library always feel welcome to come say hi! My passions are Stardew Valley (as well as other video games), reading, makeup, diamond painting and other crafts. I identify as a Sapphic leaning Bisexual and Demisexual, and use She/They pronouns.

Max Swenson, Woodring

Max Swenson, Woodring

Graduate Teaching Assistant - SMATE Department

Unionization and collective bargaining are important for resisting the dehumanizing practices of corporate policies/strategies. I’ll be a teacher one day, and it would be good to have more experience before joining that particular union.

Bryan Stout, Psychology

Bryan Stout, Psychology

Tutor - Library Tutoring Center

I believe that the most impactful change happens through empathy, clear communication, and a willingness to see issues from all possible perspectives. As a tutor, undeclared psychology major, and self-proclaimed “dude-who-really-enjoys-Logic,” I think that I have a lot of useful skills that would strengthen the BC. I also want to pursue any opportunity that would give me more experience in crafting arguments and effective communication

Teagan Ridgway, Biology

Teagan Ridgway, Biology

Graduate Teaching Assistant

If elected, I will make sure that we paid enough to live comfortably in Bellingham with its increasing housing prices.

Lily Rayor, Public Health

Lily Rayor, Public Health

Faculty Assistant

Hi all! Since starting my undergrad degree at Western in 2019, I’ve been looking for ways to cultivate community and belonging. Feeling seen and respected by our university and employer is a huge piece of having a positive college experience. Collectively bargaining for better working conditions and benefits can improve our physical and mental health, social lives, academics, and ability to do our jobs! I’ve only been a member of WAWU for a few weeks. I have endless amounts to learn about the logistics of unionizing and bargaining. However, I’m committed to the process and would be honored to represent you in securing our demands!
I currently work as a peer advisor in the Academic Advising Center, a teaching assistant in the Biology Department, and a research assistant in the Health and Human Development Department. I’m passionate about access to mental health services, community resilience, and love working with kids. I’m also a huge fan of reality TV dating shows, making art, and chilling with my cat. Look forward to getting to know each of you better, and thank you for the opportunity!

Andrea Wooley, Physics

Andrea Wooley, Physics

Faculty Assistant

You deserve transparency, reliability and fair compensation for your work. Western won’t provide these basic rights until we hold them accountable.
I’ve worked as a Physics TA for 3 years after a year working in my community college’s tutoring center. My involvement in worker organizing started in September when I shared my story at the first monthly membership meeting. Since then I have collected authorization cards, organized physics worker meetings, attended weekly committee meetings and traveled to Olympia to lobby for our bills to state senators and representatives. I regularly devote at least 6 hours a week to building a powerful network of workers at WWU.
I will show up at the bargaining table prepared to put my foot down, be a broken record and make impactful changes to the way Western treats their workers across campus.

Taylor Inman, Student Technology Center

Taylor Inman, Student Technology Center

Computer Assistant

First and foremost, I aim to be an advocate for the students and student employees of Western, and I hope to bring not my voice but the voice and input of the students and community members to ensure that they receive representation and have their thoughts and views heard. I am a strong advocate for transparency and safety on campus, especially in terms of university policy and training practices, and I have experience managing and training from a decade in the service industry as well as experience in academia from my current position as Makerspace Student Manager of the STC and receiving schooling from multiple colleges and universities over the years. I’ve minored in business administration and have first hand experience establishing my own side businesses and working with others to train them and bring them into the operation of those businesses, and my main goals are to expand upon that experience and offer aid and advice to whoever needs it, however they may need it, in pursuit of fair and equitable representation for all students and student employees across campus.

Willa Rowan, Geology

Willa Rowan, Geology

Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant

My name’s Willa, I use she/her pronouns, and I am a graduate student in Geology with a TA position in Science, Math, and Technology Education (SMATE). I’m one of over 1000 student employees doing a lot of the educational labor that makes Western run, and I’m grateful to represent our unit on the bargaining committee. I am focused on holding the university accountable to their stated value of a “Commitment to equity and justice, and respect for the rights and dignity of others”. The university has a lot of catching up to do in providing us with a living wage and basic rights and protections as workers, and a good first contract for our union would see Western finally walking the walk on equity and justice. Through my year and half organizing with WAWU I’ve learned so much about building community and power. I’m inspired by the leadership and care found in every department, and I’m committed to representing every voice in our negotiation process.

Joshua Kinney, English

Joshua Kinney, English

Faculty Assistant - Management Department

The union’s decisions this year will ripple for decades to come (we hope). I’d be honored to contribute my efforts to the enrichment (in every sense of the word) of current and future students.

