Wenatchee Valley College has named Hanan Zawideh as the new interim vice president of Organizational Culture, Retention, and Engagement. Zawideh’s first day was September 8.
Zawideh has over 15 years of experience in human resources, organizational culture, and leadership across public higher education, nonprofit, corporate, and K-12 settings. She most recently served as vice president of Human Resources and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Peninsula College, where she was also a member of the president’s cabinet. Zawideh oversaw human resources and payroll, labor and employee relations, collective bargaining, classification and compensation, workplace investigations, compliance, organizational culture, and workforce strategy for a multi-campus institution. She also served as the Title IX coordinator and equal employment opportunity (EEO) officer.
Prior to her work at Peninsula College, Zawideh served as the chief equity and human resources officer at Children’s Institute in Portland, Ore., where she built the HR function and developed a multi-year pay equity and compensation plan. Her earlier work experience includes building and leading HR and payroll operations for a rapidly growing multi-state organization, as well as more than a decade in K-12 education supporting students with college and career pathways.
“My career has taken me through education, the corporate sector, nonprofit leadership, and public higher education,” Zawideh said. “While the settings have been different, the common thread throughout my work has always been people, relationships, service, and creating opportunities for individuals and organizations to thrive.”
“I am energized to join Wenatchee Valley College because the college’s mission, values, and strategic priorities closely align with my own,” Zawideh added. The college’s values—community, opportunity, inclusion, learning, and student-centeredness—resonate with her, she said.
She is particularly excited about WVC’s strategic priority to create a culture of excellence. “The emphasis on open communication, employee development, opportunities for contribution at all levels, and support for employee wellness aligns with my approach to organizational culture and leadership,” Zawideh said. “Strong cultures are built through relationships, trust, listening, transparency, and shared responsibility. My role is to help create conditions where employees feel valued, supported, connected, and empowered to contribute their talents and ideas.
Ultimately, our work with employees connects directly to our students. When we create an environment where faculty and staff can thrive and do their best work, we strengthen our ability to serve students, our communities, and the region.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Hanan Zawideh to WVC,” President Faimous Harrison said. “Hanan’s experience in higher education, human resources, and culture, equity, and inclusion will provide the leadership we need to support our faculty and staff, and the expertise to continue finding equitable solutions that will strengthen the college’s culture.”
About Wenatchee Valley College
Founded in 1939, Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington and delivers relevant, innovative, and experiential educational opportunities for thriving and healthy communities. Learn more at www.wvc.edu.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process.
Learn more at www.wvc.edu/publicdisclosure.
Published Sept. 15, 2026
Media Contacts:
Lindsey Morrow, Director, Presidential Initiatives, 509-682-6400, lmorrow2@wvc.edu
Marcine Miller, Executive Director, Public Information Office, 509-682-6582, mmiller2@wvc.edu