February 2026
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Dear colleagues,
Thank you to those who were able to join us at President Cantwell’s first system forum yesterday. During the forum, Lisa Guerrero, Kara Whitman, and Erika Offerdahl joined me to share updates on three critical initiatives: our engagement with the National Institute for Student Success, ongoing general education reform, and our partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to offer faculty a certificate in effective teaching at no charge to WSU.
The response to the ACUE program has been especially encouraging. WSU was the only participating institution to fill all 90 of the originally allotted slots, AND we also filled the additional 45 slots generously made available by ACUE. This cohort includes faculty from every college and campus across the WSU system. This level of engagement speaks to our faculty’s commitment to excellence in teaching and to continually strengthening the student experience throughout the WSU System. For your significant engagement, I want to say thank you!
In the spirit of positive momentum, I am pleased to share that our office launched a new website this week. My sincere thanks to Daniel Rieck and Hailey James for their leadership on this project. The site looks incredible, has much more intuitive navigation, and more fully reflects our priorities and commitment to fulfilling our land-grant mission.
In November’s Provost Perspective we introduced “Cougar Kudos,” an opportunity to recognize students, faculty, and staff who go above and beyond in support of WSU. The response was overwhelming, and I am pleased to continue this feature in each newsletter. The following individuals were nominated by leaders in our colleges and reporting units for their contributions to WSU and our communities. Please visit the Cougar Kudos webpage to read more about each of these individuals/groups and their contributions.
- College of Veterinary Medicine team: clinicians Matt Mason and Lexi Botting; technician Becky Brodie; veterinary assistant Shorty Berger; VTH Patient Services’ Chloe Salkield; and Class of 2026 students Julia Al‑Maksosi, Noah Cantor, Peyton Curtis, Jackie Lovecchio, Shelby Oviatt, and Hannah Thom
- Undergraduates Patrick Bekono and Gabe Heinrichs
- Peng He, Tingting Li, Don McMahon, and Jonah Firestone, CESHS
- Undergraduates Wyatt Blaszak and Heather Taylor, School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs
- Kristi Axtel, 4-H Program Specialist 2 and Michelle Green, 4-H State Program Manager
- Vivienne Baldassare, Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Caitie Blethen, Interim San Juan County Director and Master Gardener Coordinator
- Lisa Blumenshein, Area Finance Officer, Student Affairs
- Lindsey du Toit, Department Chair, Plant Pathology and Alfred Christianson Distinguished Professor of Vegetable Seed Pathology & Extension Plant Pathologist, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC
- Alanna Ellis, Executive Manager for College Administration, CESHS
- Francely Flores, graduate student, Plant Pathology
- Jamie Garlinghouse, Employer Development Manager, Carson Center for Career Success
- Olivia Grose, undergraduate, Hospitality Business Management
- Jacki Hudec, Academic Operations Manager, Office of Educational Affairs, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
- Jordan Jackson, Academic Coordinator, CESHS Vancouver and Educational Leadership Statewide Programs
- Paula Kimmerling, Coordinator, Outdoor Adventures
- Martin Maquivar, Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, CAHNRS
- Debra Marsh, Graduate Academic Coordinator for the CAHNRS Graduate Center
- Keri McCarthy, Professor and Director, School of Music
- Katherine McCloskey, Extension Coordinator, Spokane County Extension
- Kathleen McDonnell, Assistant to the Dean, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Corrie McGrath, Academic Coordinator, Sport Management, CESHS
- Alaina McCully, Animal Sciences Administrative Manager, CAHNRS
- Erin McKee, Educational Leadership, Superintendent Certification Program
- Nehemiah Mejia, undergraduate, Sport Management
- Carol Miles, Professor of Vegetable Horticulture, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC
- Jose Perez-Olmos, undergraduate, Horticulture
- Laura Pires Gifford, graduate student, Educational Psychology and Methodology
- Robin Scarlett, 4-H Program Administrative Manager
- Mary Steele, graduate student, Plant Pathology
- Erin Thornton, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology
- Tiara Vasquez, undergraduate, Psychology and Criminology
- Zami Wilson, Senior HR Strategic Partner, Human Resource Services
- Josue Zuniga, Coordinator, Student Engagement Services
Finally, I would like to close with a note of gratitude for Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Dean Jim Record. As many of you know, Dr. Record has shared his intention to return to the faculty. His accomplishments as dean are many, including securing full accreditation and expanding residency programs, but what I will miss most is his thoughtful leadership, innovative approach to medical education, and deep commitment to partnership. He leaves big shoes to fill, and I am grateful that he will continue to serve as dean during this transition and as a trusted advisor as we launch a national search for his successor.
