Posted 3:37 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Alumnus Shaundel Washington-Spivey becomes city’s first Black mayor, calls for unity and collaboration
When Shaundel Washington-Spivey was a political science major at UW-La Crosse, he told his mentors in Multicultural Student Services that if he stayed in La Crosse after graduation, he’d one day run for mayor.
This April, he made good on that promise — and made history in the process.
Washington-Spivey, ’12 & ’15, was sworn in as the new mayor of La Crosse in mid-April, becoming the city’s first Black mayor. His election marks a milestone not only in his personal journey but also for representation and leadership in the La Crosse community.
“Receiving the votes shows that people trust me to do the job,” he said. “Now it’s up to me to do the job well.”
Washington-Spivey’s path to public office began years before any campaign signs were posted. As a UWL undergraduate, he noticed how many people in his community were left out of political conversations and lacked access to the tools needed to effect change. His studies, volunteer work, and later roles in nonprofits reinforced a belief that civic systems must be made more accessible to everyone.
“Yes, we all took a U.S. history course, but then we got busy with our lives,” he said. “There’s this perception that people just know how government works, but unless you’re really engaged in it, you often don’t.”
A longtime advocate for equity and inclusion, Washington-Spivey co-founded Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge (BLACK), a La Crosse nonprofit supporting youth and families. He previously led UWL’s Upward Bound program and served as a college connections manager at Western Technical College, helping students navigate the path to higher education.
He has also been heavily involved in the K-12 school system. He served as a cultural liaison for the School District of La Crosse, providing support for racially diverse students and families. And he was a member of the district’s Board of Education from 2019 to 2022.
Throughout these roles, he maintained a focus on building a more inclusive community.
As mayor, he plans to meet with leaders from La Crosse public schools, area colleges, and UW-La Crosse to develop a shared vision for the city’s future.
"If we truly appreciate our college students and families and continuing to have great K–12 system, then we need a shared vision of where the city is going,” he said. “I think there are collaborations happening, but I think they can happen more often.”
Learning about leadership
Washington-Spivey’s commitment to leadership began in high school and continued at UWL, where he was actively involved in student life. He served as social justice director for the UWL Student Association, vice president of the Asian Student Organization, and held multiple executive roles in Black Student Unity, among other leadership roles on campus. He also helped establish Kings of Nia, a student organization inspired by the Swahili word for “purpose.”
These opportunities helped him hone his leadership skills. Leadership is largely about building relationships, as well as researching and knowing the issues well, he says. He moved from feeling intimidated during his first days on campus, to soaking up new knowledge, and eventually, finding his voice.
“Going to a predominantly white institution, you’re hit with many different challenges — not just academic ones, but the question of ‘Do I belong here?’” he said.
As mayor, Washington-Spivey hopes to help everyone feel that they do belong.
“We should truly be hearing everyone — not just the powerful few,” he said. “I’m not saying ‘don’t listen to them,’ but also include the voices that have historically been left out.”
Washington-Spivey succeeds former Mayor Mitch Reynolds, who chose not to seek re-election. His term runs from April 2025 to April 2029.
Alumni honor
Shaundel Washington-Spivey recently earned the 2024 Morgan Improving the Lives of Others Distinguished Alumni Award from UWL. The award was for his personal and professional commitment to supporting community members in need throughout his