As any parent can attest, raising young children is demanding and unpredictable. Adding work or school into the mix can be a lot to juggle, especially when childcare plans can fall through at a moment’s notice.

That’s where a new Washington State University Tri-Cities campus resource aims to help. Dubbed the “Coug Family Corner” and located in the Learning Commons area of the Consolidated Information Center, it’s a room where student parents and caregivers can bring their children or young relatives to campus on a short-term basis while attending to their studies at the same time. Furnished and stocked with a wide assortment of kid-friendly books, games and activities on one side of the room, the other half includes a conference-style table intended for student work and—if necessary—small group meetings.

The newly renovated space launched at the beginning of the fall semester and is available on a first-come, first-served basis to any student who needs it. To use the Coug Family Corner, students simply need to sign a check-in form, noting their agreement to a brief list of guidelines, which includes a requirement that student caregivers must remain with their children at all times.

“It’s a great resource for student parents or anyone who needs to watch a younger sibling,” Cristal Sternfeld, a junior pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing, says. “It’s safe, comfortable and gives you the chance to get homework done while keeping your child close by.”

As the parent of a 2-year-old daughter, Sternfeld says she has used the space a few times this semester already.

“One time I came to campus just to pick up a book and brought my daughter with me. Since I had an assignment due that day, I decided to stop by the family corner,” she says. “It ended up being the perfect spot. I was able to finish my assignment, and my daughter stayed busy and happy playing in the space.”

According to Evelyn Martinez-Ostrom, ���سԹ�’ director of student engagement and leadership, that’s precisely the kind of scenario university leadership had in mind when creating the Coug Family Corner this past summer.

“What if we created a space on campus where students could bring their children in unexpected situations?” Martinez-Ostrom says. “Say your childcare fell through but you still need to come to campus. Maybe this can be a way to get your work done, even if your kid happens to be with you.”

Martinez-Ostrom says the Coug Family Corner was spearheaded by a special committee on which she served with other ���سԹ� department representatives—including staff from the Office of Advancement and Facilities Services Department. That committee had been tasked by the Advisory Council Tri-Cities with exploring new ideas for bringing childcare support to campus.

“We’re kind of in a childcare desert out here,” Martinez-Ostrom, who also became a first-time mom around the time of the group’s formation, says. “We talked about what was realistic for us.”

Ultimately, the committee landed on the idea for Coug Family Corner and identified an underutilized location in the Learning Commons that had previously housed the Learning Glass, a room used primarily for online instruction during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding for the room’s renovation, including supplies and furniture, came from the College of Nursing’s social work program.

Now that the space is open, Martinez-Ostrom says she hopes to spread the word about Coug Family Corner not only to students, but also to student-facing staff and faculty who might be able to use the space as an alternative meeting location when students are accompanied by their children.

“It’s important to have an understanding from everyone on campus about this resource so that they can know how to accommodate that student in need,” Martinez-Ostrom says. “That’s really step one to being a more family-friendly institution for our students.”

As more students begin to take advantage of the resource, Martinez-Ostrom says she welcomes any feedback that will help make Coug Family Corner more useful and accommodating to more people.

For her part, Sternfeld says she appreciates having a family-friendly space on campus where she can go when the need arises. “It makes being a student parent feel more supported, and it helps reduce some of the stress of balancing school and childcare,” she says.

By Angela Sams

CHIȘINĂU, Moldova — During a recent trip to Moldova, Washington State University students toured medieval ruins, a monastery, and subterranean caves where monks hid from enemies while protecting wine, a historically symbolic and religious product in the eastern European country.

“Learning about Moldova really opened my eyes to how they value their wine as a livelihood and culture,” said Julie Hilland, a graduate student in WSU’s��. “It was inspiring to converse with people about their historical and agricultural challenges, from medieval to modern times, and how it has shaped their wine heritage and traditions. They want to celebrate this with the world.”

Supported by the����and a U.S. State Department-funded grant received by the Technical University of Moldova (TUM), the trip built on a 2024 partnership established by the two universities. The WSU visitors, which also included staff and faculty, received an overview of TUM’s academic programs, collaborated with TUM faculty and students, and toured the university’s facilities, including recently remodeled labs.

