Shoubee Liaw resigns as SCC college trustee

Shoubee Liaw at SCC
Photo by Jim Hils

By Jim Hills, SCC

Shoubee Liaw has resigned her position on the Board of Trustees for Shoreline Community College.

Liaw, who is also legislative assistant to Rep.Cindy Ryu, D-32nd Dist., cited the pressing needs of her position in Olympia in a letter read by Board Chair Tom Lux at the board’s regular meeting on Jan. 21, 2015.

“It is with great regret that I find that I cannot fulfill my duties as a trustee while the current Legislature is in session,” Liaw wrote. “As I will not be able to attend any Board meetings and other related College functions till the end of April, my resignation is immediate … 

“It has been a great honor for me to have served on the Board of Trustees … I would like to thank Dr. Cheryl Roberts for taking on the leadership mantel of Shoreline Community College. I see the potential for an even greater college under her guidance.”

Lux said, “I’m sorry about Shoubee’s resignation. She was a very good asset to the board and the college.”

College President Cheryl Roberts said the resignation caught her by surprise. “Shoubee’s action is a noble thing because we do need a fully functioning board, but I’m in shock,” Roberts said.

Liaw’s resignation leaves Shoreline with two empty seats on the five-member board. The remaining trustees include Phil Barrett, Catherine D’Ambrosio and Lux. Former trustee Tayloe Washburn resigned his seat July, 7, 2014. In Washington, community college trustees are unpaid positons appointed by the governor and can serve two consecutive five-year terms.

Liaw has a long history with the college. She was first appointed as a trustee in the late ‘90s, serving for six years before leaving the board in 2002. She was again appointed in December, 2005 and reappointed in October, 2010. Liaw’s term was due to expire in September, 2015.

Upon her reappointment in 2010, Liaw said, “This is one of the greatest colleges in Washington State, poised to enter a new phase in its history, and I’m looking forward to playing a role in guiding this effort.”

Liaw has worked for the Shoreline Public Schools, the Seattle Public Schools and the state Department of Social and Health Services. In addition to service with numerous local organizations, she served as an officer for the state Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges and on that group’s   Education and Awards committees and the Efficiency Bill Steering Committee. Liaw holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Washington.