Steve Rasmussen’s proven record of going above and beyond to propel education for the state of Washington, as well as his lifetime advocacy for students, parents, and educators is why he has been named the WSU College of Education’s 2019 Advocate for Education.
Rasmussen received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Sciences and Agriculture Education and his master’s in Vocational Technical Education from WSU. His time in Pullman didn’t stop there as he completed his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Supervision at WSU.
Rasmussen was the superintendent for the Deer Park, Franklin Pierce, and Issaquah School districts. Throughout his 40-year career in the educational profession, he found himself involved in many professional organizations at local, state, and national levels where he took on numerous leadership roles.
Rasmussen is currently on the WSU Foundation Board of Trustees and has been since 2005. He also has been on the WSU Foundation Scholarship Committee since 2011. He has been a member of the Horace Mann League for 22 years, serving as the 2009 National President and filling various other roles in committees and the executive board over the years.
He has been a member of the American Association of School Administrators and the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) for 40 years. During that time, he took on several roles within both organizations. He served as the WASA State President, Superintendent Component Chair, and Moderator for the National Conference on Education, to name a few.
He currently is an active member of the College of Education’s advisory board, working closely with college dean Mike Trevisan
“Dr. Rasmussen has dedicated an incredible amount of time to organizations focused on education,” Trevisan said. “We value the time and expertise he’s shared with our college, as well as with me personally in my role as dean.”
Rasmussen is a devoted community member. As a member of the Issaquah, Parkland/Spanaway, and Deer Park Rotary clubs he has held several leadership positions. He was also part of many committees as an active member of the Issaquah, Tacoma-Pierce County, and South Pierce County chambers of commerce.
Rasmussen has worked as a faculty member at Seattle Pacific University, Central Washington University, and Wenatchee Valley College. He also took on the role as a guest lecturer at Pacific Lutheran University, and WSU.
Rasmussen credits the College of Education for providing him the opportunity to become a teacher, administrator, and superintendent in public schools. He said he supports the College of Education because he believes it’s a way for him to give to the future generations of teachers and educators in the state of Washington.