As one of the two WSU graduate students on the trip, Hilland shared the grape smoke exposure research taking place in Associate Professor Tom Collins’ lab at the��.

“I was honored to present,” said Hilland, who is pursuing a PhD in horticulture. “This trip was a really exciting opportunity. I wanted to learn about Moldovan wine production and see the winemakers’ artistry and passion for their product. I also wanted to understand their challenges and successes and how those compare to the U.S.”

The trip solidified WSU undergraduate Cecilia Sevier’s desire to work abroad after graduation.

“One reason I’m drawn to this industry is because it’s very internationally collaborative,” said Sevier, a senior V&E major. “This trip proved that. It was an amazing chance to connect with winemakers outside of the U.S. and see what students in Moldova are learning and what they want to do with their education.”

Throughout the weeklong visit, the group sampled Moldovan wine varietals including Fetească albă, akin to a muscat or muscadine; Fetească regală, similar to a Pinot noir; and Viorica, a dry, citrusy orange wine that pairs well with the local cuisine.

“I was thrilled to return this year, this time with both undergraduate and graduate students, to engage in hands-on learning opportunities that foster global collaboration, experiential education, and cross-cultural understanding between WSU and Moldovan wine scientists, educators, and producers,” said V&E Department Chair Jean Dodson Peterson.

The itinerary included stops at the Cricova and Asconi wineries, where the group learned how the country’s wine industry supports its citizens. The group also learned more about local history during a day trip to Old Orhei.

“Winemaking isn’t just a business for Moldovan people,” Sevier said. “It’s part of their tradition and culture. It was really inspiring to be part of that, even for just a short while.”

Sevier was especially struck by the humbleness of the Moldovan winemakers.

“Moldova has one of the oldest wine industries in the world, and the winemakers never seemed to be bragging or trying to prove something,” she said. “They were so excited to share their wines and hear which ones we preferred and why. The community aspect of wine is at the center of everything they do.”

As the trip ended, the students attended the Moldovan Wine Festival, a lively cultural celebration that included wine tasting, crafts, music, and other activities.

“Experiencing the level of enthusiasm the Moldovan people have for their wine was galvanic!” Hilland said. “From historical events to modern research, Moldova is the perfect balance of production and artistry.”

Both Hilland and Sevier hope the connections they established with TUM faculty and students during the trip will remain as they pursue future careers in the wine industry.

“This trip made the world feel smaller in a good way, and it changed my perspective on wine as a whole,” Sevier said. “It made me feel like a student of the world, rather than just one university. I now feel so much more ready to be a part of this industry when I graduate.”

By Flynn Espe

Three undergraduate Washington State University students traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, last month to take part in the conference. For four days at the World Health Organization headquarters, the trio joined more than 400 high school and college student delegates from approximately 40 countries in a series of simulations focused on diplomacy and consensus building.

The WSU students who participated were Bhargav Iyer, a senior biology major from WSU Pullman; Zoe Pfeifer, a senior biology major from ���سԹ�; and Romeo Ross, a sophomore social sciences major from ���سԹ�. Anna Plemons, associate vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for ���سԹ�, also traveled as the group’s faculty advisor. The trip was partially funded thanks to a donor contribution to the ���سԹ� Dynamic Student Engagement Fund, as well as the Phil and June Lighty Student Leadership Development Fund.

Like a Model United Nations summit, in which each student takes on the role of ambassador for a UN nation, the Global Model WHO conference had student delegates serving as mock representatives for a WHO member country. Daily simulation sessions were divided across six committees, each tackling a different global health topic. All three WSU delegates took part in the committee titled “Equity and Integration to Prevent and Control Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs).”

“Before arriving, we had to write a position paper,” Pfeifer, who represented the Philippines, said. “It required intensive research to figure out your positions, find the rates of diseases, or NCDs, and just familiarize yourself with your country.”

Through several rounds of dialogue and debate, students advocated for draft resolution language changes that would best advance the policy needs of their respective nations. While some portions of the simulations had students negotiating with one another in smaller regional groups, other segments were dedicated to open-forum discussion, in which any delegate was free to raise their country flag to make a statement.

