Washington Apple Education Foundation Appoints Dr. Faviola Barbosa as Executive Director; Laurie Knebusch Comments
WENATCHEE, WA - Education is a very important pillar of this industry, creating the building blocks of each luminary’s expanding knowledge base. The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF), which works to bring educational opportunities to young people raised in tree fruit districts, recently announced it has appointed Dr. Faviola Barbosa as its new Executive Director.
“I am so excited about the opportunity to promote access and support to students from the tree fruit industry pursuing higher education,” Barbosa stated in a recent release. “Furthermore, I look forward to working with such an amazing team and industry, continuing to strengthen the WAEF mission.”
Barbosa migrated from Mexico to the United States with her family at the age of two, the release noted. A first-generation Latinx, she grew up within the farming industry in Orondo, Washington, and earned a BA in Business Administration from Washington State University, an MS in College Student Affairs from Nova Southeastern University, and a Doctorate in Leadership in Higher Education from Capella University. Working with the Washington State Community and Technical Colleges system for over 18 years, Dr. Barbosa has always had a passion for promoting higher education to students.
“On behalf of the WAEF Board of Directors, I am thrilled to welcome Faviola Barbosa as the new Executive Director of WAEF. Her excitement and passion to work with students is easily conveyed when she shares what it means to be able to impact lives through access to educational opportunities,” shared WAEF Chairman Laurie Knebusch. “When the selection committee met Faviola and learned about her deep ties in the tree fruit industry paired with her career background working in education, we knew we had found WAEF’s next Executive Director.”
Barbosa is the fourth person to hold the Executive Director title in WAEF’s 28-year history. She takes over for Jennifer Witherbee, who served in the role for over two decades.
As Barbosa takes on the role, Witherbee will remain on staff in a support role for a few weeks to assist with the transition.
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