The Roy Flores Memorial Scholarship: Continuing a Legacy of Opportunity

The Roy Flores Memorial Scholarship: Continuing a Legacy of Opportunity

In honor of the 30th Anniversary of the Roy Flores Wellness Center, funds are being raised for the Roy Flores Memorial Scholarship.

Roy Flores spent his life opening doors for others. Born in New Orleans and raised in Seattle, Roy was deeply committed to civil rights, social justice, and education. He dedicated his career to creating opportunities for students, especially students of color and those from underrepresented communities.

In 1971, Roy became the first director of the University of Washington’s Ethnic Cultural Center. He later worked at the Washington State Human Rights Commission, fighting practices like redlining that kept minority communities from accessing housing. His greatest impact came during his 25 years at North Seattle Community College. As Vice President for Student Development Services from 1984 to 2009, Roy helped design and build the Student Wellness Center that now carries his name. It was in this building that Roy spearheaded the Seattle Storm Athletics program and personally mentored student athletes to build connections on and off the court, which enhanced their academic experience. Under Roy’s leadership, many other programs, such as Upward Bound, Childcare, and Disability Services, were established and helped to boost enrollment, retain countless students, and allowed everyone to feel seen, supported, and empowered. The Roy Flores Wellness Center works to carry on his mission and his legacy to this day.

Roy’s philosophy was simple: “Think student, then decide.” He believed education led to employment, which led to empowerment. Every decision he made centered on students and their success. Beyond campus, Roy served on local and national boards, mentored young people in the Filipino American community, and worked tirelessly to break down barriers to opportunity. Roy was a man of great fashion, who loved good food, good music, traveling, sports, and his family.

The Roy Flores Memorial Scholarship honors his life’s work by helping North Seattle College students who show the same determination, leadership, and commitment to community that Roy stood for. Your gift will help continue his mission of giving students the chance to learn, grow, and succeed.

By donating, you are celebrating Roy’s legacy and continuing to benefit students for generations to come.