“As soon as you press the mic, there are multiple cameras around the room and it all pans on you,” Ross, who represented the Dominican Republic and also served as a plenary speaker at the conference, said. “I definitely improved in my public speaking and the nerves I had prior to that.”

At the end of the conference, Iyer received a Diplomacy Award for exemplary representation on behalf of his assigned country, Panama.

“I’m incredibly grateful to receive this award and am proud to represent WSU in this international space,” Iyer said. “My biggest takeaway from this trip was reassurance in the fact that we can solve so many pressing issues by coming together and working on them. Intentional collaboration and effective communication are key pillars to passing meaningful policy, and despite the many cultural and linguistic barriers, I was impressed with the work that students did at this conference.”

According to WHO, noncommunicable diseases—such as cancers, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases—killed at least 43 million people in 2021. Additionally, roughly 73 percent of NCD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

“For the country I represented, NCDs contributed to 68 percent of the deaths in that country, so it’s a big issue,” Pfeifer said.

To set the stage for the proceedings, the opening sessions took place inside the WHO executive boardroom. That’s where students heard directly from world health leaders and were reminded of the many historic health causes—from decreasing worldwide polio outbreaks to combating COVID-19—that had been championed within that very space.

“When they started, they told us, ‘This is the room where the smallpox problem got solved,’” Pfeifer said. “It was like, ‘Holy cow!’”

“This is a building that I’ve seen on TV,” Ross echoed. “It’s something that I really did appreciate, especially being in that room with so much history and significance. It was a surreal feeling.”

As someone with a strong interest in international law and humanitarian work, Ross said he had long wanted to gain firsthand UN experience, either through a student internship or other opportunity. After hearing about the Global Model WHO conference over the summer, it was he who first brought the opportunity to Plemons’ attention.

Plemons, in turn, instigated the conversations among ���سԹ� staff and faculty that led to the trip being greenlit and funded as an official WSU activity. She also arranged to offer and teach a one-credit UNIV 490 Global Leadership Experience course this semester, with the goal of giving Pfeifer and Ross the space and academic resources to participate in the Geneva event.

“It was very evident to me that there is real value in these kinds of experiences, and I am excited about WSU continuing to get students into the spaces where this kind of deep, contextualized learning and intercultural exchange is happening,” Plemons said, noting that WSU was one of just four American universities—and the only public university—to send students to the conference.

Outside of the simulations, students also got to take part in nightly cultural exchange activities involving food, language and dance. The WSU students said they enjoyed the opportunity to meet and engage with students from around the world, including from countries that have had tense or strained diplomatic relations with the United States.

“Having conversations with individuals from those countries, you get to see they’re some of the nicest people,” Ross said.

“Everyone there was on the same level,” Pfeifer said. “It was so interesting to bridge that gap of everything we’ve been taught in school about certain countries or certain cultures and just see it for yourself.”

In addition to exploring Geneva, the three WSU students also used their free time to visit Annecy, France, and Bern, Switzerland. Global Model WHO is an annual event organized by the World Federation of United Nations Associations. This year’s conference took place Oct. 28–31.

Check out this conference recap from !

By Flynn Espe

When Washington State University Tri-Cities student Jeff Wilson looks back on his 21-year career in the U.S. Navy, there’s no shortage of memorable places and experiences that spring to mind.

“I was turning wrenches on airplanes and going out to sea, watching the sunset—then working all night, looking at the stars and watching the sunrise again,” he says. “It was wonderful.”

Wilson enlisted in May 2001. His military service took him to both coasts of the continental United States—including in Virginia, California and Florida—and twice to Japan. His first job was servicing fixed-wing aircraft, working on hydraulics and metalcraft for the E-2C Hawkeye and C-2A Greyhound, before moving on to helicopters. After serving for a few years as a recruiter in his home state of Washington, he returned to the world of aircraft, directing flight deck operations and supervising others in daily maintenance. At one point during his first station in Japan, having achieved the rank of chief petty officer, Wilson oversaw 34 enlisted sailors.

“I made the rules, took their input and tried to have fun and make it as family-ish as we could,” Wilson says. “There were a bunch of administrative skills that that I picked up along the way as far as organization goes, meeting deadlines and that kind of thing—being able to work with anybody from anywhere, with any kind of background.”

By the time he retired in 2022, Wilson says he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do next, only that he was eager to try out something new. Taking advantage of his GI Bill education benefits, he eventually chose ���سԹ� to pursue his bachelor’s degree and the surrounding community as a new place to settle with his wife and two young boys, hoping to be close to his extended family as well.

“We drove over here from Pensacola and then lived in my sister’s friend’s basement for a few weeks while we looked for a place to live,” Wilson says.

Today, Wilson is on track to graduate this spring with not one, but two undergraduate degrees from ���سԹ�. His first major, a B.A. in Social Sciences, was completed in 2024.

“I had a focus on anthropology, history and psychology, and that was fun because I got to write in a lot of different styles,” he says of his first two years as a Social Sciences major. “I just had a really good time researching and writing papers.”

With some education benefits remaining after his first graduation, Wilson wasn’t ready to move on from WSU just yet. Not wanting to enter a master’s program, however, he instead opted for a second major in Digital Technology and Culture (DTC).

“One of the UCORE classes I took was a DTC class with Assistant Professor Phillip Mudd, and it was using Photoshop and Illustrator,” Wilson says. “I had a whole lot of fun doing that.”

Designed for students who want to explore a wide range of creative media and storytelling formats, the Digital Technology and Culture major gives students extensive hands-on experience in areas such as web and graphic design, 3D animation and more.

“We’re really getting familiar with the Adobe Suite,” he says. “I’ve learned a lot of about myself and just how hard it is to create something.”

For one recent assignment, Wilson and his classmates each designed and built their own version of a Rube Goldberg machine, in which the machine’s purpose revolves around a playfully overcomplicated—as opposed to practical—outcome. Determined not to spend money on his device, Wilson used random tools from his home garage, including at least one component that harkens back to his naval roots.

“I have an 18-inch marlinspike, which is a tool that the boatswain’s mates used to tie knots and big lines for ships,” he says. “I have a sign that says, ‘Will it work?’ And then if it works, the sign flops down and says, ‘Yup.’ Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.”

One of Wilson’s favorite projects as a Cougar combined history and visual art when he worked under the guidance of ���سԹ� Assistant Professor Robert Franklin, assistant director of the Hanford History Project, to create an archive celebrating the work of the late visionary artist James Acord. For that project, Wilson received funding through the ���سԹ� Summer Scholars program to document and preserve Acord’s sculptures and creative techniques, which often incorporated the use of radioactive materials to highlight the dangers of nuclear waste storage.

“He was the only [private individual] to get certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to handle and possess radioactive materials,” Wilson says. “He was his own radiation safety officer. And he developed a way to extract the radioactive material out of Fiestaware, which were these old plates from the ’40s.”

Looking ahead, Wilson says he’s still open to many potential career paths. Drawing from his managerial experience as a Navy chief and his current academic projects in digital design, for example, Wilson says he could see himself as a project manager for a creative team.

Regardless of where his journey leads next, Wilson credits his time at ���سԹ� for providing a smooth transition from military to civilian life. For now, you can still often find him working at the Veteran’s Center, a campus space where he enjoys lounging, studying, and interacting with students from all walks of life.

“Some folks are veterans. Some folks would never join the military. And we all get along,” Wilson says with a smile. “It’s been a good couple of years of just interacting with the professors and the students and meeting people.”

For the third year in a row, more students are choosing to pursue degrees at Washington State University Tri-Cities. The campus achieved an overall headcount increase of 8.1%, rising from 1,489 students last fall to 1,609 this year.

First-year enrollment grew by 11.1%, marking the third consecutive year of double-digit growth in that group. First-time graduate students more than doubled, and total undergraduate enrollment increased 8.1% compared with last fall.

“An 8.1% increase in overall enrollment and another record-breaking number of first-year students indicates that students and families understand the benefits of a ���سԹ� education,” said Sandra Haynes, chancellor of ���سԹ�. “We are proud to be a campus where students can pursue excellent academic programs in a supportive, close-knit community.”

Overall enrollment across the WSU system remained nearly flat year over year, declining less than 1% from 25,685 students in fall 2024 to 25,477 this fall.

Jamie Owens, campus director of admissions, attributed the growth in part to her team’s efforts to strengthen outreach to local high schools and transfer students by providing accessible information.

