By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� Washington State University Tri-Cities recognized five female leaders as Women of Distinction for their contributions to the campus and regional Tri-Cities community as part of a ceremony that was held virtually this month.

These individuals exhibit exceptional leadership in their discipline or area of expertise, serve as role models and mentors to other women, advocate for positive social change and demonstrate a commitment to the missions of 厙ぴ勛圖.

���Each year, we receive so many incredible nominations for female leaders that have made tremendous impacts on their regional community, as well as for 厙ぴ勛圖 students and the campus,��� said Jaime Heppler, 厙ぴ勛圖 senior director of development and chair of the 厙ぴ勛圖 Women of Distinction committee. ���This year, we were thrilled to honor five individuals whose leadership transcends their day-to-day work. These are difference-makers in every sense of the word.���

For more information about the 厙ぴ勛圖 Women of Distinction program, visit tricities.wsu.edu/women-of-distinction.

Sandra Haynes | Chancellor of 厙ぴ勛圖
Woman of Distinction Legacy Award

Sandra Haynes泭is the泭seventh泭chancellor of 厙ぴ勛圖泭and泭brings泭more than泭20 years of successful, high-level administrative experience, stemming from leadership泭at both a doctoral granting university泭with泭very high research activities (R1)泭and a泭regional comprehensive institution泭offering bachelor���s泭and master���s泭degrees. She holds a faculty appointment as professor in the department of psychology.泭As泭a first-generation student,泭she泭recognizes the transformative power of higher education and its ability to be a true equalizer for individuals, regardless of life circumstance.泭As part of her three years at 厙ぴ勛圖, she oversaw the opening of the campus MOSAIC Center for Student Inclusion and is actively overseeing the construction of the new 厙ぴ勛圖 academic building that opens this June and renovation of the campus library to become a learning commons featuring a wide range of student support services.

 

 

Lindsay Lightner | Education Ph.D. student, coordinator for 厙ぴ勛圖 College of Education
Woman of Distinction

Through her position as a coordinator for the 厙ぴ勛圖 College of Education, Lindsay Lightner helps school districts alleviate teacher shortages in hard-to-staff subjects,泭such as special education and bilingual education, by helping paraprofessionals become certified teachers.泭She advises paraprofessionals in an alternative route program through 厙ぴ勛圖 and coordinates a National Science Foundation grant regarding socio-environmental science investigations in-partnership with K-12 schools in the region.泭In her free time, she works with Girl Scouts, volunteers for K-12 robotics, serves as part of the library board and many other opportunities. She is known as an upstanding educator that is dedicated to sharing her love of learning and exploring.泭Lindsay is also a doctoral student in mathematics and science education at 厙ぴ勛圖.

 

 

Janet Peters | 厙ぴ勛圖 scholarly associate professor of psychology and director of instructional excellence and innovation
Woman of Distinction

Janet Peters serves as a scholarly associate professor of psychology and director of instructional excellence and innovation at 厙ぴ勛圖. She is continuously recognized for utilizing innovative and engaging teaching strategies in the classroom and often goes above and beyond to ensure her students��� success. She actively incorporates service learning into her classroom environment where students craft real-world solutions to regional issues in partnership with nonprofit organizations. In research, she focuses on student, employee and faculty engagement, innovative instruction and high-engagement pedagogy, student leadership development and student attitudes toward statistics. She also provides professional development in innovative teaching and classroom tools for her fellow 厙ぴ勛圖 faculty. In addition to the 厙ぴ勛圖 Women of Distinction award, Peters has been published and recognized as a WSU Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient, LIFT Faculty Fellow, AVID instructor and as a Center for Civic Engagement Faculty Fellow, to name a few.

 

Gabriela Ramirez | 厙ぴ勛圖 psychology alumna, Spanish teacher at Tri-Cities Prep
Woman of Distinction

Gabriela Ramirez is a graduate of the psychology program at 厙ぴ勛圖 and currently serves as a Spanish teacher at Tri-Cities Prep Catholic High School. As a 厙ぴ勛圖 student, she was active in bringing her Latino culture to the forefront, serving through the MEChA and the Dreamers��� Club, which advocates for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students regionally. Through her role as a teacher, she continues to raise awareness about various cultures and communities. She brings innovative strategies into the virtual environment as part of her courses, using videos and other virtual experiences to connect the Spanish language to the real-world environment. She also learned from a young age that her greatest passion in life is dance. In 2017, Gabriela and a friend started their own dance organization, Ballet Folkl籀rico ���Cielo de M矇xico.��� Their mission is to keep Mexican traditions alive through dance and bring people from the community closer together. The group has since grown to 40 individuals.

