WSLC welcomes Shondea Chapman to staff team

Chapman, a 20-year Education Support Professional and member of the Washington Education Association, is the Council’s newest Workforce Development Director

OLYMPIA, WA (December 16, 2025) — The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is proud to announce that Shondea Chapman is joining the WSLC’s Workforce Development Department, bringing decades of experience to the Council’s team supporting Washington state’s current and future workforce.

Chapman comes to the WSLC from the community and technical colleges system, where she worked as a Education Support Professional, most recently as a Worker Retraining Coordinator at Bates Technical College in Tacoma, WA. She has held multiple roles in the Workforce Education Service department at Bates throughout her 17 years at the college, giving her insight into what working people need to succeed in their career goals.

“I believe in the value of technical education,” said Chapman. “Both of my adult daughters are alumni of our community and technical college system. I am particularly proud of the grant funding, retention support and wrap around services that students from all ages and background can benefit from while accessing new skills and learning within the SBCTC system.”

Shondea Chapman

As well as being a highly experienced education support professional, Chapman is a dedicated unionist. She’s been actively engaged with her union–the Washington Education Association–over the course of her career, serving as a local building representative, former local president, and bargaining team member.

“Elevating respect and empowering underrepresented voices fuels my commitment to union work for working folks,” says Chapman.

Chapman joins Workforce Development Directors Emmanuel Flores and Chelsea Mason-Placek as well as Unemployment Insurance Navigator Michael Pichler in the Council’s Workforce Development Department.

The WSLC’s Workforce Development Department advocates for working people from initial entry to the workforce, to career transition, and when facing job loss. The four-person team helps empower workers with portable skills and a voice in career development, provides continuity for those navigating the workforce system, and offers resources for workers facing job loss.

“I am thrilled to welcome Shondea to the team,” said April Sims, WSLC President. “She brings nearly two decades of workforce development experience in our community and technical colleges to her new role here at the WSLC, a broad range of skills and expertise that I am excited to see her put to work in service of our affiliates. A passionate advocate, she is deeply committed to expanding economic opportunity for working people. Welcome Shondea!”