Naria with Alumni Scholar, Osman Salahuddin at OpportunityTalks 2017.

A Message from the WSOS Board Chair

It is with decidedly mixed feelings and deep gratitude that the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) Board of Directors announces the departure of Naria Santa Lucia as Executive Director at the end of June.

Under Naria’s leadership, WSOS has grown exponentially. WSOS is currently on track to award 16,000 of our state’s most underserved and underrepresented students with critical baccalaureate scholarships, support services and mentorships in high-demand STEM and health care careers. Of our nearly 3,500 graduates to date, nearly all (94%) are employed or pursuing graduate school in high-demand STEM and health care careers.

Recently, Naria stewarded the expansion of WSOS to serve new populations of students including career and technical college and post-baccalaureate students. This expansion will undoubtedly be another game-changer for our state – training and launching an additional 5,000 Washington students into Washington jobs.

We want to thank Naria for her five years of dedicated service and significant accomplishments. Her successful tenure includes an expansion of the services and supports WSOS provides to Scholars on their pathway to high-demand careers, building a skilled and strategic team capable of executing the bold vision of this scholarship program, and serving as a key voice in the STEM education community.

Naria’s passion, energy and impact will be greatly missed, but we know she will remain a powerful champion for Washington students. Naria leaves WSOS in a strong position, and we look forward to the next chapter of the organization.

WSOS Board member Jane Park is leading a team to oversee the search for a new leader which will not only secure the future of the organization but also build upon the many opportunities ahead. Naria will remain as WSOS’ executive director through June to ensure a seamless transition of projects, to support staff and to assist us as we identify a new leader. The job announcement for the new Executive Director will be posted in early May, and we will keep the community updated on the search and transition process.

Your input is important to us. We look forward to hearing your thoughts as we enter this exciting new phase. Please contact info@waopportunityscholarship.org with your input or if you any questions.

Thank you in advance for your support.

On behalf of WSOS and the WSOS Board,

Brad Smith
Board Chair
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship