By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� Washington State University Tri-Cities alumna Anne Taylor found her calling in higher education after experiencing what is possible through her own education at WSU.

The 2017 graduate earned her bachelor���s degree in social sciences and looking back on her educational experience at 厙ぴ勛圖, it was the family atmosphere, the care that she personally experienced as a student and the great friendships that she built as a result of her time at WSU that made her realize that she would like to give back in the same way.

Prior to transferring to 厙ぴ勛圖, Taylor attended Coastline Community College and Galveston College while serving active duty in the Coast Guard. After she received her associate of science in general science in 2015, she wanted to return home to be close to family, which is how she decided to pursue her bachelor���s at 厙ぴ勛圖.

As a student at 厙ぴ勛圖, Taylor worked as an AVID tutor. In the years following, she worked in the university���s Office of Undergraduate Advising as its reinstatement coordinator, in addition to serving as the student vice president for the 厙ぴ勛圖 chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

���Studying and working at 厙ぴ勛圖 made me realize my passion for higher education,��� she said. ���As the reinstatement coordinator, I worked alongside academic advisors, implementing retention and advising initiatives. The communication skills and knowledge that I gained from my experiences in advising helped prepare me for my current role as an admissions counselor.���

And with her degree, Taylor said she grew an understanding of the natural tendencies of people, studying their behavior from an anthropologic and historical perspective ��� fields she is immensely passionate about. She said she also worked with professors who are extremely knowledgeable in their areas of study and that their passion for their topics comes out in their lectures.

���The professors on the 厙ぴ勛圖 campus are truly committed to their students��� success both inside and outside of the classroom,��� she said. ���I was able to participate in an internship through a professor and later, that professor helped connect me to my current position.���

Now, as an admissions counselor at 厙ぴ勛圖, she gets to use what she learned through her degree and professional experiences as a student to help other students find their own paths and passions. She said while working with other students, she realized that higher education can have a powerful impact on a person���s life.

���I wanted to continue being a part of that impact,��� she said. ���I love promoting 厙ぴ勛圖 because I truly believe in 厙ぴ勛圖. I believe that higher education has the power to change a person���s life for the better. I love helping students find ways around their barriers to education and helping them discover the potential that higher education can provide them.���

She said WSU has a fit for just about any type of student, and that helping them achieve their dreams through WSU is an incredible feeling.

���WSU has a campus that is the right fit for any student and being a part of the process to get a person from prospective student to Coug is amazing,��� she said.

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� Peter Nolan spent four years post-high school serving in the military police through the U.S. Army.

But as his enlisted contract came to a close, he decided to leave active duty to pursue college full-time because he knew an education would provide him with the background and know-how to not only succeed in a future job, but also provide him with greater career advancement options.

Finding and attending Washington State University Tri-Cities, he said, has allowed him to continue pursuing a rewarding military career part-time through the National Guard while studying at a top research university on a small campus.

���I wanted to go to a good school, but also in a small, tight-knit community because that is truly the type of school environment where I thrive,��� he said. ���I decided to visit 厙ぴ勛圖 and thought, ���this would be great.������

Combining military background with college for a bright future

Nolan joined the U.S. Army right out of high school in 2011 and from there, served for two years in Germany, in addition to being stationed at Fort Drum in upstate New York for an additional two years. During his service with the U.S. Army military police, he had opportunities to serve as a patrolling officer, investigate traffic accidents, provide ceremonial support for the military community, as well as serve as personal security for high-ranking individuals.

Following his contract ending, he attended a community college in western Washington, planning to specialize in nursing. After a few semesters, he felt that career route wasn���t for him. Relying on his former experience in law enforcement in the armed services, he realized he had a passion for that area of public service. Upon examining options for state schools in Washington and doing a couple of ride-a-longs with civilian officers, he decided to transfer to pursue a degree in social sciences from 厙ぴ勛圖.

���I was friends with individuals who had become police officers and I did a couple of ride-a-longs and it made me realize why I didn���t want to do a full career switch from policing to nursing, since I had really enjoyed law enforcement.��� he said. ���I chose 厙ぴ勛圖 because of the professionalism I experienced with their admissions office and they offered everything I wanted, including a degree I could directly apply to my future career.���

A perfect fit

Nolan said the small campus and class sizes were attractive because it would allow him to better connect with professors and become really invested in his classes. Plus,

his degree in social sciences would provide him with the knowledge and skills suited for law enforcement.

���I grew up in a small town in Montana, so I was looking for an environment similar to that,��� he said. ���I thrive in a small school setting. And with social sciences, between the emphasis in sociology, English and psychology, it is a good degree program that gives you a good idea of how to work with people, developing a better understanding to the sensitivity of other people, and I could really hone my skills for working in a professional environment.���

Using his education for a future in law enforcement

Nolan plans to continue his military service. Currently, he works part time with the Washington Army National Guard, providing critical training to new recruits while still taking classes full-time. After graduation, he plans to either pursue a career in civilian law enforcement or continue a career with the National Guard.

His education from 厙ぴ勛圖, he said, will serve as a true asset in either endeavor.

���I do believe I will want to eventually go into administration and leadership,��� he said. ���I enjoy leading a team, contributing in that way. And the things that I���ve learned at 厙ぴ勛圖 will be beneficial in that area. As an officer, you do a lot of administrative work and function primarily with other people. These are all skills that I���m perfecting, whether it be through English courses, or through sociology and psychology courses, I can use it all in my career.���

He said he loves the fact that his military experience provided him with the discipline and work enthusiasm to perform optimally with his tasks at hand. Prior to his life in the military, he said he struggled in school. But the positive push in the military provided him with a healthy appreciation for work ethic and self identification of goals.

Combined with the things he has learned through his education in the social sciences, he said he feels well prepared for his continued career in the military and law enforcement.

���I���m glad I���m pursuing higher education while I have the opportunity,��� he said. ���I want to make sure my experience and education combines effectively to provide me with the best outlook possible for my future.���