Regional Executive Committee

Welcome to the home page of TYCA-PNW, the Two-Year College English Association of the Pacific Northwest! Like the other six regions of the TYCA, we are part of the College Section of the National Council of Teachers of English. We celebrate the power and pleasure of literature and language and remain committed to our original purposes:

  • to provide professional activities useful to teachers in two-year colleges of the Pacific Northwest region, including Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Visit the membership page for a membership form you can print out and mail to our treasurer to become a member of TYCA-PNW. Membership in TYCA-PNW includes a newsletter and discounted registration to our annual conference;
  • to sponsor an annual conference useful to English teachers of the first two years of college, allowing them to attend workshops, to establish networks around common concerns and to develop colleagues in the region;
  • to encourage research, study and writing by teachers in two-year colleges. Links to copies of our newsletters, reports, and national TYCA and NCTE are available at our resources page.
  • to recognize excellence in teaching. We invite nominations for the Lisa S. Ede Award for Outstanding Teaching. Two faculty, one full-time and one adjunct, may receive this award each year, which includes a cash grant of $500. Nominations are due by September 1 each year.

As the fastest-growing of the seven regions of the TYCA, we welcome your interest, invite your membership in the organization and this blog (click here to create an account) and hope our website becomes a helpful resource in your professional life.

Samm Erickson and Rise Quay
Co-Chairs, Regional Executive Committee

To see the job descriptions for each position, click on the highlighted position title.

Permanent Positions:

Co-Chairs: Jeff Klausman, 360-323-6527, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham, Washington and Samm Erickson , 503-614-7865 Portland Community College, Portland, Oregon  October 2009-October 2012

Membership Chair : Justus Ballard, Chemeketa Community College, Salem, Oregon October 2006-October 2010

National Representative : Alexis Nelson, 509-533-3588, Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane, Washington  October 2009-October 2012

Publications Co-Editors: Sandra Schroeder, 509-574-4873, and Julie Swedin, Yakima Valley Community College, Yakima, Washington October 2009-October 2012  

Secretary   Mary Dahlin, Yakima Valley Community College, Yakima, Washington  October 2009-October 2012

TreasurerKris Fink, Portland Community College, Portland, OregonOregon October 2007-October 2010


Members-at-Large

Betsy Lawrence, 509-533-8103, Spokane Community College, Spokane, Washington

October 2009- October 2012

Bradley Bleck, Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane, Washington October 2007- October 2010

One-Year Positions

2009 TYCA Conference Organizers
Samm Erickson,503-614-7865, Portland Community College, Portland, Oregon

Kris Fink, Portland Community College, Portland, Oregon

We would also like to recognize the valuable TYCA members that hosted the 2007 TYCA Conference at Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane, Washington.

Ann Ciasullo, Angela Rasmussen & Betsy Lawrence