New executive director

On July 9, 2015, the Bellevue College Foundation named Rebecca Chawgo as its new executive director. Before the promotion, Chawgo had served as the BC Foundation’s director of development since September 2013.

Chawgo expressed her excitement for the position.

“I am excited to bring my more than two decades of development experience and a strong commitment to accessible, quality higher education to the executive director at Bellevue College Foundation,” said Chawgo. “This new position has expanded roles and responsibility which will enable me to have a greater impact on Bellevue College students’ success.”

As the executive director, Chawgo will work towards expanding the Foundation‘s annual funding, oversee the award of grants and scholarships, engage in the 50th anniversary of Bellevue College festivities that are taking place next school year and “enhance the college’s community engagement,” according to an article on the Bellevue College website.

Chawgo explained further, stating that, “The BC Foundation will continue its commitment to supporting students through scholarships, and faculty and staff through mini-grants, Lockwood grants and Margin of Excellence awards.” Furthermore, Chawgo hopes to “focus additional efforts to increase programmatic support, centralize fundraising efforts, maximize our 50th anniversary and create a culture of philanthropy on the Bellevue College campus.”

Dr. Gayle Colston Barge, the BC vice president of Institutional Advancement, gave her opinion on Chawgo.

“Rebecca Chawgo brings a significant array of experiences and expertise in fundraising that spans over 15 years within public and private sectors,” Dr. Barge explained, “She is eminently qualified to lead the foundation and was most recently director of development at Bellevue College.”

“She has tremendous experience and dedication,” said BC Public Relations Manager Evan Epstein, “She has spent the last year and a half getting to know the campus even better and I expect great things from her.”

Along with being BC Foundation’s new Executive Director, Chawgo is also the chairman of the Snohomish County Arts Commission. She didn’t start working at the college until after she’d worked for over a decade at the Seattle Opera. She has a wide array of experience in terms of a fundraising background including several arts organizations. These include orchestras from St. Louis in Missouri and St. Paul in Minnesota. She also served with multiple theatres in Berkeley, Minneapolis and Seattle. In addition, she spent four years serving as a volunteer trustee at the Seattle Civic Light Opera.

The Bellevue College Foundation currently serves to raise funds for the college to provide a quality education to all students. It focuses on implementing effective and innovative programs that enable the college to attract students and staff.

“There is a wonderful team here at the Foundation, look for great things to come,” said Chawgo.