Enrique Cerna

Enrique Cerna was appointed to the Washington State University Board of Regents in March 2020. A veteran journalist, he worked in Seattle media for 43 years. Regent Cerna spent 23 years at Cascade Public Media (CPM), retiring in February 2018 as senior correspondent. Prior to joining CPM in 1995, he worked as a reporter, producer, and host for KOMO Radio and Television and KING Television.

At CPM, Regent Cerna produced and hosted award-winning current affairs programs and documentaries. He contributed stories to national PBS programs, provided election analysis for the PBS NewsHour, and moderated U.S. Senate, Congressional, Gubernatorial, and Mayoral debates. His work also addressed critical topics such as social and criminal justice, civil rights, the environment, and immigration. Additionally, he produced documentaries highlighting the history and contributions of Latinos in Washington State.

Regent Cerna’s broadcast journalism has earned recognition from a wide range of organizations. He is a ten-time recipient of the Northwest Regional Emmy Award and was named Best TV Host by Seattle Weekly in 2003. Seattle Magazine included him among its most influential people of the year in 2006. His reporting on communities of color has been honored with awards including the 2008 Community Service Award from the Zeta Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, the 2011 President’s Award from the Minority Executive Directors Coalition, and the 2012 Outstanding Community Service Award from the Seattle Chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association. In 2013, he was inducted into the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northwest Chapter for his lasting industry contributions. In 2016, he was recognized by the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce Northwest Chapter Executive Board for his reporting on Washington State’s Latino community, and by AFP Advancement NW for his longtime service as emcee of National Philanthropy Day.

Active in the community, Regent Cerna has served on the boards of the Washington State Historical Society, the Yakima Valley Museum, and King County Television’s Citizens Advisory Committee. His past board involvement includes United Way of King County, the World Affairs Council of Seattle, Seattle CityClub, and the Chief Seattle Council’s ScoutReach program. He also co-chaired the successful Plaza Roberto Maestas Capital Campaign, which raised over $40 million to develop low-income housing on Seattle’s Beacon Hill. In 2022, he was inducted into the Edward R. Murrow School of Communication Hall of Achievement.

A native of Wapato in central Washington, Regent Cerna is a 1975 graduate of Washington State University. He currently resides in Seattle.

Office: Vice Chair
Term Expires: September 30, 2031