PULLMAN John Fraire, WSU’s vice president for enrollment management, has been appointed by the governor as a commissioner on the Washington State Arts Commission (WSAC).Fraire, who joined WSU in September 2007, was previously the associate vice president for Enrollment Management at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO.
For the past nine years, he has also worked as a trainer for the Gates Millennium Scholarship Program, where he helps supervise the evaluation of applications from Latino students to the scholarship program.
Fraire is also a published playwright and the founder and former executive director of the New Latino Visions Theatre Company in Kalamazoo, Mich. His first play, “Who Will Dance with Pancho Villa,” which was co-authored with his brother Gabriel Fraire, was produced by the Castillo Theatre in New York city in 1994. Since then, he and his brother have written and produced several plays, screenplays and other theatrical performances. Fraire also has used theatre and performance as recruitment and retention tools for Latino high school students and college undergraduates.
“Although most of my professional life has been centered on education, my passion for the arts, in particular for the theatre arts, has always been an important part of my life. I believe that theatre has both educational and cultural merit, and I am very committed to bringing theatre to underserved communities, such as the Latino community. I believe my background as a Latino playwright and producer, and my history in education will be a welcomed addition to the Commission. I am grateful to the Governor for this appointment.” Fraire said.
Fraire received a bachelor’s degree in government and a master’s in education from Harvard University, a master’s in history from Western Michigan University and currently is pursuing his doctorate at the Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WSAC advances and supports arts and culture in Washington State through leadership, knowledge, funding and resources that build participation in and access to the arts.
Established in 1961, WSAC members advise the governor, the various departments of the state and the state legislature, and make recommendations for the cultural development of the state of Washington.
The commission has 19 members appointed by the Governor and four members of the Legislature. Appointed members serve three-year terms.
