Auburn Adventist Academy has welcomed alumnus Jesse C. Bliss as its new principal, marking both a new chapter for the school and a personal homecoming for one of its former boarding students.
Bliss returns to the campus that helped shape his faith, calling and life direction. His family’s connection to AAA spans generations, making his return to the Pacific Northwest especially meaningful.
“AAA was transformational for me as a young man,” Bliss said. “The teachers and staff invested in me, opened my eyes and helped set a trajectory that shaped who I am today. Coming back to AAA is a homecoming, and I will dedicate my heart, mind and spirit to this place and to the students, families, faculty and staff who call it home.”
Bliss brings more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education administration, national organizational leadership, public health and international mission service. He spent 10 years in academic and administrative leadership at Loma Linda University School of Public Health.
Most recently, Bliss served five years on the National Environmental Health Association executive leadership team in Washington, D.C. In that role, he developed and led internship, leadership and workforce development programs.
Throughout his career, Bliss has also served in children’s and youth ministries, student missions, public health leadership and cross-cultural community development. He has mentored students and emerging professionals pursuing careers in health sciences, ministry and service.
Michelle Wachter, Washington Conference vice president for education, served as AAA’s interim principal during the leadership transition.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jesse Bliss as the next principal of AAA,” Wachter said. “He brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep commitment to Adventist education. His dedication to serving students, staff and families through Christ-centered leadership will be a tremendous blessing to our academy.”
Bliss holds a doctorate in public health from the University of Utah School of Medicine and a master of public health from Loma Linda University. He and his wife, Walleska, have two sons, David and Aaron, who also joined the AAA and Buena Vista Seventh-day Adventist School communities.
Bliss said his decision to accept the position followed a season of prayer and reflection about how he could serve God more directly.
“My prayer has been, ‘God, how can I do work to build Your kingdom?’” he said. “The opportunity for students’ lives to be changed such that their experience at AAA helps shape their passion, purpose and trajectory toward the kingdom, that is everything, and that is why I have answered this call.”
As Bliss begins his leadership at AAA, he returns as an administrator and alumnus committed to helping a new generation experience the same transformational influence that shaped his own life.
Jesse C. Bliss and his wife, Walleska, return to the Pacific Northwest as their family begins a new chapter with the AAA community.