Best regards,
Chris
T. Chris Riley-Tillman
Provost and Executive Vice President
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SHOWCASE HIGHLIGHTS
Showcase Week is March 23-27
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Abstract submissions break records at SURCA, Academic Showcase, and the GPSA Research Expo
SURCA, Academic Showcase, and the GPSA Research Expo received record-breaking numbers of abstract submissions this year, highlighting the incredible breadth of research and creative activity across the WSU system. We encourage you to attend both events to experience this work firsthand and connect directly with the students, faculty, and staff behind these projects. With this surge in participation, we also need additional judges—learn more about this opportunity and sign up on the SURCA website.
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STUDENT SUCCESS HIGHLIGHTS
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WSU pharmacy graduates lead the Pacific Northwest with top licensure pass rates
Washington State University’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences achieved a major milestone with statewide and regional impact. The Class of 2025 earned a 92.5% first time pass rate on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), surpassing the national average of 86.8%. These results rank WSU #1 among pharmacy schools in the Pacific Northwest and #3 among public pharmacy schools on the West Coast, underscoring WSU’s leadership in pharmacy education and workforce development.
Going the distance to bring veterinary care to a Pacific island
Through the Saipan Humane Society, co-founder and WSU veterinary student Lauren Cabrera has helped build a collaborative care model that integrates telemedicine, visiting volunteer veterinarians, and locally trained staff to meet community needs despite limited resources. Strategic support from partners such as the Banfield Foundation—providing funding, supplies, and volunteer clinicians—has been essential to sustaining services while Cabrera completes her training, demonstrating how collaboration, shared expertise, and long term workforce development can create sustainable solutions to complex service gaps.
SBS graduate student wins presentation award at national conference
Caroline Terry, fifth-year PhD candidate in the School of Biological Sciences, recently won the Best Student Presentation, Division of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, at the 2026 Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting in Portland, OR.
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WSU Libraries opens new synth lab
WSU Libraries opened a new synth lab for students, faculty, and staff interested in electronic music production. A free, self‐serve library resource that anyone can book, the Synth Lab can be reserved for four‐hour sessions. Patrons are not limited to or prioritized by being affiliated with a department or group.
Spring Career Expo connects students and employers
The WSU Spring Career Expo was a success, bringing together 126 employers and 900 students for a day of meaningful connection, networking, and career exploration. In addition to the Career Expo, college-specific networking events hosted by the CCB, CAHNRS, and VCEA further strengthened these connections, culminating in a university-wide total of 149 unique employers and more than 1,200 student participants. This collaborative, university-wide effort reflects our shared commitment to supporting both our students’ professional growth and our employers’ hiring needs.
SBS grad student serves as SME for story on grizzly collars
School of Biological Sciences doctoral candidate Ellery Vincent was interviewed by the Associated Press about capturing footage from grizzly bear collar cameras on Alaska’s North Slope. Read the article from Mark Thiessen, Associated Press.
TRIO SSS programs continue to shine at WSU
The Office of Academic Engagement has submitted its 2024–25 Annual Performance Reports for three U.S. Department of Education TRIO Student Support Services programs—Teacher Prep SSS, STEM SSS, and Veterans SSS—serving first generation, low income students and students with disabilities. The programs exceeded federal benchmarks, achieving an average 88% persistence rate, 90% of participants in good academic standing, and a 71% six year degree completion rate. Through targeted advising, mentoring, undergraduate research, and career preparation, TRIO programs deliver holistic support that helps students overcome barriers, complete degrees, and achieve strong post college outcomes while strengthening belonging and institutional integration across the university. Join TRIO programs across WSU in celebration of TRIO day this week!
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COLLEGE, UNIT, AND COLLEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS
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WSU pharmacy faculty to deliver nationwide telehealth care through collaboration with Praventa Health
WSU pharmacy faculty are bringing their expertise to Medicare patients across the country through a new collaboration with Praventa Health. More than a dozen faculty members from the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will serve in Praventa Health’s telehealth platform, providing counseling and comprehensive medication management for patients who often struggle to access consistent health care.
Europa study advances understanding of subsurface oceans
A recent study by geophysicist Catherine Cooper (School of the Environment) and collaborator Austin Green (Virginia Tech) offers new insight into how nutrients may reach the subsurface ocean of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons and a leading candidate in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Carson online programs rank among the nation’s best
Carson online programs offered through Global Campus continue to elevate WSU in 2026 national US News & World Report rankings, with the online undergraduate business program ranking at No. 15, the online MBA ranking at No. 33, and the online MBA for veterans ranking at No. 25.