“I am once again thrilled to welcome our largest first-year student class ever. Achieving a third consecutive year of double-digit growth is a testament to the incredible dedication of our admission counselors. They work hard to deliver a personalized experience, helping students realize the opportunities and support ���سԹ� has to offer.

“These results are achieved by spending time in high schools, welcoming prospective students at on-campus events, and sending countless emails, text messages and phone calls. We genuinely care that our students and their families feel confident in their college decision and work to ensure they understand how to maximize financial aid,” Owens said.

According to Owens, initiatives such as application workshops and “Instant Decision Days” at regional high schools and community colleges helped boost the number of first-year students.

Affordability, a small-campus environment, a low student-to-faculty ratio, and the ability to leverage WSU partnerships locally, nationally and internationally also make ���سԹ� an attractive option for area students. Many pair their coursework with internships and other real-world experiences, giving them opportunities to graduate career-ready.

“Our enrollment growth not only strengthens ���سԹ�, but contributes to the vitality of the Tri-Cities region by preparing the next generation of professionals and leaders,” Haynes said.

Kate McAteer, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, noted that an accompanying upward trend in the first-time, first-year retention rate reflects the confidence students have in campus supports, both inside and outside the classroom.

“Our approach to ensuring all campus employees see themselves as educators is critical to student success,” McAteer said. “As more students choose our campus, we are excited to expand opportunities that prepare them to lead and succeed in the years ahead.”

For Jesus Delgado Sholtys, navigating school as an English language learner came with challenges, and his hopes of attending college once seemed out of reach. But with encouragement from local educators, Delgado Sholtys earned a teaching degree from Washington State University Tri-Cities and was named the inaugural recipient of the College of Education Community Advocate Award from WSU’s College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences.

The award, presented to just one undergraduate student in teacher education across all WSU campuses, recognizes a student’s commitment to the university’s land-grant mission and leadership in academic and community settings.

Delgado Sholtys was nominated by ���سԹ� faculty for his classroom leadership, work as a paraeducator, and advocacy for multilingual learners in the Tri-Cities region.

“Winning this award means doing your best does pay off,” Delgado Sholtys said. “And it encourages me to continue doing my best every single day, in everything I do.”

The College of Education Community Advocate Award is one of seven student honors presented annually by the College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences. These awards recognize graduating students who exemplify WSU’s land-grant mission through community engagement, research, the education of diverse populations, and the real-world application of knowledge.

“This award highlights the heart of what we do at ���سԹ�—serve communities, expand opportunity, and prepare the next generation to thrive,” said Lindsay Lightner, faculty member and Alternative Route program coordinator.

Delgado Sholtys’ path to becoming a teacher began in 2018, when he interviewed for a bilingual paraeducator position at Edison Elementary School in Kennewick.

“After getting the job, suddenly work didn’t feel like a tedious, unenjoyable task anymore—it became something I looked forward to every day,” he said.

He credits the “seeds of encouragement” from Edison’s vice principal and reading specialist Ms. Johnson—who also taught literacy at ���سԹ�—for guiding him toward higher education. Johnson encouraged him to contact Lindsay Lightner at ���سԹ� about the Alternative Route teacher certification program.

“Never in a million years would I have dared to dream that one day I would be graduating from WSU as an educator,” he said. “The rest, as they say, is history.”

The Alternative Route supports paraeducators currently working in local partner school districts. It allows participants to earn credit for prior learning and work experience, take university coursework, and complete a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, along with special education, English language learners, or bilingual education add-on endorsements.

Delgado Sholtys graduated in May with a degree in elementary education and endorsements in bilingual education and English language learning. He plans to begin his teaching career in one of the local school districts.

“I want nothing more than to make my parents proud and take care of them the best I can,” he said.

When Yasamin Alazawi first envisioned her college journey, the Washington State University Tri-Cities biology and psychology double major had her sights set on the University of Washington (UW) and a path toward medical school. But life—and a strong connection to family—had other plans.

“I really wanted to go to UW, but my family was nervous about me being so far away,” she said. “Eventually, I had a change of heart. I realized I wanted to stay close and be part of the Tri-Cities community.”

