Pierce College is proud to welcome Bryce McKibben to its Board of Trustees. A Bonney Lake resident and nationally recognized higher education policy expert, McKibben brings over 14 years of experience in advancing college affordability, access, and equity at the highest levels of government and advocacy.  

McKibben currently serves as the Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University, where he leads a team advocating for affordable education and working to improve student access to food, housing, childcare, and other basic needs.  

“I am thrilled to be joining the Pierce College Board of Trustees,” said McKibben. “At a time when higher education is increasingly under pressure from policymakers, open-access colleges like Pierce are the key to building and maintaining the public's support by demonstrating what affordable, high-quality, and regionally focused education looks like. With my background in federal policy, I'll focus on how we can help even more students and families with the least financial resources reach their dreams, from financial aid to basic needs. I'm ready to help the college continue its great work in these areas in any way that I can.” 

Prior to his current role, McKibben served as Senior Policy Advisor on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions under Chair Patty Murray (D-WA). While there, he led efforts to reform the Higher Education Act, expand the Pell Grant, and simplify the FAFSA process. He was also key in securing COVID-19 relief funding for students and institutions, as well as funding for colleges that serve large numbers of low-income students and students of color.  

McKibben’s experience also includes his prior role as a Policy Analyst with the Association of Community College Trustees. He holds a Master’s in Public Policy with a specialization in Education Policy from Harvard Kennedy School and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington.  

“Bryce brings a wealth of experience in higher education policy and a deep commitment to our shared values of equity and inclusion,” said Pierce College Chancellor and CEO Julie White. “His perspective and passion for student success will be invaluable as we continue our mission to create quality educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners in an evolving world.”  

McKibben is replacing Brett Willis, who served as a stellar member of the Board of Trustees for 11 years.