Gregory King holds a doctorate of education degree from the University of Washington in
educational leadership and policy studies. He also received a master of education degree
(educational administration) from Prairie View A&M University and a bachelor of arts degree
from Rice University (majors in English and human performance/health sciences).
Since February 1, 2019, Dr. King has served as the Washington MESA Executive Director. He
oversees 6 K – 12 Centers and 12 MESA Community College Programs. Prior to that, he spent
over 19 years in numerous leadership roles in the K-12 sector. Washington MESA, administered
through the UW Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity, is a statewide program that builds
pathways to college and careers for underrepresented minority and female students in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics. Washington MESA serves students in K-12 school
districts and two-year colleges.
Prior to joining the WA MESA team, he served as a Seattle MESA Director and Advisory Board
member. King has devoted his career to increasing educational opportunities for underserved and low-income youth. He began as a middle and high school teacher before serving as an assistant principal and an elementary and high school turnaround principal. Since then, he has worked as a district administrator, career and technical education director, chief academic officer and executive director for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math). In addition to his work in K-12, King was an adjunct instructor at a large community college and an adjunct faculty member at the Washington State University Vancouver campus. His course focused on teaching aspiring education leaders’ curriculum and instruction theories and social justice pedagogy.
Dr. King was selected for the America Achieves Fellowship for Teachers and Principals as a
fellow for the 2014-16 school years. He has been recognized on Nickelodeon for his positive
impact on a former student who was a recipient of a 2009 TeenNick Halo Award. Dr. King has
been featured locally on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) regarding the importance of preschool education; and he received an A&E Biography Community Hero Award for his work as
an inner-city principal and active community member.