Alazawi completed her associate degree at Columbia Basin College in just one year and then transferred to ���سԹ�, where her story took a transformative turn.

“Even though I really wanted to go to the UW, I am so grateful I came to ���سԹ�,” she said. “It allowed me to stay with my family and connect with the community.”

At first, she focused solely on academics, going to class and returning home each day. But by her second year, she began to notice something different about the campus.

“I saw how many programs and resources were available, and how close-knit this community really is. I wanted to be involved.”

Her first step into student life came through the Pre-Health Club, which had gone inactive until she stepped up to co-lead its revival as club president. That experience sparked a deep interest in leadership and set her on a path of involvement.

She went on to serve as an Associated Students of ���سԹ� (ASWSUTC) senator for the College of Arts and Sciences, gaining valuable insight into student governance.

“My role as senator gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how things are done and gave me a chance to help people and make change.”

Alazawi credits much of her success to the supportive environment on campus.

“The students here are so nice and the professors really care. Because of the size of the campus, it’s easier to get to know people. That support helped me see the potential in what I could do academically.”

Two campus mentors stood out in particular: Nelmi Devarie Baez, associate professor of chemistry and Elly Sweet, associate dean and academic director of the ���سԹ� College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor of biological sciences.

“Nelmi shared his own story as a student, and it was so relatable. He really cares about helping others. And Dr. Sweet is amazing—she’s kind, professional, and always supportive.”

One of her most memorable experiences came when she attended the 2023 SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) conference in Portland, Oregon. It was her first time at a professional conference, made possible through ���سԹ�’ TRIO program.

“That experience helped me build stronger connections with friends and professors. I didn’t even know conferences were an option for me until I joined TRIO.”

In addition to her academic and campus leadership achievements, she completed a two-year internship at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where she worked in material science research and proteomics.

Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed. This year, Alazawi was honored as one of WSU’s Top 10 Seniors—a recognition that took her by surprise.

“I was nominated by Evelyn Martinez Ostrom, student services coordinator and advisor to ASWSUTC, and honestly didn’t think I was doing anything special. To be recognized for being involved on campus feels really rewarding.”

Following graduation, she will be working as a medical assistant at Northwest Endovascular Surgery in Richland, Washington and begin applying to medical schools, including WSU, UW, and others across the U.S. and abroad. Her goal is to specialize in dermatology, a passion sparked by her own struggles with skin issues after high school.

“I did research, changed my skincare routine, and started helping friends and family. Seeing real results and being able to help others really inspired me.”

To other ���سԹ� students, her advice is simple but powerful:

“Integrate into clubs and extracurricular activities on campus. Put in the effort to talk to professors and don’t be afraid to start a conversation. Join TRIO—it connects you to support, resources, and amazing opportunities like conferences.”

Thirteen Washington State University Tri-Cities undergraduate students presented six different projects at the at WSU Pullman and two groups returned home with top awards. In total, 54 students were the recipients of 44 awards totaling $10,200, announced the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), host of the system-wide March 24 event.

“The posters I judged… were truly outstanding,” said Neil Corrigan, visiting teaching professor in cybersecurity at ���سԹ�, who served as both a faculty mentor and a judge for the category of Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, and Information Sciences. “The students presenting their projects were enthusiastic about their research and did a wonderful job of explaining their results to me. The research projects I observed were all of high quality, and it was evident that the participating undergraduate students had put in a great deal of time and effort to achieve a successful outcome.”

Awards are available at four levels, with crimson being the highest, gray the second-highest, early career for first-year students and sophomores, and novice for new researchers.

In the Engineering and Physical Sciences category, the project team of Dylan DuBois-Kilroy, Sarah Ellis, Kristopher Hahn, Joe Hawkins and John Lindquist��won the Crimson Award for their project “Design of a Cost Effective Vectored Remote Operated Vehicle for Water Sampling”, advised by engineering professor Changki Mo.

In the Computer Science, Math and Statistics category Diego Rangel Monroy��won the crimson award for his project “Formally Correct Radial Averaging for Cartesian-Polar Mesh Mapping”, advised by mathematics professor Ryan Learn.

“Receiving recognition for the result of years of work was very encouraging,” said Monroy. “I felt reinspired to continue progressing towards my goals at a time when my ‘academic batteries’ were starting to run low.”

