M.Ed., Whitworth University
B.A., Whitworth University

Ray Ricks currently serves as the Program Director for the School of Education.  Additionally, he is an Assistant Professor of Education teaching a variety of teaching and school counseling courses. He is passionate and committed to the training and equipping of teachers and school counselors to become competent, capable, caring, mission-driven leaders who will make an impact on the future generation. His life verse comes from Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”     

Ray served for most of his career as a teacher, basketball coach, athletic director, and administrator in K-12 schools. Over the years, he taught English, Mathematics, Ethics/Leadership and coached baseball, soccer, and basketball. In 2022, he was recognized for success in coaching basketball as he was inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  

After teaching, Ray worked primarily as a school administrator. He served in roles of the years as an athletic director, a middle school coordinator, an elementary principal, and a high school principal. During his time as a high school principal, he launched many college-in-the-high-school courses, additional AP courses, the Business Leadership Academy, and the Senior Leadership Portfolio Initiative. As well, he helped to launch a variety of competitive high school interscholastic teams including football, girls’ soccer, robotics, and wrestling. During his last two years in K-12 education, he transitioned to district administration leading the educational programming in his school as the Executive Director of Education.         

Ray loves spending time with his wife Shawna, his three boys, extended family, and friends.  In his leisure time, you will likely find him riding his motorcycle, coaching, watching a sports event, or woodworking in his shop. He also enjoys most any outdoor activity particularly hiking, kayaking, biking, golf and pickleball.