November 2025
- Bryce Battisti, Lecturer, Chelan County Extension: Bryce joined WSU Extension in August 2023 as education specialist for the Master Gardener program. Working closely with the program’s Director, he led the development of a new statewide curriculum under the Washington Green School banner, incorporating modern learning theory and accessibility standards. Together, they coordinated five months of training for 1,015 learners and ensured a seamless transition from Canvas to Moodle, creating a more efficient and user-friendly learning experience. Bryce’s efforts have strengthened WSU’s reputation for innovative, accessible education and expanded the reach of the Master Gardener program across Washington and beyond.
- Peter J. Brunke, Lt Col, PhD, USAF, Commander, Air Force ROTC Det 905; Scott Brunson, Captain, Professor of Naval Science, Commanding Officer; Jeramy R. Norland, LTC, AV, Professor of Military Science: All three commanders are dedicated to their chosen branch of the armed service; are dedicated to the mission of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps too develop future leaders for the U.S. Military but most importantly they are dedicated to the students under their charge. Most recently exemplified by the work they have done over the last several weeks to ensure that ROTC students would be held harmless from late fees or fines due to late payments brought on by the federal Government shutdown.
- Harley Clever, Extension Coordinator, Klickitat County Extension: Harley joined the WSU Extension team as the 4-H Program Coordinator in Klickitat County in 2022, shortly before the WSU Klickitat County Extension Director was reassigned, leaving her as the sole WSU representative in the county. Over the last three years, the 4-H program enrollment in Klickitat County has increased 35% from pre-COVID numbers. As the lone WSU person in the Klickitat County office, she represents the WSU system on multiple Boards, and with the Board of County Commissioners. Her diligence and thoughtful approach have helped maintain funding and enthusiastic support for WSU Extension from County officials.
- Whitney Dixon, Finance/Budget Manager, WSU Extension: Whitney has been an invaluable resource for WSU’s Agriculture and Natural Resources unit, overseeing complex financial operations and serving as the Director’s primary advisor. She manages budgeting, auditing, personnel oversight, grant administration, and strategic planning for more than 120 staff and faculty. Whitney’s initiative and reliability have resolved legacy financial issues, improved account accuracy, and strengthened faculty relationships. Her deep policy knowledge and consistent performance have earned trust, leadership roles on CAHNRS committees, and most recently, she stepped in to assist with pre-award grant processing during a staffing shortage—demonstrating adaptability and commitment to organizational success.
- Joelle Edwards, Director of Native American Student Services: Joelle consistently goes above and beyond for Native American students, expanding programs that close financial gaps and provide cultural support. Her hands-on approach ensures students feel valued and supported across the WSU system.
- Diane Garrett, Admissions Specialist, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine: Diane is the consummate hidden professional behind the scenes. Interview days for medical school would not operate without her, and she runs the ship tightly. She is thorough, communicative, reliable, and detail oriented – and never in the spotlight.
- Anya Guy, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy: Anya is leading collaborative efforts to revise key foundational Physics courses to support student success. Those changes have resulted in documented learning gains in Physics 101 while also lowering failure rates in the course to around 10%. In collaboration with VCEA, her current work in Physics 201 includes adjustments to content that balance key competencies in Physics with the incorporation of additional scenario-based learning activities relevant to engineering students.
- Morgan Harp, Faculty Program Specialist, College of Arts and Sciences: Morgan streamlined promotion and tenure processes and trained colleagues across WSU, improving efficiency and consistency university-wide.
- Abby Hayden, DVM student, College of Veterinary Medicine: Abby’s long-term goal after graduation is to return to her hometown of Lynden, Washington, in rural Whatcom County, where there is currently a shortage of food animal veterinarians. A member of the Honors College seven-year pre-admit program, Abby is one of a handful of students in the class of 2026 to earn her undergraduate degree and DVM from WSU in just seven years.
- Vicente Hernandez, Peer Mentor Lead and Program Assistant, Cougs Rise: Vicente exemplifies leadership and innovation in supporting first-generation and low-income students. A Magna Cum Laude graduate with dual degrees, Vicente has studied abroad, led civic engagement initiatives, and contributed to community design projects. Now pursuing a master’s in architecture, he continues to improve program processes, train mentors, and advocate for student success while earning recognition through scholarships and professional conferences.