 

Mikaela Thepvongsa | 厙ぴ勛圖 nursing student, WSU Pullman psychology alumna
Woman of Distinction

Mikaela Thepvongsa is currently pursuing a bachelor���s of science in nursing from 厙ぴ勛圖 after earning a bachelor���s in psychology from WSU Pullman. In addition to taking on a rigorous course of study, she serves as president of Crimson Scrubs, the nursing student service organization, and with the Disabled Students and Allies Club of 厙ぴ勛圖, where she is the liaison officer to the WSU system from 厙ぴ勛圖. Additionally, Thepvongsa serves as a WWAMI Area Health Education Center scholar. In this role, she works in an interprofessional capacity to assist with health literacy and language and engages in additional classes and volunteer work. As a deaf student, Mikaela uses her own experiences to continually advocate for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, she has served at hospitals, Safe Harbor���s My Friend’s Place, food banks and churches. In 2019, she participated in a service trip to Mexico with Loma Linda University graduates to help at a dental clinic in poverty-stricken areas.

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� Individuals are encouraged to submit nominations for the Washington State University Tri-Cities Women of Distinction Awards by Feb. 4, which recognizes campus or community members who have made notable contributions to the campus through service, teaching or involvement.

The award is presented to four distinguished individuals each year, which meet some or all of the following criteria:

• Exhibits leadership in her discipline or area of expertise
• Serves as a role model and/or mentors to other women
• Advocates for positive social change that helps close the leadership gap and create a more equitable society
• Demonstrates a commitment to the missions of 厙ぴ勛圖
• Demonstrates a commitment to social justice and inclusion
• Has earned respect within their communities
• Supports policies, practices, attitudes, and/or actions that are intended to produce equitable outcomes for all
• Gives back to the community through their time, talent, and/or resources

���This is a great opportunity to honor distinguished woman leaders and mentors who have made a meaningful impact on the campus and regional Tri-Cities community,��� said Jaime Heppler, 厙ぴ勛圖 senior director of development. ���With the hardships that have ensued within the last year, this is a fantastic opportunity to pay tribute to those who have gone above and beyond.���

To submit a nomination and for more information, visit tricities.wsu.edu/women-of-distinction.

厙ぴ勛圖 will host a virtual award ceremony that takes place from 5 p.m. ��� 6 p.m. Thursday, March 11, at to honor the selected individuals, as well as those nominated for the award.

This year, the 厙ぴ勛圖 Women of Distinction Committee is also raising funds to start a new Women of Distinction Scholarship that will benefit future students. Individuals can pledge a donation amount within the Women of Distinction nomination form.

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. – Three individuals were honored this year as 2019 厙ぴ勛圖 Women of Distinction for their notable contributions to the campus and community through service, teaching and/or involvement.

The 2019泭厙ぴ勛圖泭Women of Distinction recipients were recognized this fall as part of a ceremony at the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center.

A huge congratulations goes out to these fantastic individuals who have given greatly to 厙ぴ勛圖, its students and their community!

Tanya Cheeke ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 assistant professor of biological sciences

Tanya Cheeke is an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at泭厙ぴ勛圖泭where she studies using symbiotic fungi to help native plants get re-established in disturbed landscapes. Her work has the capacity to repopulate native plant environments, especially after incidents of natural disasters such as wildfires. Tanya is the recipient of thousands of dollars in research grants and formerly was honored as a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, Carl Tryggers Postdoctoral Fellow, Environmental Protection Agency Science to Achieve Results Fellow, as well as a visiting scholar at Indiana University. In addition to her research, Tanya works extensively to mentor students in the biological sciences program. She mentors students who were selected for the Chancellor���s Summer Scholars Program, in addition to regularly mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in her lab throughout the school year.

Bernadette “Bernie” Gagnier ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 wine science student

Bernie currently studies integrated plant sciences with an emphasis in viticulture and enology at泭厙ぴ勛圖泭where she plans to graduate May 2020. She served for nearly five years in the泭 Marine Corps. As a student veteran at 厙ぴ勛圖, Bernie led the effort in partnering with泭Bombing Range Brewing Company泭to initiate a partnership with the Patriots��� Club and Veterans Center at 厙ぴ勛圖 to provide hands-on opportunities for student veterans in beermaking, which also led to the organization donating more than $2,000 back to student veteran-related services. She serves as a tasting room attendant and participates in local events and limited production at泭Kiona Vineyards and Winery. Additionally, she works at the WSU Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser, where she works with associate professor Michelle Moyer on nematicide efficacy evaluation, nematode management and rootstock evaluations as it pertains to wine grapes and vineyards.

Dashia Hopp ��� Co-owner of Bombing Range Brewing Company

Dashia and her husband started泭Bombing Range Brewing Company泭in 2017, paying tribute to the Hanford Site and those who have served in the Armed Forces. Shortly afterward, they were approached by the 厙ぴ勛圖泭Patriots’ Club泭and Veterans Center, asking if they would like to partner with the organizations for a unique opportunity that would allow student veterans to partake in the beer brewing process, but also as a means to give back to student veterans. The effort has led to the release of two “GIPA” beers that sold out within the first two weeks of release, a visit from former U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and the donation of more than $2,000 to support student veterans at 厙ぴ勛圖. A few months ago, she and her husband opened a restaurant called ���The Dive Restaurant and Bar��� in Richland near their Bombing Range Brewing Company location. She and her husband also earned the ���2017 Entrepreneur of the Year��� award through the Richland Rotary Club, and were nominated this month for the ���Excellence in Customer Service Award��� by Visit泭Tri-Cities.

