WWU student Bo Watkins nominated for Governor’s Student Civic Leadership Award

WWU student Bo Watkins is one of two Western nominees of the 2025 Student Civic Leadership Award, which recognizes students from across Washington state who are dedicated to civic engagement in their communities.  

WWU nominees Watkins and Maiyuraq Nanouk Jones will be considered for the Governor’s Student Civic Leadership Award, which will be announced later this spring.   

Watkins is a human services major with a leadership studies minor through the Morse Leadership Institute. He was nominated for his continuous community service, including volunteering with Growing Veterans, Whatcom Land Trust, Bellingham Parks and Recreation and others. He also balances school with working full-time at the Whatcom County Crisis Center as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor. 

While he’s always been passionate about education, Watkins had a non-traditional journey to becoming a Western student.  

“I really wanted to go to college from high school, but I didn’t have the support,” he said.  

Originally from New Mexico, Watkins grew up in a single-parent household after his dad’s passing. He worked hard and was offered scholarships for higher education, but he wound up turning them down and joining the U.S. Navy. It was there that his passion for helping people solidified. 

“I had the chance to do humanitarian missions and that was what meant the most to me. I built maternity wards and playgrounds, rebuilt schools and drilled for water where there wasn’t water,” he said. 

After 17 years in the Navy, Watkins medically retired as a combat engineer and began bouncing from job to job. He eventually found his way back to formal education, and to a place he’d dreamed of living: the Pacific Northwest.  

“I firmly believe in treating life as if it’s a lifelong journey of learning,” Watkins said. 

Watkins got involved with the Nooksack River Restoration project while in WWU’s Leadership 101 class. Growing up in New Mexico, there wasn’t a lot of water. It is one of the most endangered collections of rivers in the United States. Bellingham’s ecosystem is very different, and Watkins values it deeply. 

“It may seem normal to others, but it’s majestic to me. And to see it mistreated or taken advantage of just doesn’t sit right,” he said. 

The leadership studies minor teaches students skills he finds underappreciated and widely applicable. 

“If you don’t learn how to lead or communicate with folks, all you will have is knowledge that you cannot pass on,” he said.  

When Watkins first came to Bellingham, he started an initiative to collect toys for Seattle Children’s Hospital. For two years he went around the Irongate neighborhood and spoke to companies, collecting two pickup trucks’ worth of toys. This work in particular was intensely personal to him because of his son, whose life was saved by a children’s hospital. 

“My son was deathly ill, and we almost lost him,” Watkins said. “Now he’s 18 years old. About to start college as I finish.” 

Watkins’ work to serve his community often stems from personal roots. He volunteered for Growing Veterans, drawing on his own time in the military, and his work as a substance use counselor was spurred in part by the family members he’s seen affected by addiction.  

One of his priorities in his work is meeting any individual seeking help where they are. 

“You want to ask open-ended questions when talking to folks. You want them to elaborate and open up more, so that you can get a better idea of where they’re at in their recovery, and where they want to go,” he said.  

One day recently, Watkins pulled over to the side of the road to help someone jump-start their car. After a conversation with the man, Watkins watched him fall and recognized the signs of an overdose. Watkins administered Narcan twice, called 911, and performed CPR until the emergency responders arrived. 

When he shared the encounter with his class, while respecting the individual’s privacy, his feelings about it were complicated. He felt awful that the person had to go through it but also felt affirmed in the use of his knowledge. 

“Any time I get to help someone, I go home and I’m happy that I helped someone go in the right direction in life — the direction that’s for them,” he said.  

Karen Stout, director of the Morse Leadership Institute, who nominated Watkins for the Student Civic Leadership Award, included the story of Watkins helping the person on the side of the road as a prime example of his service to his community.  

“He sees each of these people as important members of the community who need care like we all do. Bo's willingness to do this work makes him one of the most passionate and dedicated service and civic leaders that I've ever met,” she said. 

Watkins’ future includes seeking a master’s degree, though he first plans to support his wife and son through their education. For now, he wants to stay in the role he’s in, helping people in need connect with resources and continue to serve his community.  

Find out more about WWU's Morse Leadership Institute at https://leadershipinstitute.wwu.edu/.