Office of the President & Executive Vice President
Executive Leadership Team
The Executive Leadership team is chaired by President John Carmichael and functions as the primary decision-making body of the administration within the authority delegated by the Board of Trustees.
Andrew Beattie
Executive Associate for the President and Secretary for the Board of Trustees
Jadon Berry
Executive Associate for the Executive Vice President
Farra Layne Hayes
Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications
BA, The Evergreen State College
Farra Layne Hayes was born and raised in Olympia as the fourth generation of her family to call this area home. She is a graduate of Evergreen, completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2004 as an adult learner attending evening and weekend classes while working for the state of Washington. As the first in her family to graduate from college, she learned first-hand what it takes for a student to overcome educational obstacles.
As an expert in communications, stakeholder relations, community outreach, and partnership development, Farra’s career has centered on bringing diverse voices to the table to build trust, seek common ground, and find solutions on contentious issues. She joined Evergreen in 2019 after working in the public and private sectors for over twenty years at the Department of Natural Resources and Puget Sound Energy.
As Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Farra is responsible for directing Evergreen’s marketing and communication strategies and activities. She leads a staff of marketers, designers, and communications professionals (many of whom are also Greeners) in the creation of content advancing the college’s mission and goals for student recruitment, marketing, fundraising, reputation enhancement, public relations, community outreach, and internal communications.
Holly Joseph
Dean of Students
M.Ed, University of Washington
Sandy Kaiser
Director of Governmental Relations
Now serving as the college's Director of Governmental Relations, Sandy has served in multiple roles at Evergreen, most recently as the Vice President for College Relations overseeing the college’s first-ever re-brand and leading the college back to in-person operations in fall 2021. A fourth-generation Washingtonian and proud parent of an Evergreen graduate, Sandy has served in leadership positions in state and federal government including communications director for the Washington Department of Natural Resources. She was a candidate for the Washington State House in 2022. As a career diplomat from 1986 to 2011, she directed international communications and outreach on behalf of the U.S, leaving the Foreign Service with the equivalent rank of a two-star general.
Abby Kelso
Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of The Evergreen State College Foundation
MPA, The Evergreen State College
Abby Kelso (she/her) is a graduate of Evergreen, earning her Bachelor of Arts & Science degree in 2001. After graduation, Abby worked in California as a high school physics teacher, soccer coach and college counselor. She returned to Evergreen as an admissions counselor in 2008 and completed her Master of Public Administration from Evergreen in 2011.
During Evergreen's 40th anniversary year (2011-12), she joined the Advancement team to deliver the first Return to Evergreen alumni event. Abby has continued to serve in Advancement, gradually assuming greater responsibility both within the division and across campus. She was appointed Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of The Evergreen State College Foundation in 2021. In these roles, she leads and oversees Evergreen’s efforts to raise private funds, seek grants, engage alumni, and steward support for the College’s students and mission.
David Kohler
Chief Financial Officer
BA, Washington State University
Dave joined Evergreen in 2013 as the Associate Vice President for Business Services and remained in that role until he became the Chief Financial Officer in 2021. Prior to serving at Evergreen, Dave spent 13 years as the Dean of Financial Services at South Puget Sound Community College after working for several years as an auditor for the Washington State Auditor’s Office and a couple of regional CPA firms. Dave holds a BA in accounting from Washington State University and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of Washington.
Dave is responsible for leading a team that oversees the college budget, human resources, and business services along with the Evergreen bookstore, conference services and parking operations. Dave also serves as the college internal control officer and risk manager.
David McAvity
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (interim)
Ph.D, Cambridge University
Dr. McAvity joined the Evergreen community as a Member of the Faculty in 2000, teaching mathematics and physics. Since 2012, David has served as a part of the leadership team, first as an Academic Dean for budget and international programs and then as Vice Provost. Dr. McAvity received his Bachelor of Science in mathematical physics from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, and his MASt and Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Cambridge in England.
The Provost and Vice President for Student and Academic Life is the chief academic officer of the college. Dr. McAvity, selected for this role on an interim basis in August 2020, oversees a leadership team with responsibility for Evergreen's curriculum, academic mission and student engagement.
Further information on areas reporting to the Provost can be found in the Org. Chart for the Student and Academic Life Division.
Trevor Speller
Vice-Provost (interim)
Ph.D., University at Buffalo
Trevor Speller joined The Evergreen State College in 2010, where he currently serves as Interim Vice-Provost. Trevor has also held positions as an Academic Dean and a member of the faculty in Anglophone Literature. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in English and Psychology from University of Calgary, an MA in English from York University in Toronto, Canada, and a PhD in English from the University at Buffalo.
Working closely with the Provost, Academic Deans and Directors, Area Managers, and others, the Vice-Provost oversees contracts and leaves, faculty labor relations, and budget for the Academic division. The Vice-Provost also leads the college’s curriculum team and directs arts and science support operations.
William Ward
Chief Administrative Officer
MBA, Indiana Wesleyan University
William earned his Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University and has served in multiple senior leadership roles in operations including The White House for three U.S. Presidents. William joined Evergreen in October 2018 as the Associate Vice President for Facilities Services and promoted to his current role as Chief Administrative Officer responsible for Police Services, Computing & Communications, Facilities Services, and lead for the COVID 19 team ensuring these important services meet the needs of the college.
With 30 years of operations experience William provides a demonstrated pattern of leadership streamlining executive and operational functions improving customer satisfaction, staff productivity, quality-outcomes, asset life-cycle optimization, strategic partnerships, and financial performance. Collaborates across all college divisions to meet the needs of students and stakeholders. Utilizes a process-driven approach leaning heavily on model of transparency around organizational priorities and accountability delivering outcomes to strengthen the Mission of Evergreen State College. Mentoring servant leadership style fosters staff empowerment and collaborative partnerships while improving diversity, inclusion, and equality in all college activities and functions.