- Alena Hume, Student Services Coordinator/Advisor, Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture: Alena launched the VCEA Wellness Center, championing student well-being with creativity and energy. Her efforts create a welcoming and supportive environment for all students.
- David Jenson, Interim Chair, Speech and Hearing Sciences: David stepped into the role of interim SHS chair during a pivotal time, guiding the department with integrity and earning the trust of colleagues. His leadership honors the department’s 100-year legacy.
- Kairis Jimenez, Campus Admission & Transition Counselor and Tracey Spencer, Student Services Coordinator/Advisor 2, Orientation & Transition Program: No area at Enrollment Management in Pullman has gone through more turnover, more transition in the last five years than Orientation. This past year was no different. However, both Kairis and Tracey were resilient and able to maintain a high level of energy and effort that allowed Pullman to successfully complete all the Orientation programs for the class entering fall 2025. This team of two is effectively doing the work of twice that number.
- Ken Lokensgard, Co-Director of the Center for Native American Research and Collaboration: Ken is currently the longest-standing employee in Native American Programs, with over 11 years of service. He has served on the IRB review board, assisted numerous faculty and graduate students in Tribally engaged research, taught in the Tribal Nation Building Leadership Program, and continually fills in gaps wherever needed across the WSU system.
- Julie Lusby, Administrative Manager, WSU Extension: Julie joined WSU in 2001 and is well known for her expertise and reliability. Julie has taken on critical roles beyond her position—serving on the Workday Modernization Team, managing County MOAs, mentoring peers, and even covering her former DGSS role while leading CED operations. Her reputation as a trusted resource for finance, grants, and contracting extends across the university, making her an invaluable contributor to WSU.
- Jon Manwaring, Assistant Director, Learning Innovations, Office of the Provost: Jon ensured Spark classroom renovations were completed on time and budget, despite an aggressive timeline. His unwavering commitment to supporting faculty and enhancing student engagement reflects WSU’s dedication to transformative education.
- Sreya Mukherjee, Graduate Student, History: In addition to her studies, Sreya serves as the graduate assistant for the ADVANCE program. This semester Sreya is working on her dissertation research at the British Library in London. Despite the time difference, Sreya has still attended every ADVANCE meeting and provided unparalleled support to the program and our faculty.
- Joshua Neumiller, Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Pharmacotherapy: Joshua recently received the WSU Alumni Achievement Award for his global impact on diabetes care. Over his career, he has advanced patient-centered practices, authored over 130 publications, and mentored future pharmacists, solidifying WSU’s leadership in diabetes education and innovation.
- Cheryl Oliver, Associate Dean for Professional Programs, Carson College of Business: Cheryl leads the college’s online MBA and online Executive MBA programs. Over the last year, she has led her team in a major project to insource program operations and to build out a new set of processes and systems for recruiting and supporting students throughout their MBA journey. In addition, she led our work to launch Carson Pro which is our suite of non-credit, on demand modules and certificates. Either of these projects would be a major undertaking and the fact that Cheryl has managed them both so successfully is a testament to her capabilities and her dedication to WSU. Both programs ensure access to high quality business education wherever a student is located and in whatever stage of their career journey they need it.
- Noushyar Panahpour Eslami, M3 Student, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine: Noushyar has been extremely helpful to the college’s accreditation effort, is a stalwart supporter of the mission of the school, and has spoken to donors during his clerkship experience about his ability to attend medical school being entirely predicated on scholarships. Noushyar is one of the most mission-aligned students we have – he is passionate about WSU, he is serving his home community and wants to continue to do so, and is deeply committed to serving underserved populations, as someone who has lived that experience himself.
- Nick Pappin, Assistant Director for Digital Initiatives, WSU Extension: Nick was hired as a technical expert on a $6M contract with Washington Commerce’s Broadband Office to support the state’s BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) application. His work challenging FCC broadband maps led to a major update, increasing Washington’s BEAD allocation from $950M to $1.35B over five years. Nick later transitioned to a new Broadband role in WSU Extension, where he has driven statewide and national engagement for more than two years. His impact has been so significant that his position is funded by a Legislative proviso for two biennia.
