Betty Cobbs, chair of Everett Community College’s Board of Trustees, has been named Washington state’s trustee of the year.
Cobbs will receive the Trustee Leadership Award from the Washington State Association of College Trustees (ACT). Each year, ACT recognizes an individual trustee who has made a significant contribution to promote Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges.
“Dr. Cobbs has been an exemplary leader in the Everett area for more than 40 years. Everett Community College is grateful for her advocacy for our students, faculty and staff,” said Everett Community College President Daria Willis.
Cobbs, principal of Woodside Elementary School in Everett, has worked in Everett Public Schools for more than 40 years and has led several nonprofit boards.
Appointed as an Everett Community College (EvCC) trustee in 2009, Cobbs has twice served a two-year term as board chair, a position she currently holds. She helped hire the college’s first new president in 13 years, led the strategic plan process, advanced the college’s equity and inclusion work and strongly advocated for EvCC at the state and federal level.
“She is the kind of leader people follow naturally because she sets an outstanding example in everything she does,” according to the nomination from her fellow trustees Bob Bolerjack, Mike Deller, Jerry Martin and Toraya Miller.
The board of trustees, appointed by the governor of the state of Washington for five-year terms, governs EvCC. The board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. and is currently conducting meetings virtually. For information about board meetings and the agenda, visit EverettCC.edu/Board.
