Student Aaron Slaughter named recipient of the 2026 Governor’s Student Civic Leadership Award
04/30/26
Aaron Slaughter, a dual-degree student at Edmonds College, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Governor’s Student Civic Leadership Award. Slaughter was recognized during an awards ceremony held on April 17 at the Museum of Flight in Seattle for his exceptional leadership and commitment to community building.
The Student Civic Leadership Awards, hosted by the Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good, recognize outstanding student leaders from member campuses in Washington and Idaho for their accomplishments in civic engagement and social entrepreneurship. From these awardees, the office of Washington Governor Bob Ferguson selects one recipient from the state's community and technical college system, private universities, and public universities to receive the Governor’s Award, which includes a $1,000 stipend.
Edmonds College President Dr. Amit B. Singh nominated Slaughter to receive the President’s Student Civic Leadership Award before being advanced for gubernatorial consideration.
“Aaron is a returning adult learner who has transformed a personal health crisis into a catalyst for community service,” said Dr. Singh. “His work as a mentor has directly resulted in increased persistence for at-risk students, proving that his greatest accomplishment is not just his own success, but the success of the students he carries with him.”
After a successful 15-year career as a chef, a major health crisis involving atrial fibrillation left Slaughter unable to continue in the culinary arts. Refusing to be set back, he pivoted to Information Technology through worker retraining, enrolling at Edmonds at age 41. He is currently managing a 20-credit course load to complete dual associate degrees in Cybersecurity & Forensics and Network Administration.
Beyond his academic success, Slaughter has become a foundational pillar of campus life. As the President of the Men of Color Scholars Club and a leader in the Takeoff for Student Success Program, he has dedicated himself to mentoring other students.
Recognizing the high attrition rates among men of color in STEM, Slaughter addressed the issue head-on by volunteering as a tutor for TRIO and CIS students. He personally follows up with students who have stopped attending classes, providing the emotional and academic support needed. Additionally, he co-led a workshop for faculty on Teaching & Learning Day, advocating for more inclusive and less "intimidating" classroom environments.
“Aaron is an amazing and caring student and advocate who shows us what commitment, dedication, and resilience truly look like when put into action,” said Dr. Yvonne Terrell-Powell, Edmonds College Vice President for Student Success, Belonging and Global Engagement.
Slaughter often utilizes his culinary background to foster community, famously using his own funds and professional skills to provide "soul food" for club meetings and an end-of-the-year barbecue.
For Slaughter, receiving the award reflects his "organic" approach to service.
"I’m kind of a shy guy," he said. "I don't post about what I do on social media. I just do it for the person in front of me. I wanted to fill the void and make sure no one else felt like they were just ‘spinning their wheels’ as I did at the start."
Slaughter is finishing his final quarter at Edmonds and intends to continue his education with a focus on AI and machine learning. His goal is to become an AI Security Analyst, specifically researching how to educate others on navigating and combating algorithmic bias in the workforce.