Held since 2012, SURCA is the only WSU-wide venue for undergraduates in every major and year in college to share their research. The number of 2025 accepted abstracts from presenters and the number of volunteer judges set new records at 273 and 239, respectively.

are available online, and a is on YouTube.

Four students from Washington State University Tri-Cities have been awarded a total of $36,000 in fellowships to study in Scandinavia during the fall 2025 semester. This initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers and provide transformative international experiences for students from diverse backgrounds.

“I’m enthusiastic about increasing the number of ���سԹ� students who participate in these experiences,” said Joseph Ianelli, professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and associate dean for international programs in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. “The overarching objective remains that of contributing to graduate cosmopolitan professionals for sustainability leadership in globalized societies.”

The fellowships not only recognize the students’ academic achievements but also support ���سԹ�’ mission to cultivate a diverse and globally aware student body. By studying abroad, each student will gain invaluable insights and skills, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to their respective fields.

Andreya Ortiz, a biology major, will be studying at Aarhus University in Aarhus, Denmark, through the Denmark Environmental Sustainability program. Ortiz received a $6,310 fellowship from the Scan Design Foundation to support her experience.

She first learned about the opportunity when Ianelli presented it in her Plants and People class in fall 2024. “I was immediately hooked and couldn’t stop thinking about whether I should apply or not,” Ortiz said. “I was nervous about the idea of leaving my family behind for the fall semester, but with the support and push from my husband, I decided to take the leap and apply.”

Razan Osman, a civil engineering and environmental sciences student, will also be studying at Aarhus University with the support of an additional $6,310 fellowship from the Scan Design Foundation.

Lia Hornby, a mechanical engineering student, received a $12,000 fellowship through the National Science Foundation’s International Research Experiences for Students (NSF-IRES) program. She will be studying at Linköping University in Sweden, where she will engage in advanced computational research.

Henry Jordan, also a mechanical engineering student, was awarded an additional $12,000 NSF-IRES fellowship to study at Linköping University. Like Hornby, he will be involved in computational engineering research.

At Aarhus University, Ortiz and Osman will engage in the Environmental Sustainability Student Program. Aarhus University is a top 100 research-intensive institution known for its commitment to international collaboration and a broad range of academic programs.

This initiative emphasizes research and education in environmental sustainability. Participants will undertake research projects, attend classes, and immerse themselves in Danish culture.

Hornby and Jordan will participate in the Student Training and Research Semesters (STARS) program at Linköping University. Linköping University emphasizes boundary-breaking research and innovative education, maintaining close ties with industry and society.

The program offers research opportunities in computational engineering, mathematics, and science, where students work with advanced high-performance computing systems and focus on developing innovative algorithms through neural networks and machine learning.

For Ortiz, the opportunity to study abroad is not just about academics but also about personal and professional growth. “I’m most excited to contribute to meaningful environmental research that will help me gain hands-on experience,” she said.

She also believes that the experience will have a lasting impact on her future. “Studying abroad will give me a global perspective on sustainability, something I couldn’t replicate in a classroom alone,” Ortiz explained. “The hands-on research and cultural immersion will be invaluable for my career as an environmentalist, which I can later directly apply in the field.”

By Lacey Desserault

For some, pursuing professional development may be a great opportunity to take the next step in their careers. For others, it may change the trajectory of their whole lives.

At Washington State University Tri-Cities, the Cougar Tracks program is designed specifically to meet the professional development needs of industry for the region. Courses are geared toward various employment levels and are offered online and on-demand, making it easy for individuals to enhance their professional skills at their own pace. Local businesses also frequently utilize the courses as onboarding tools, or to upskill and reskill their workforce.

“As a land grant university, it is ���سԹ�’ mission to support the local population with educational solutions, programming that is credit and non-credit,” said Michelle Hrycauk Nassif, director of Cougar Tracks. “We are really providing the pathway for the region to advance professionally and to increase economic growth and sustainability with our partners.”

In a diverse and fast-growing region like the Tri-Cities, the need for professional growth is not limited to a singular industry or organization, and ���سԹ� continues to seek new partners that can benefit from Cougar Tracks’ course offerings. One of those partners is Grace Kitchen.

