CWU for Life: From Criminal Justice Major to CEO and Podcast Host
- Giovanne Schachere
- Oct 1
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 3
When Giovanne Schachere arrived at Central Washington University to study Criminal Justice, he had no idea how defining those years would be.
He was among the first students to live in Wendell Hill Hall, across from the music building, before later moving into Brooklane Village. Like many students, balancing tuition, financial aid, and housing costs was a challenge. At one point, he even relocated temporarily to Yakima to make things work while continuing his studies.
“I thought about dropping out more than once,” Schachere recalls. “But CWU gave me the support I needed to keep going.”
One professor extended his quarter and worked with him one-on-one to help him pass math. The Black Student Union became another source of inspiration. His brother Gianni Glover, also a CWU Grad, participated in sit-ins for equality and shared his story through poetry slams. “The BSU reminded me that my voice mattered, and that I wasn’t alone,” he says.
Those experiences shaped the leader he is today. Schachere is now the CEO of Mysti’s Adult and Family Services, serving communities across Washington and California with housing navigation, case management, and economic opportunity. He recently earned his master’s degree from Capella University and launched The Giovanne Show, a podcast that amplifies stories of leadership, equity, and housing justice.
“Everything I do today is rooted in what I learned at CWU — the grit, the resilience, the voice I found in the classroom and in the BSU,” Schachere says. “That’s why for me, it’s not just that I went to CWU. It’s CWU for life.”