RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington State University Tri-Cities launches a new “Student Engagement Hub” beginning this Thursday that provides students and community members with a central place on-campus to access voting and election information.

Through the non-partisan hub, individuals can check their voter registration, register to vote, print their ballot and election information booklet, access a private location to fill-out their ballot, and cast their ballot at the on-campus ballot drop-box located adjacent to the parking lot outside of the Consolidated Information Center (CIC) building.

The hub is hosted by the Associated Students of ���سԹ� in partnership with the Benton County Auditor’s Office.

The Student Engagement Hub will be open for the following hours on-campus in CIC 120:

• Thursday, Oct. 29 – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 30 – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 31 – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 2 – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3 – 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

“The Student Engagement HUB is an excellent election resource for students and community members,” ASWSUTC President Robin Kovis said. “This year, like every year, we are encouraging maximum participation in the American democratic process.”

The ���سԹ� Student Engagement Hub will adhere to local and state requirements as it pertains to COVID-19 and in conducting election engagement in a non-partisan fashion.

All students who come to the ���سԹ� Student Engagement Hub will also receive a free swag item when they visit.

“Even if you’ve already voted, we welcome students to visit the hub to grab a swag item, meet your student government representatives, voice your concerns and hear about the work that ASWSUTC has done and is continuing to do this academic year,” Kovis said.

ASWSUTC Vice President Stephanie Warner said she encourages all students to take part in the student engagement hub.

“It is very important that our students’ and our community’s voices are heard,” she said. “It is open to the public, so bring your friends with you and vote.”

Important voting deadlines are available on the Washington Secretary of State elections website at . Election day is Nov. 3.

 

Media contacts:

Robin Kovis, president of the Associated Students of ���سԹ�, 509-380-1488 (cell), robin.kovis@wsu.edu

Stephanie Warner, vice president of the Associated Students of ���سԹ�, stephanie.warner@wsu.edu

Chris Meiers, ���سԹ� vice chancellor for student affairs and deputy Title IX officer, 913-449-9766 (cell), chris.meiers@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, ���سԹ� assistant director of marketing and communication, 619-403-3617 (cell), maegan_murray@wsu.edu

By Maegan Murray, ���سԹ�

RICHLAND, Wash. – student Savanna Navarro Kresse was honored this month with a national award for her work in increasing student democratic engagement on campus and in the regional Tri-Cities community.

Kresse earned an “Honor Role” award through the program, where she was invited to be honored in Washington, D.C. She was selected as one of 10 students for the category, which specifically recognizes student leadership in helping college students to improve nonpartisan civic learning, political engagement and voter participation.

Kresse, vice president for the Associated Students of ���سԹ� and a senior history major, was instrumental in bringing a ballot drop box to campus in partnership with the . She has also led a series of events geared toward getting students registered to vote, in addition to partnering with her fellow student government peers to hold voting celebration days on campus.

She worked with Bob Ferguson’s office to host a presentation on DACA and immigration regulations last academic year. She helped organize a city council debate prior to the mid-term election last year. She also brought the Association of Women Voters to campus for an event pertaining to voter registration.

Kresse is active in discussions about the Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which prevents discrimination based on sex in educational programs. She previously represented the Washington Student Association on a state-wide taskforce on the federal legislation civil rights law. She also completed a political science project, examining the law, as well as how to better handle issues pertaining to discrimination, which she presented at the ���سԹ� Undergraduate Research Symposium and Art Exhibition.

Kresse is passionate about providing access to civil discussions and participation, and additionally has worked with her student peers to organize female mentor panels to shed light on women’s issues in the workplace, organized initiatives to increase student access to food in light of food insecurity on college campuses, and more.

Earlier this year, Kresse was honored with WSU’s MLK Distinguished Service Award for her commitment in educating others about human rights, social justice and for putting her own foot forward to make a difference in her local community.

Chris Meiers, Vice Chancellor for student affairs, said Kresse continually takes a leadership role in making sure all students have the access and resources they need to be successful, and is a champion for student and individual success.

“Her leadership and passion for providing access in positive change is evident to everyone around her,” he said. “We are incredibly proud of the work she continues to display at ���سԹ� and her local community. She is an inspiration to her fellow students and has created many lasting legacies at ���سԹ�.”

Kresse said she wasn’t expecting the honor or knew that she was even nominated for the award, initially. When asked why she gives back to her community, she said that she is grateful for the opportunity to serve her fellow students.

“Often times we tend to think that the system is too big, and we are too small,” she said. “But when we recognize our ability to make positive change through relationship building and a spirit of willingness, nothing can hold us back.”

Kresse is a first-generation student, mother four and a former seasonal field worker. She continually uses her background as inspiration for overcoming barriers for education where she aims to grow resources available to those from all backgrounds.

 

Media contacts:

Savanna Kresse, ���سԹ� senior undergraduate history major and vice president of ASWSUTC, savanna.kresse@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, ���سԹ� public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu