Alumni and student advisory Board

2024-2025

The Alumni & Student Advisory Board (ASAB) represents the diverse perspectives and needs of the broader student body. Working collaboratively with staff and peers, the ASAB helps to advance the mission of Northwest Education Access.

  • Alexandra Fornea is a student in the Healthcare Informatics Program at Bellevue College, WA. As a soon-to-be alumna, Alexandra is enthusiastic about encouraging others to pursue higher education, believing that it opens doors to greater opportunities in life. She enjoys volunteering whenever possible and has a deep passion for dancing. Alexandra is proud to serve on the Alumni & Student Advisory Board at NWEdA for the third time, representing students and advocating for their voices and needs through an organization that is dedicated to supporting people in achieving their educational and career aspirations. She hopes to contribute to creating meaningful changes that help individuals who prioritize education and face challenges in reaching their goals, with the support of ASAB and NWEdA members.

  • Coming Soon

  • Alissa Tagoai was born on the island of Oahu and moved to Washington at the age of 13 for better opportunities. She is currently studying at Renton Technical College to pursue a degree in Surgical Technology. Alissa has been particularly drawn to advocacy work in Education and has been working hard to immerse herself in this network. She is currently working as a Youth Wisdom Council intern at the Puget Sound Educational Service District, a board member with Family Law CASA, and has been connected with NWEdA since 2019. She is very passionate about helping others, especially those who have experienced similar hardships throughout their educational journey as she did. In her spare time, Alissa loves to spend time with family, friends, and travels when she can. Alissa is very proud to serve on the ASAB for her 3rd year and hopes to use this opportunity to raise awareness to current student needs, grow stronger relationships with familiar faces, and nourish new connections. 

  • Demiana Shenouda immigrated to the United States when she was fourteen years old for a better chance as a woman to pursue her education. She’s currently pursuing a bachelor’s in Molecular Biosciences at Bellevue College and planning to work at a forensic lab after graduation. Demiana interned at Fred Hutch Cancer Center during the Summer of 2024 and worked in a clinical lab and procedure suite for bone marrow extraction. It was an amazing experience that helped her decide the best route to take after graduation. Demiana is proud and excited to have become part of ASAB at NWEdA because she can now make a change that will benefit her and other students in the long run. She now has a voice to make better changes for the current and next generations of students, and is looking forward to helping her community.

  • Israella Mayer grew up in a remote country in West Africa and immigrated to the United States with her family in 2014. She is currently attending Western Washington University while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in computer/electrical engineering. Her greatest achievement was returning to school after taking a gap year despite her social circumstances. As a second-year member of ASAB and as a new member of the aforementioned university’s debate union, she hopes to use her new-found knowledge and skills to advocate for post-secondary education for all students unsure of their path or in need of assistance. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, researching, and hiking.

  • Ivory B. is a current student completing their prerequisites in hopes of studying Neuroscience at University of Washington. They have been a student with NWEdA since 2019, where they faced various challenges navigating higher education. As a nontraditional student, Ivory has firsthand experience with the inequities in higher education and hopes to elevate the voices of underserved students facing similar challenges. Outside of ASAB, they enjoy learning new things, befriending stray cats, listening to music, and playing games with friends.

  • As a first-generation college student majoring in software engineering at Seattle Central

    College, Livan brings a unique perspective and determination to ASAB. Born in Italy and having lived in France for several years, he moved to Seattle in 2023 and currently works part-time in the hospitality industry to support his studies. With a background in customer assistance and logistics roles, Livan has developed strong communication and problem-solving skills. He is committed to helping students navigate their educational journeys and achieve their goals. In his free time, Livan enjoys hiking, learning foreign languages, and traveling whenever possible. Excited to contribute to NW Education Access’ mission, Livan is dedicated to supporting students in reaching their full potential.

  • Nathaniel Perry is currently pursuing a degree in Business at North Seattle College, with aspirations of venturing into entrepreneurial endeavors in the future. Alongside his academic work, Nathaniel has a passion for personal growth, often exploring ways to enhance both his business knowledge and physical well-being. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, reading, and cooking. As a proud member of the Alumni & Student Advisory Board at NWEdA, Nathaniel is eager to help foster a vibrant community of alumni and students. His goal is to contribute innovative ideas and support initiatives that build lasting connections. He believes that strong collaboration can create meaningful opportunities for everyone involved, and he is excited to make a positive impact during his time on the board.

  • Wendy Bracamontes Vivas attended the University of Washington Tacoma as a first generation student. Wendy graduated with her BSW in 2021 and her MSW in 2023. Wendy currently works at HealthPoint Medical as a in clinic social worker. Her population includes patients who have chronic conditions and are experiencing barriers in their health care. When Wendy is not at work she dedicates her time to helping the immigrant community. As an immigrant herself, she knows the experiences that most go through and wants to ensure that they have constant support and are able to find resources that can help them. She finds it important to give back to them because she understands the lack of resources that they often face. Wendy joined ASAB because NWEdA supported her during both her undergrad and grad time. NWEdA provided the resources and knowledge on how to transfer from Green River to UWT where she continued to be successful. Wendy stated that without the support of her Education Advocate, Angela, she wouldn’t be where she is today.