Welcome to the Washington Student Association!
Our Mission
The purpose of the Washington Student Association is to serve as the official nonpartisan body of representation for all students attending Washington State's institutions of higher education. The WSA will work with students, representatives, and higher education partners from across the state to advocate for a more affordable, accessible, and equitable system of higher education. Our association will bring together legislative advocacy in Olympia and on-campus organizing to empower and engage students.
Our Work
The WSA focuses on direct legislative advocacy and grassroots organizing to bring awareness and change to the issues impacting current and future students. Student leaders from our campuses work throughout the year to get students engaged with state and local decision makers who impact the higher education landscape. We work with higher education partners and state agencies to increase investments to our universities, decrease the cost of tuition, and increase our financial aid programs. We also work on preserving the accessibility and quality of our campuses by enhancing and expanding on-campus student services that are critical to the success and retention of our students. Student services such as sexual assault prevention and support centers, mental health services, multi-cultural and diversity centers, disability resource centers, and much more are services that the WSA aims to protect. Our legislative advocacy is led by our team of legislative liaisons and their campus associations who work throughout the legislative session in Olympia to advocate on behalf of students. On top of each individual campus’ lobby day, student associations fund and support one student liaison to serve as their institutions' full-time student lobbyist to ensure a continuous student presence in Olympia. During the fall, student associations and our coalition partners activate students in the political process by registering them to vote. After the voter registration deadline, we continue this work by educating students about the impact of upcoming elections and ensure that students turn out to vote. Check out our programs tab to learn more about our coalition partners, Student of Color Summit, and more!
Executive Committee
Meet our team of seven incredible student leaders!
Samantha Cruz Mendoza
Nancy Canales Montiel
Gina Vasquez
Colin Beauvais
Alece Stancin
Bryce Regian
Bengisu Cecik
Our Staff
Zackary Turner
Riley Dolan