For more information about the 厙ぴ勛圖 Women of Distinction program, visit tricities.wsu.edu/women-of-distinction.

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� Washington State University Tri-Cities will honor 12 individuals as part of its 2018 Women of Distinction class during a gallery exhibition opening and reception at 4 p.m. on April 20 in the Consolidated Information Center Art Gallery on campus.

The 厙ぴ勛圖 Women of Distinction program recognizes female students, staff, faculty, alumnae and community members who have made notable contributions to the campus and their community through service, teaching or involvement.

���It is our honor and privilege to recognize exceptional female leaders, mentors and overall professionals that have given back to the university and their communities,��� said Chris Meiers, 厙ぴ勛圖 vice chancellor of student affairs. ���These are individuals who have improved access to educational opportunities, created pathways for others to be successful and generally provided incredible support to the next generation of leaders.���

Those being honored as the 厙ぴ勛圖 2018 Women of Distinction class include:

• LoAnn Ayers ��� United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties president and CEO
• Eadie Balint ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 professional development and community education coordinator
• Diahann Howard ��� Port of Benton director of economic development and governmental affairs and Tri-Cities Research District executive director
• Savanna Kresse ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 junior studying history and pre-law
• Kate McAteer ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 assistant vice chancellor of academic affairs
• Mysti Meiers ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 senior academic advisor
• Judy Morrison ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 academic director for the College of Education and associate professor of education
• Maegan Murray ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 public relations/communication coordinator
• Sarah Newcomer ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 assistant professor of education
• Darlene Scrivner ��� Columbia Basin College special assistant to the president
• Karen Sinclair ��� Mission Support Alliance project manager
• Dani Young ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 junior studying civil engineering

After the ceremony on April 20, all photos and biographies of the award recipients will be on display in the East Building hallway next to The Bookie, 厙ぴ勛圖��� student bookstore.

The honorees will also be highlighted on the 厙ぴ勛圖 Women of Distinction website at /women-of-distinction/.

 

Contact:

Danielle Kleist, 厙ぴ勛圖 specialist assistant to the vice chancellor for student affairs, 509-372-7104, danielle.kleist@wsu.edu

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� Individuals are encouraged to nominate distinguished female students, staff, faculty members, alumnae or community members who have made notable contributions to the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus through service, teaching or involvement.

The deadline to nominate for 厙ぴ勛圖��� Women of Distinction program is March 26. Individuals should submit their nominations at /women-of-distinction/.

���We have incredible female leaders and mentors here at 厙ぴ勛圖 and in the community that both move the university forward and make our region, state and nation a better place,��� he said. ���I���m excited to welcome nominations for our next class of talented and distinguished female individuals who continue to set an incredible example in our community.���

The selection committee welcomes nominations of women who meet some or all of the following criteria:

• Exhibits leadership in her discipline or area泭of expertise
• Serves as role models and/or mentors to other women
• Advocates for positive social change that helps close the leadership gap and create a more equitable society
• Demonstrates a commitment to the missions of 厙ぴ勛圖
• Demonstrates a commitment to social justice and inclusion
• Has earned respect within their communities
• Supports policies, practices, attitudes, and/or actions that are intended to produce equitable outcomes for all
• Gives back to the community through their time, talent, and/or resources

The honorees will be recognized at a photo exhibition and opening reception at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2018, in the CIC Art Gallery.

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� Washington State University Tri-Cities is now accepting nominations of notable and exceptional women from the university and Tri-Cities community as part of its new Women of Distinction program.

The program recognizes 厙ぴ勛圖 women, students, staff, faculty, alumnae and relevant community members who have made notable contributions to the campus and community through service, teaching or involvement. Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 15.

���We wanted to incorporate a program to honor the exceptional women of 厙ぴ勛圖 and Tri-Cities community and their various contributions to the mid-Columbia region,��� said Chris Meiers, 厙ぴ勛圖 vice chancellor for enrollment management and student services. ���These women set a strong example for other individuals in our community for what is possible through leadership, hard work and perseverance.���

The selected honorees will be unveiled from 4 p.m. ��� 6 p.m. March 2 during a photo exhibition opening at the 厙ぴ勛圖 Art Gallery in conjunction with women���s history month.

To nominate a woman for 厙ぴ勛圖��� Women of Distinction program and for more information about the criteria for submission, visit /women-of-distinction.

For any additional questions, contact Darlene Scrivner at 509-372-7358 or d.scrivner@tricity.wsu.edu.

 

Contacts:

Chris Meiers, 厙ぴ勛圖 vice chancellor for enrollment management and student services, 509-372-7381, chris.meiers@tricity.wsu.edu

Darlene Scrivner, 厙ぴ勛圖 executive assistant for the vice chancellor of enrollment management and student services, 509-372-7358, d.scrivner@tricity.wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖 public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, maegan.murray@tricity.wsu.edu