Provost’s Featured Faculty Member Recognition

Melissa Jenkins, an assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences on the WSU Vancouver campus, shares: “Teaching at WSU Vancouver means guiding students in applying psychology through undergraduate research, workforce preparation, and community-engaged projects. I value helping students connect what they learn to real organizations and career paths, building both confidence and skills that prepare them to contribute meaningfully in their professions and communities.”

Christina Sanders, Director for the Division of Governmental Studies for WSU Extension, shares: “I love my work in Extension because it allows me to engage with partners across the state to provide research and programming that impacts families and communities every day. Including students in that work adds value to everything we do and provides a unique opportunity to apply what they’ve learned to on the ground challenges.”

Will Gregg, Manuscripts Librarian in the Libraries on the WSU Pullman campus, shares: “As a faculty librarian in WSU’s Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections department, I provide access to WSU’s archival and rare book collections. I strive to work with the WSU community and beyond to collect items of lasting historical importance and to preserve these rare collections for our academic community, the public and future generations.”

Eugene Smelyansky, assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, teaches the history of pre-modern Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as The Roots of Contemporary Issues. Dr. Smelyansky loves sharing his passion for history with students on both the Pullman and Global campuses. He particularly enjoys teaching History 105 classes and exploring how past events continue to shape our lives in the present.

April Davis, a clinical associate professor in the College of Medicine and program director of graduate dietetics on the WSU Spokane campus, draws upon her extensive nutrition and exercise physiology background to mentor aspiring dietitians while fostering their professional growth. April teaches graduate coursework in community dietetics and her research engagement surrounds interprofessional education, nutrition interventions for substance use disorder, and integrative medicine.

Alana Pulay, an associate professor in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture shares, “Teaching at WSU provides the opportunity to guide students in transforming theory into practice through creative and critical problem-solving. My research on physical learning spaces advances best practices in educational design strategies, benefiting both students and the broader community.”

Kraig Jones, a Teaching Associate Professor in the Carson College of Business on the WSU Tri-Cities campus, shares, “Teaching at WSU provides me with the opportunity to make an impact on my students and help them obtain the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their career goals and dreams.  It is rewarding to hear from my former students and find out what they have accomplished using their education from WSU.”

Porismita Borah, a Professor in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication on the WSU Pullman campus, shares, “Teaching at WSU is about sparking curiosity, shaping minds, and guiding students to find their own voice. To me, it means creating an environment where students feel challenged but also supported, where they see learning as an opportunity to grow. The most meaningful part is seeing students transform their learning into skills that shape their future.”

Ryan Driskell, Associate Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine on the WSU Pullman campus, leads a lab focused on cutting-edge discoveries in skin healing and regeneration, with the goal of restoring human skin without scarring. His teaching is anchored in EschLEAD, a new undergraduate research program that combines hands-on research with professional development and career mentorship. The program was co-founded with four faculty colleagues and supported by alumni Bob and Kate Esch.