HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2016-4669, by Representatives Buys, Lytton, Hansen, Morris, Van Werven, and Zeiger

WHEREAS, In June 2016, Cyndie Shepard is retiring from her position as the first lady of Western Washington University and as the executive director of Western's award-winning Compass 2 Campus mentoring program; and

WHEREAS, Cyndie Shepard has excelled as the first lady of Western Washington University in working with her husband, Western President Bruce Shepard, to develop friendships and partnerships on campus and in the community, state, and nation; and in creating opportunities for people from all walks of life; and

WHEREAS, Cyndie Shepard has proven to be a true champion for education in three states, particularly in raising aspirations for students from traditionally underrepresented, diverse, and first generation backgrounds to pursue higher education through mentoring programs in Washington and Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Cyndie Shepard has taught at several universities and colleges across the nation including the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Murray State University, Eastern Oregon University, and Blue Mountain Community College; and has extensive experience in K-12 education, special education, and administration; and

WHEREAS, The Western community and the people of Washington have benefited from the contributions and leadership of Cyndie Shepard, who has particularly distinguished herself for her creation, development, and leadership of Western's Compass 2 Campus program, a nationally recognized, award-winning mentoring initiative that places Western students in local school districts to encourage students to graduate from high school and pursue higher education; and

WHEREAS, The Compass 2 Campus program was transported to Central Washington University last year, in recognition of its great success at Western and in Whatcom and Skagit counties; and

WHEREAS, The Western Washington University Compass 2 Campus Mentorship Initiative is a pilot program implemented by House Bill No. 1986 which was signed by the governor on May 11, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Cyndie Shepard served as director and co-founder of the Phuture Phoenix program at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where the program continues to be successful and has been transported to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Silver Lake College; and

WHEREAS, Compass 2 Campus and the Phuture Phoenix programs have proven to increase GPA and reduce truancy among elementary, middle, and high school students; empower students to make good choices about the future; increase students' leadership and commitment to giving back to their communities; and empower more students to graduate from high school and encourage them to consider some form of higher education; and

WHEREAS, Cyndie Shepard presents on mentorship and student engagement at numerous conferences and community events, teaches at Western in the Woodring College of Education and in the dance department, is past president of Western's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, is on the Woodring Diversity Committee, and is an advisory board member for the GRADS Program in Bellingham Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Cyndie Shepard's legacy and devotion to public education will have lasting beneficial effects on the people of the state of Washington, those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those college students who served as mentors to those students in area schools, for years to come;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognize Cyndie Shepard for her service to Western Washington University and for her dedication to K-12 and higher education and to student access and success; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Cyndie Shepard and the Board of Trustees of Western Washington University.