Board of Trustees
The board is composed of five trustees who are appointed by the governor of Washington and confirmed by the Senate. The trustees represent the public interest and ensure the basic fiscal integrity of the college.
Current Board Members
Dr. Paula Akerlund (Chair)
Appointed July, 2018. Dr. Akerlund received a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Mount Holyoke College, a Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Oregon, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seattle University. She worked as a Speech and Language Pathologist in school districts in Eugene, Oregon and both Kent and Aberdeen, Washington. She served as an Education Specialist with the Aberdeen School District before becoming Director of Special Services with the Olympia School District. She then served as Superintendent of the Willapa Valley School District for seven years and as Superintendent of the Ocosta School District for six years. When she assumed the position in Ocosta, the District had failed two bond measures intended to fund the replacement of a deteriorating elementary school. Recognizing that the possibility of an earthquake and tsunami posed a significant risk to her coastal community, Dr. Akerlund led a successful campaign to approve a bond measure to construct a new elementary school. That project included construction of the first tsunami vertical evacuation structure in North America. Dr. Akerlund has been recognized internationally, in newspapers, magazines, and television, for her vision and leadership and commitment to ensuring the safety of her school community. Dr. Akerlund retired in 2017 after forty years in public education.
Ms. Astrid Aveledo (Vice Chair)
Appointed November 2018. Executive Director for the Dispute Resolution Center of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties. For her leadership in serving tribal and Spanish speaking community members, she received the Washington Mediation Association's 2018 Champion Award. She also currently serves as the co-president for Resolution Washington, the Association for Dispute Resolution Centers in Washington State. Growing up in Taholah and Venezuela, the new trustee completed her bachelor degree in political and administrative sciences from the Universidad Central de Venezuela and her master degree in public administration from the University of Washington. Prior to working at the Dispute Resolution Center, she worked as an organizational consultant and Guardian Ad Litem.
Dr. Harry Carthum
Dr. Carthum, an Educational Consultant and co-owner of Westport Property Dev, retired as a public-school administrator. His extensive academic background includes a bachelor's in English, a master's in Special Education, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. He has a strong commitment to community service, evident in his involvement with various educational and community organizations.
Ms. Aliza Munoz Esty
Appointed to the Grays Harbor College Board of Trustees in February 2022 by Governor Jay Inslee. Her professional experience spans various roles including management of the Islander in Westport, and a background in accounting and business positions with the Ocosta School District, Grays Harbor County Public Health, and Grays Harbor Water District 1. Prior to immigrating from Vancouver, Canada, she worked as a business administrator in the events production industry. Aliza is also an alumna of Grays Harbor College and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Western Governors University. Beyond her trustee role, she actively contributes to the community as an Officer for the Westport-Grayland Chamber of Commerce, a member of Greater Grays Harbor Inc., and a founder/professional bookkeeper supporting local organizations and businesses.
Mr. James R. Sayce
Jim has over 30 years’ experience working in local, city, regional, state, and at national level in land use, infrastructure development, regional planning and economic development. Raised as a cranberry farmer and a graduate of Evergreen State College (B.Sc..), and University of California, Irvine (Ms.Bio.Sci), and Ag Forestry Education Foundation, Jim brings a healthy dose of science training, analytic thought and farm sense reality to any project. Jim currently sits on the Department of Natural Resource Solution Table in resolving endangered species/forest production issues and has served over 10 years on the Pacific County Planning Commission.
2025 Board Meeting Schedule
| Date | Agenda | Minutes |
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January 14 |
Board Packet | Minutes |
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February 11 |
Board Packet | Minutes |
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March 11 |
Board Packet | Minutes |
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April 8 |
Board Packet | |
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May 13 |
Board Packet | |
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June 10 |
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July 8 |
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July 29 Retreat |
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August 12 |
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September 9 |
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October 14 |
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November 18 |
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December 9 |
2026 Board Meeting Schedule
| Date | Agenda | Minutes |
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| January 13 12:00 pm In-Person & Zoom |
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| February 10 12:00 pm In-Person & Zoom |
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| March 10 12:00 pm In-Person & Zoom |
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| April 14 12:00 pm In-Person & Zoom |
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| May 12 12:00 pm In-Person at Columbia Education Center & Zoom |
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June 9 |
Master Plan