Chris Reid, English

Chris Reid, English

Graduate Teaching Assistant

I’ve been helping build WAWU for a year and a half. In that year and a half, I’ve learned a lot: how to talk to strangers, how to talk to legislators, how spreadsheets work. But the biggest thing I’ve learned is that meaningful leadership is *not* about talking a lot, or being smart and inspirational, or even being in the right. Meaningful leadership isn’t about “leading” at all. It’s about giving others — in this case, the thousands of student workers at WWU — the hope, the knowledge, and the confidence to lead for themselves. If you elect me, that is what I will continue to do. I think you should join me and the rest of our committee at the bargaining table, but if you can’t, I’ll make sure you’re a part of what happens.

William Watts, Library Tutoring Center

William Watts, Library Tutoring Center

Tutor

My name is William Watts, and I am a tutor who has been organizing with WAWU since the fall of 2022. I have spent this time talking to peers in my workplace, exploring other departments, and having conversations about our experiences. During these conversations, I have learned about our many unique workplaces across campus, as well as what they have in common. Some of the many issues tying us together include rent burden, cross campus transparency, and unpredictability in our working situations. Recently, I had the pleasure of testifying in Olympia before the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee. There, I spoke on how these issues specifically impact my fellow tutors and I, urging them to pass the legislation that would grant us collective bargaining rights. During bargaining, I am excited for us to win a new and better workplace for everybody at Western. I have a vision where equal work on campus gets equal pay regardless of department or student type. This includes tuition waivers for undergraduates. I look forward to us bargaining a minimum number of hours we can depend on for a quarter, and a guarantee that we see our schedules at a set time before starting work. I also envision a contract that prevents any Western student, worker or otherwise, from experiencing housing insecurity. This is what I will fight for, and I want to fight for it with you.

Kenneth McKinney, Physics & Astronomy

Kenneth McKinney, Physics & Astronomy

Faculty Assistant

I’m running for BC so that undergrad TAs are represented and have their voices heard. The Physics department is in a unique position in that there is no graduate program so all of the labs are taught by undergraduate students. We need better pay and more training.

April Reed, Environmental Sciences

April Reed, Environmental Sciences

Graduate Research Assistant

Part of my graduate thesis work has been to meet with government agencies representatives, peer scientists, community members, and other stakeholders to inform and discuss how to assess utility and value of compensatory restoration options in the U.S. Department of Interior’s Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration process. I feel comfortable researching, presenting, and negotiating new and innovative ideas that will support positive and collaborative working relationships and initiate impactful and rewarding changes for all parties involved.

Elias Bennett, Computer Science

Elias Bennett, Computer Science

Tutors

I love the tutoring center! It helped through my pre-major, it gave me a space to understand and help others with complex problems, and it welcomed me with open arms when I wanted to become a part of it. The moment I got accepted into the Computer Science major, I knew for certain that I wanted to be a CS tutor so that’s just what I did. While being part of the tutoring center gave me a great opportunity to engage with students and help them through their classes, It also gave me a peek into some of the gaping cracks in the system. To my dismay, I quickly found out, that not only do many hardworking CS tutors not even get paid, the ones who do are only allowed minimum wage for 3 hours a week! I happen to be one of the lucky tutors who get paid, and I don’t make close to the amount a Computer Science tutor should be compensated for! I can’t even imagine how the other tutors are feeling! As upsetting as this was to me, I knew there was nothing I could do about it, and I trusted that my supervisor, Katie LaRue, was doing everything in her power to make the tutoring center the best it could be. And I was right! As I quickly discovered only a quarter after I was accepted as a tutor, Katie asked me if I would be interested in taking her spot as Lead Tutor. At first, I was hesitant. Becoming the Lead Tutor would mean I would make meetings with other tutors, create everyone’s schedule, manage the Tutor discord, and most dauntingly, choose who does or doesn’t get paid for the hard work they are all performing. I wouldn’t be able to say “Oh well, Katie’s doing the best she can,” I would have to now do my best that I can. I would have to become the change that the Tutor Center needs! I would have to fill in those gaps and mend the divide between the Tutor Center and the department. So after careful consideration, I accepted. I am now the Lead Tutor of the Computer Science Tutor Center at Western Washington University, and I’m ready to make some changes. I first became the LT winter quarter of last year, and for a few quarters, I’ve just been getting a feel for how things work, trying my best to help the other tutors the best I can, and trying to learn from my many mistakes. But anytime I thought about making big changes to the working conditions of my workers, I was always faced with our tiny, tiny little budget. That is until I learned about the WAWU Student Union. At first, much like when taking up the mantle of LT from Katie, I was cautious with my decision. But after several meetings with several wonderful Union members (namely Karna, Theo, Lexy, and a few more), I decided that if I wanted our budget and hours to grow, a union seemed like a great option to make that happen! But how do I do that? Well for starters, WWU hardly ever acknowledges the CS Tutor Center to begin with, so if I want to make any changes, I’m going to need to be a pretty big part of this. So that’s why I want to join the committee. I want to fulfill my responsibility as Lead Tutor and give my workers the compensation they deserve for the amazing work they put into helping students!