Washington Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Dr. Carl Bruner, of Mount Vernon, to the Skagit Valley College Board of Trustees. Bruner joins Trustees Mariko Doerner, Ozell Jackson III, Flora Perez-Lucatero, and Megan Scott O’Bryan.

His appointment is effective February 2024 and runs through September 2028. He replaces Kathryn Bennett who recently completed 10 years of service as a board member.

“Over my years as a K-12 educator and community member in Skagit County, I’ve had the privilege of seeing first-hand the positive difference Skagit Valley College has made in the lives of scores of young people,” said Bruner. “Whether interested in pursuing a technical certification, transfer degree, or finishing their high school diploma, students have been able to access higher education through SVC’s wide range of quality programs and move on to fulfilling careers.”

Bruner’s career in education spans 37 years. He currently is employed part-time by the Association of Educational Service Districts as a high school accreditation coach, and as an instructor for Western Washington University’s Woodring College of Education. Prior to this, he served as superintendent of the Mount Vernon School District for 16 years, and as a former assistant superintendent of Sedro-Woolley School District.

Outside of work, Bruner is actively engaged in various civic organizations. He currently serves as a member of the Skagit Rotary Club and holds the position of board chair at the Brigid Collins Family Support Center. He also serves on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Skagit County.

Bruner’s past professional involvement includes serving on the boards of several organizations, including the Washington Association of School Administrators, the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool (Executive Board), the Washington Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, and the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce.

Bruner holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy and a master of education in education psychology, both from the University of Washington, and he earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Texas.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Bruner to the SVC Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Christopher Villa, SVC president. “He has been an advocate, ambassador, and friend of the college and I am looking forward to collaborating with him in his new role as college trustee.”

The Skagit Valley College Board of Trustees consists of five members, all of whom are residents of Skagit, Island, or San Juan counties and are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Washington State Senate.

Bruner expressed his enthusiasm about his appointment, stating, “I am excited to have the opportunity to serve and support SVC’s mission and vision as a member of their high performing Board of Trustees.”

For more information, visit skagit.edu/about/president-board-of-trustees/.