- Hailey Patchett, Undergraduate Student, Microbiology: Hailey was the 2025 recipient of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) Portz Interdisciplinary Fellowship for her research exploring the enduring bond between humans and dogs in the context of the digital age. This is only the second time a WSU student has received this prestigious nationally competitive award.
- Kristine Perry, Interim County Director, Clark County Extension: Kristine has strengthened WSU’s statewide presence through extensive outreach and strategic partnerships. She oversees a Clark County Extension budget of nearly $1.6 M programming, ensuring fiscal accountability while driving impactful community initiatives. Her leadership has resulted in programs that reach tens of thousands annually and collaborations with more than 100 organizations to advance WSU’s land-grant mission. Kristine also plays a key role in WSU Extension’s planning, shaping future organizational structures and resource allocation. Her ability to engage stakeholders at local, regional, and state levels, and deliver measurable impacts makes her a true road warrior for WSU.
- Carolyn Russo, 4-H Extension Coordinator, Grant County Extension: Carolyn has led Grant County’s 4-H Program since 2021, managing one of Washington’s largest programs with 80+ volunteer leaders and hundreds of youth. She revitalized enrollment post-COVID, conducts regular leader trainings to ensure quality and compliance, and coordinates Food Animal Market projects to sustain community support. As State Coordinator for the 4-H International Exchange Program, Carolyn oversees inbound/outbound exchanges and year-long placements. Her commitment to youth leadership through Know Your Government, Teen Conference, and Facilitate the Awesome, along with active service on state committees, has strengthened local engagement and statewide collaboration.
- Beverly Sarles, Master Gardener and 4-H Youth Program Coordinator, Pend Oreille County Extension: Beverly first connected with WSU Extension by starting the first 4-H club on the Kalispel Reservation, serving as a volunteer and archery instructor. In 2014, she became Administrative Assistant and 4-H Agent for Pend Oreille County. Since then, youth enrollment has grown from 64 to 161—a 152% increase—and volunteers from 21 to 36, a 71% increase. Beverly also coordinates volunteers for 4-H and Master Gardener programs and serves as Acting County Tribal Director. Her leadership expands partnerships, strengthens programming, and supports FRTEP initiatives—truly embodying the 4-H motto, “Making the Best Better” every day.
- Amit Sharma, Extension Director, Jefferson County Extension: Amit joined WSU Extension in 2023 and immediately began transforming his team, aligning their workplan with WSU strategic priorities and the strategic plan of the County. Amit now provides technical expertise and support to programs across Extension, has developed a self-assessment framework that allows for assessment by each program, and is recognized as an expert across Extension. Amit has raised his unit’s profile significantly across the northwest region of the state and has worked diligently to create and maintain relationships and foster teamwork and collaboration in his County and across the University.
- Kristi Tippett, Director, WSU ROAR: Kristi has led WSU’s ROAR program for over two years and frequently goes beyond the call of duty to ensure that our students are cared for and supported as they face the challenges that “normal” students would experience in college. Her dedication to fostering independence and self-advocacy exemplifies WSU’s land-grant mission of access and inclusion.
- Jessica Willoughby, Professor, Edward R. Murrow College of Communication: This summer, Jessica received the prestigious Mid-Career Award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. It’s one of the field’s most prestigious honors, and Murrow College is one of only two institutions with four or more recipients.
- Cole Wilson, undergraduate student, Computer Science: Cole exemplifies what it means to combine passion with purpose. Drawn to WSU by scholarships and a welcoming community, Cole has embraced every opportunity to grow—academically and professionally. From excelling in foundational programming courses and Honors College classes to leading student organizations like Palouse RoboSub and Cybersecurity Group, Cole is making a lasting impact on campus.
- Vikram Yadama, Director and Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering: Vikram exemplifies the values of Washington State University and the mission of a land-grant institution through his leadership, scholarship, and service. He oversees a collaborative hub that unites scientists from the VCEA and CAHNRS. Vikram also actively partners with private industry to translate cutting-edge research into practical innovations, delivering real-world solutions that strengthen communities and the economy. He provides exceptional guidance to junior faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates, fostering the next generation of faculty, scientists, and engineers. His commitment to collaboration, innovation, and mentorship continues to advance WSU’s mission and global impact.