MIHS grad appointed to Bellevue College Board of Trustees

Published 8:30 am Monday, April 6, 2026

Dr. Michelle Flowers-Taylor, a 1988 Mercer Island High School (MIHS) graduate and 2016 Pathfinder Award recipient, began her service as a member of the Bellevue College Board of Trustees last month.

Gov. Bob Ferguson appointed the businesswoman, award-winning social justice media documentarian and 1992 Bellevue College alumna to the board and her term will continue through September 2028.

“My decision to serve is rooted in gratitude and a commitment to paying forward the transformative experience I had as a Bellevue College alumna — a place where I found my confidence and professional identity,” said Flowers-Taylor, who holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from Loyola Marymount University, a bachelor of arts degree in communications and anthropology from the University of Washington, and an associate transfer degree from Bellevue College.

Flowers-Taylor said that three core experiences will shape her multi-faceted perspective while serving on the board: as an alumna who understands the student journey firsthand; as a business executive with leadership roles in STEM workforce development, higher education and strategic partnerships; and as a social justice media documentarian, grounding her work in equity and inclusion.

“With a history of active board service, I aim to serve as a bridge — strengthening partnerships, amplifying diverse voices, and ensuring every student has access to the same opportunities that empowered me,” said Flowers-Taylor, who is the chief media and communications officer at LegacyFirst, a Seattle-based vertically integrated real estate platform with deep roots in urban real estate development and commercial real estate services, according to its website.

An immense part of her academic and life journey began at MIHS, where Flowers-Taylor said she was fortunate to learn from administrators, teachers and a wonderful librarian.

“Many of whom saw more in me than I sometimes saw in myself. They challenged me academically, but more importantly, they cultivated in me a belief that my voice mattered and that I had something unique to contribute,” she said.

Growing up in the tight-knit Mercer Island community shaped her into who she is today, and she learned “what it means to be truly seen — and with that visibility came both comfort and accountability.” On the relationship front, she learned about integrity, resilience and the power of showing up for others.

She remains deeply connected to the Island community and believes in giving back to the “soil that nourished my roots.”

One way that she makes a local impact is by serving as board chair of the Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund. The organization, which honors the legacy of President Barack Obama’s mother and 1960 MIHS graduate, provides scholarships to MIHS students who demonstrate resilience, curiosity and a commitment to making a difference. Dunham highly valued educational excellence, leadership and community service, according to previous Reporter article.

“Being involved with the fund is profoundly important to me because it allows me to directly invest in the next generation of Mercer Island students — offering them the same kind of support, encouragement, and belief that my teachers and community once gave me,” she said.

Garnering recognition as a MIHS Pathfinder Award honoree was profoundly humbling for Flowers-Taylor and it fueled her to proceed further in her career. According to the Mercer Island School District website, the award honors students whose achievements, strength of character and citizenship inspire and challenge today’s youth.

“I was chosen, I believe, because my journey from a young MIHS graduate who felt uncertain about her path to a leader working at the intersection of education, social justice and media reflected the very spirit of resilience and service the award celebrates,” she said.

When asked what’s the best piece of advice she’s ever been given, Flowers-Taylor said she carries her husband’s words with her every day: “‘You already have the no, so go for the yes.’ That simple yet powerful truth has pushed me to make bolder choices, to step into rooms I might have otherwise hesitated to enter, and to constantly extend my own capacity beyond what I thought possible.”

Flowers-Taylor said that she would impart that same advice on others while paving their career path or making an impact in the world.

“Aim higher than you think you’re qualified for. Raise your hand before you feel ready. Take the risk that scares you,” she said. “And along the way, help others do the same.”