Lucila Loera

Office for Access & Opportunity

Lucila (Luci) Loera serves as the Executive Director of the Office for Access & Opportunity in the Division of Students Affairs at Washington State University (WSU). In addition, she has led efforts on food and basic needs, first-generation initiatives (such as First-Gen Study Abroad), and Strength-based education training. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep understanding of college access and success considerations, particularly focusing on low-income, first-generation, and minoritized students in higher education. After years of working in higher education, she knows that not all college students have the same access to opportunities to advance their futures. As a result, she learned to seek external funding and has procured up to $29 million in federal, state, and private funding to support students directly. Leadership experience includes serving on WSU’s Alumni Association board, National Council for Education (COE) board member, and as President of the regional TRIO Northwest Association Educational Opportunity Programs (NAEOP). She earned her master’s degree in counseling psychology at Washington State University and her bachelor’s degree in social ecology from the University of California, Irvine. As a Student Affairs professional, she feels a responsibility and desire to improve her practice, which led to her decision to pursue her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership at Colorado State University. Born and raised in Southern California, she has been in Pullman for over 25 years with her husband, son, and newly adopted dog Mojito.