The Thurston County Superior Court judges have appointed Nichelle Curtis-McQueen as Juvenile Court administrator (JCA).
She will succeed Ted Bryan, who has served in that role since July 2021.
Curtis-McQueen has bachelor of social work and master of social work degrees and has worked in juvenile justice for many years.
As JCA, Curtis-McQueen will be responsible to plan, organize and direct all Juvenile Court Services. These services include juvenile probation, diversion, secure detention and the court’s Dependency Guardian ad Litem program. She will also be responsible for administrative, legal support and financial services relating to juvenile court.
Curtis-McQueen was appointed by the board of judges following a nationwide recruitment and will start working for Thurston County on Jan. 1, 2026.
“She will be a great addition to Juvenile Court,” Thurston County Superior Court said in a news release. “Her experience and leadership in medium and maximum-security settings for youth has provided her with insight into what works for youth. Her vision and values align with those of the Thurston County Superior Court bench.”
Curtis-McQueen is excited for the opportunity to lead the work provided for kids and families in the community, the news release stated.
Curtis-McQueen started her career at JR as a juvenile security officer and has been committed to supporting young people ever since, according to the news release. She currently serves as an associate superintendent at Echo Glen Children’s Center within the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. There she oversees daily operations for multiple living units, supervising staff, coordinating educational and recreational programming, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with state regulations.
“Her experience managing contracts and implementing policies has provided her with a deep understanding of the operational and legal complexities of juvenile services,” Thurston County Superior Court said in a news release. “She is committed to fostering rehabilitative environments that prioritize safety, skill development, and positive youth outcomes. In her new role, she is looking forward to advancing safety, leading system change, and promoting equitable outcomes for the youth we serve.”
Curtis-McQueen has strong community connections in Thurston County, having lived in the county from 2012 to 2017. During that time, she coached high school track at Olympia High School and was a youth mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. She currently is an adjunct professor at Saint Martin's University, where she teaches in the social work program.