Building a community

Located in downtown Pasco, Grace Kitchen serves the Tri-Cities by providing sanctuary employment and resources that help women exit trafficking, addiction, incarceration, homelessness, and poverty.

Grace Kitchen houses a catering company that serves local businesses, and they also make homemade artisan pasta and BBQ rubs that are sold online and in stores. Each product from Grace Kitchen is crafted by the women they serve in exchange for professional development opportunities, living wages, a supportive community, and a fresh start.

Partnering with the Department of Corrections and several other nonprofit organizations in the region, the women who come through the doors of Grace Kitchen are immediately greeted by trauma informed mentors, who then spend several hours getting to know them and help them feel comfortable in the program.

Grace Kitchen was founded by Amanda Lorraine, who was inspired by her own story of escaping poverty and addiction. “In my twenties, I started having a lot of people walk alongside me, investing time in me and mentoring me and I got out,” she said. “When I moved here in 2014, I knew I wanted to continue to walk alongside women who had similar stories as my own.”

After spending several years volunteering with similar organizations, Lorraine noticed that the same women would frequently return in need of assistance, unable to escape their destructive cycles, so she began to put her own dreams into action.

“I started dreaming and praying about what it would look like to start a sanctuary work program, because what I realized is that these women are incredibly isolated, they are pushed to the margins of our society, and they’ve missed so many opportunities in their life. They needed this sanctuary workplace where they can come just as they are, right out of addiction, into clean and sober living, and they can have a safe place to grow and to learn to work and communicate, build community. That’s what Grace Kitchen is all about. It’s a sisterhood for life,” she said.

A partnership to cultivate service excellence

With professional development as a cornerstone of Grace Kitchen’s philosophy, a partnership was formed with Cougar Tracks to enroll some of their employees in the Cultivating Service Excellence (CSE) course. Covering a variety of topics associated with professionalism, personal accountability, and effective customer service, the course equips employees from any industry with knowledge and skills to grow and succeed in the workplace.

Sixteen women participated in the first Grace Kitchen cohort, learning valuable tools they can apply to their current roles and carry with them after graduating from the Grace Kitchen program. Many of them recalled that they learned the importance of first impressions through body language, facial expressions, and vocal tone when interacting with customers and donors.

“I feel more confident in helping customers when they come in. I can still be myself but now I’m more mindful of how I would want to be treated,” one employee explained.

Other women connected what they learned with how they communicate with fellow employees and were reminded of skills they had learned in previous employment experiences.

“[The courses] are a really valuable tool that they are going to be able to put into their toolbox when they graduate the Grace Kitchen program and move into their next career. It’s a lightbulb moment for them, and it is truly foundational,” Lorraine said.

Scholarships for professional growth

Enrolling in the CSE course with Cougar Tracks costs approximately $250 per person, which can add up quickly for an organization like Grace Kitchen, which relies on donations and grants for 75% of their annual operating budget. Fortunately, the employees were funded through scholarships provided by Visit Tri-Cities, created in partnership with the cities of Pasco, Richland, and Kennewick to enhance professional growth in the community.

Hector Cruz, vice president of development and community engagement at Visit Tri-Cities, explained that the scholarships are crucial in funding opportunities for small businesses to retain their employees.

“Our local businesses need as many resources as they can get, and this program really going to help them keep those employees, stay open, and help them get more revenue,” he said.

Continuing to collaborate

Grace Kitchen is setting the bar for what is possible in collaboration with ���سԹ�, and plans are already in the works to continue educating women in need. A workshop based on the CSE course is being planned and will soon be available for Grace Kitchen employees so the women will have opportunities to further apply what they learned in group exercises and discussions.

Hrycauk Nassif emphasized that the passion and dedication shown by the employees of Grace Kitchen exemplified the profound impact of both organizations’ shared mission of community success.

“At ���سԹ�, we see firsthand how empowering women through education and skill-building can ignite lasting change,” she said. “Within the Tri-Cities community, the Cougar Pride is so strong- once a Coug always a Coug. Now those women are in that community, when they may not have otherwise had that opportunity.”

There are currently ten Cougar Tracks courses available for individuals to enroll in, covering a range of subjects.