PULLMAN, Wash. – Kevin J. Massimino, who just completed his term as student body vice president, is the new student member of the Washington State Board of Regents.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced the appointment today. Massimino’s term begins July 1; he succeeds Lindsey Schaffer, who has served on the Board of Regents for the past year.
“Kevin Massimino already has demonstrated his leadership potential,” Gov. Inslee said, “He knows the state, the university and its students, and will be a wonderful addition to the governing board of the state’s land-grant institution.”
WSU President Elson S. Floyd agreed.
“Kevin has made a positive difference for the students of Washington State University in every leadership position he has held here,” Floyd said. “I look forward to working with him in this new capacity. He will be a strong, clear voice for the students he represents.”
The president also praised and thanked outgoing Regent Schaffer for her service. “Regent Schaffer continued the long tradition of excellence in student representation on the board,” he said.
Massimino said he is “thrilled at being selected to be a student voice on the Board of Regents” and called the appointment “a natural progression” of his work in representing students at WSU.
“I want to give back to the university that has given me so much,” he said. “I want to continue to represent the student voice at the highest level possible.”
The new student regent said he will take his lead on what issues to raise from the students he represents.
“I want to make sure I connect with students at all of the WSU campuses and see what their main issues are,” he said. “Whether it is a major issue like keeping tuition down that continues from year to year or a smaller, more individual issue, I want students to know that they have an avenue to the regents and I am that avenue.”
Massimino graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in sport management with a minor in business administration. He currently is working on his master’s degree in sport management from WSU.
A native of Kent, Wash., Massimino was elected ASWSU vice president with ASWSU President Tyler Hennessey in May 2013. During his tenure he helped to create the inaugural Pac-12 Leadership Summit featuring 10 Pac-12 schools and more than 50 student leaders. He also managed the #DearWSU social media campaign for campus improvements, which garnered approximately 75,000 impressions.
Prior to being elected as vice president, Massimino served as ASWSU Director of Student Life, where he implemented the “Cougs Give Back” holiday gift drive that resulted in 250 gifts for Pullman area children.
Contact:
Kathy Barnard, University Communications, 509-335-8055, kbarnard@wsu.edu