Alumnus-in-Residence

From April 22,-26 2019 the Munro Institute and the Karen Morse Institute for Leadership collaborated to pilot a Western Alumnus-in-Residence program.

This year we featured Jesse Moore (Political Science, 2005). Jesse worked on Barack Obama's first presidential campaign in 2008, and after volunteering for free in the early stages, was paid staff by the end, and worked in the Obama White House in various capacities for seven years. Today Jesse is a "senior messaging and social impact strategist with fifteen years of leadership experience in communications, speechwriting and bridge building at the intersection of politics, entertainment, and social justice "  He serves on the Boards of Rock the Vote and Equal Justice USA and was the 2018 WWU Young Alumnus of the Year.

On his return trip to Western, Jesse met with a number of student groups, administrators and also aspiring first generation college bound students at each of Bellingham's three high schools: Bellingham High School, Squalicum High School and Sehome High School. 

Check out Jesse's presentation to the Western community, "Courageous Conversations."

Jesse was also able to catch up with faculty mentors and friends including Karen Morse Institute Director Karen Stout and Munro Institute Director Vernon Johnson and Program Assistant Jessie Phillips.