With help of her family, Dr. Shawna Freeman Lane was sworn into Board position 2, during the March 26 board meeting. Freeman Lane was appointed to the position after Director Enrique Leon stepped down at the end of 2025. 

Dr. Shawna Freeman Lane is a dedicated higher education leader, educator, and community advocate with more than a decade of experience serving students and institutions across Western Washington. She currently serves as Vice President of Equity, Engagement, and Belonging at Pierce College, where she leads efforts to advance inclusive practices, strengthen institutional effectiveness, and create environments where all students and employees can thrive. In addition, she is a part-time Business Lecturer at the University of Washington Tacoma, where she brings real-world insight and a commitment to student-centered learning into the classroom.

Dr. Freeman Lane holds a Doctor of Education in Educational and Organizational Learning and Leadership from Seattle University, a Master of Business Administration from Augusta State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Journalism from Augusta State University. Her academic and professional work is grounded in a deep commitment to equity, continuous improvement, and the power of education to transform lives.

Over the past 13 years, Dr. Freeman Lane has served as a tenured business professor and higher education leader, focusing on innovative teaching, assessment, program review, and professional development. She has been instrumental in advancing equity-centered practices and systems-level improvements that support meaningful gains in student learning and outcomes.

Her professional and community involvement includes service on the Diversity Equity Officers Commission for the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, as well as engagement with the Association of Washington Business, The Black Collective, and the Seattle University Alumni Association.

A longtime resident of Tacoma and Fircrest, Dr. Freeman Lane is also a proud parent of three Tacoma Public Schools students. She brings both a professional and personal commitment to student success, guided by a belief that strong governance requires accountability, advocacy, and a clear focus on creating conditions where every student can achieve. She is committed to serving with integrity, collaboration, and transparency while ensuring that students, families, and the community remain at the center of every decision.