Justene Merriman

any pronouns are ok
Coordinator for Fundraising Marketing

About

What am I doing here

In a major restructure in 2025, I moved from doing multimedia design for marketing and communications in the CFPA, to coordinating fundraising marketing in the University Advancement team. Here I collaborate with inspiring administrators and student leaders across the university. I raise awareness of the impact of donations, and invite the community to support Western through gifts to The Foundation for WWU & Alumni. Gifts fund scholarships, research, class supplies, student activities, and programs which enhance student success and address their basic needs. I also assist where I can in marketing for those things that are funded by donations. As Coordinator for Fundraising Marketing, my work includes utilizing my multimedia design and communications skills along with planning, strategy, and project management. I'm here to help the Western community thrive. The CFPA is a big part of that.

WWU Recognitions

Backstory

I'm a Bellingham native, from a blended family with wildly different backgrounds and perspectives from all over the continent and islands of North America. I simultaneously grew up on a floral farm in the county, and in a Graphic Design studio near downtown. On the farm I tended plants and animals (wild and domestic), had adventures, made forts, drew on the walls, cleaned the walls, and kept drawing on the walls anyway. In the studio I drew on the walls, and drew on the computers (digitally). I also assisted in design and marketing projects, and helped in other parts of the business. 

For about 12 years I represented the College of Fine and Performing Arts as the Multimedia Designer for the college. In that role, I worked with the Manager of Marketing and Special Events to output communications materials across multiple media channels. I took the CFPA and Western Gallery websites through multiple overhauls, made so very many materials advertising events (over 300 events per year!) such as posters and digital slides for TV screens, ads, mailers, postcards, flyers and playbills. I also made brochures, booklets, edited videos, did photography, wrote feature articles, and made major improvements to our workflows and processes.

Before working at Western, I spent 15 years in commercial printing at what is still the largest printing facility in Bellingham. There I fixed customer files for better print quality, worked with enormous, expensive machines to capture files onto plates for the presses and to finish products in Bindery, and learned insider tips straight from the press operators. I automated workflows and wrote standard operating procedures, trained new and experienced coworkers, created educational and marketing materials for customers, managed the company website, and eventually managed Prepress for a while (Western whisked me away). I also visited K-12 schools throughout Whatcom County to teach students, teachers, and parent helpers about printing and how to design their yearbooks for the best outcome. During all this I had a freelance business on the side doing graphic design, fine arts, writing, and event coordination. I dabbled in professional photography, and some of my poetry got published.

What else am I doing

I am constantly in the midst of multiple creative and fix-it projects of all genres, whether they strike a need or fancy. Examples are not limited to: writing, painting, jewelry making, nature photography, build/repair/improvement of furniture, or e-bikes, or my car (which I've been driving since 2004). I volunteer at Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility committee and the Governance & Personnel committee. You might see me walking through Western's campus, wandering through the woods, or making friends with animals (pets or wildlife).

Portrait description

Justene's chin and cheek rest thoughtfully on one hand, eyes pointed diagonally up to the side, with a slight smile. The position of a rainbow tapestry in the background makes it look almost as if it's being manifested out of Justene's head.