Faculty and staff recognition and appointments
- Robert Crossler is the senior associate dean for academic affairs in CCB and will lead undergraduate program administration and the college in integrating AI into student learning outcomes.
- Nichole Goodwin, associate director for housing operations and conference services, has been recognized for outstanding service in housing operations by the Northwest Association of College and University Housing Officers.
- Dogan Gursoy received the 2026 Founder’s Award at the 31st Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism at Auburn University. The award recognizes an outstanding scholar in hospitality and tourism for significant contributions to research, scholarship, and graduate education.
- Patrick Johnson was named as the new director of the Center for Professional Sales in CCB. He leads the center in preparing students with communication, relationship-building, industry connection, and applied business skills necessary for sales careers.
- Michael Neff has been named the Washington Turfgrass Seed Commission Professor, supporting high‑impact turfgrass research.
- Leah Sheppard is the associate dean for strategic initiatives and college culture in CCB and will facilitate Carson strategic planning processes and initiatives related to culture, access, and opportunity within the college.
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WSU Health launches Logan Family Clinic
WSU Health is excited to announce the opening of the Logan Family Clinic, a community-based primary care clinic within Logan Elementary School in Spokane. Opening March 2 in partnership with Spokane Public Schools, the clinic will support children and families in the Logan community and beyond while also creating new interprofessional training opportunities for WSU Nursing students. The new Logan Family Clinic joins several other existing WSU Health clinics operated from the Spokane campus offering primary care, speech-language pathology, and student health services. It marks WSU’s first community-based health clinic operated and staffed by WSU faculty clinicians.
Building trust in Indigenous health research
Indigenous faculty and staff at IREACH from the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Paul G. Allen School for Global Health are partnering with the University of Washington Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center to build trust with American Indian and Alaska Native communities. This work was recently featured on PBS NewsHour.
Alternate pathway identified for inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis
New research led by WSU has identified a previously unknown “back door” inflammatory pathway that may explain why TNF inhibitor drugs fail to help up to 40% of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Published in Cellular & Molecular Immunology, the findings open new possibilities for improving treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
New Indigenous-focused horticulturist brings traditional knowledge to light
As WSU’s new Indigenous-focused horticulturist, Jeffrey Wall has begun exploring how traditional practices from the state’s first peoples can help nourish societies and repair the environment. Wall moved to Washington to begin his work at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center on Jan. 1.
Carson Pro launches flexible professional certificates
The Carson College of Business has launched Carson Pro, a new lifelong learning initiative offering flexible, noncredit certificate programs designed to help working professionals quickly build in-demand skills and help employers develop talent from within. “We are bringing to market what our learners are asking for at specific moments in their professional lives,” says Cheryl Oliver, associate dean for professional programs.
$650K grant funds new food coatings to save energy, prevent waste
Through a new $650,000 grant from the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture, Kang Huang, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, launched new research this month on sustainable coatings to reduce spoilage and extend food’s shelf life. Kang is developing a coating derived from plant-based byproducts that can attach and function on a wide range of food and packaging surfaces, making for a more resilient food supply chain.
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Applications open for faculty teaching grants and awards
WSU invites applications and nominations from eligible faculty whose scholarly and instructional contributions exemplify the university’s commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, and undergraduate education.
Major expansion of Cambridge University Press access
WSU Libraries recently announced a major expansion in their Cambridge University Press holdings beginning this year. The libraries will increase their Cambridge University Press journal subscriptions from 10 titles in 2025 to more than 420 titles, dramatically enhancing access to high-quality research for faculty and students across disciplines. Cambridge University Press publishes more than 420 peer-reviewed academic journals spanning humanities, social sciences, and science, technology, and medicine. The new agreement ensures that WSU researchers will have comprehensive access to this world-class content.
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Libraries’ strategic partnerships secure the future of WSU Press
After welcoming the WSU Press into Holland and Terrell Libraries in 2024, WSU Libraries applied innovative thinking and cross unit collaboration to stabilize and strengthen the nearly 100 year old press by integrating order fulfillment, financial oversight, and space into existing library operations. Strategic partnerships—most notably with nonprofit distributor Longleaf—modernized distribution and inventory management, while new initiatives like an in library bookshop and author events expanded visibility and community engagement, positioning the press for a sustainable future aligned with the university’s land-grant mission.
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