OFFICE OF ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT Explore Our Programs
We are WSU’s home for grant and donor-supported projects dedicated to student success and engagement in our academic community. Our student service projects range from advising, counseling and mentoring to direct financial support and access to resources. We work to build these programs because we believe that all Cougs—regardless of finances or being the first in their family to attend college or any other reasons standing in their way—should have the opportunity to participate in the life-changing experiences here.
OAE’s projects are the collective effort of staff, students and faculty doing this work because we truly believe in the transformative nature of the WSU experience, and are committed to an inclusive campus community that allows individuals to discover their place, passions, and purpose.
ATLAS
The Aspiring Teacher Leadership and Success (ATLAS) program is a collaborative effort between the Office of Academic Engagement and the College of Education and is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. ATLAS was founded in 2015 to support the success of underrepresented students at WSU who are aspiring to become teachers. Participants receive integrative advising that combines academic, financial, and career guidance, as well as support to engage in high impact experiences, such as learning communities, mentoring, and internships. Since its inception, ATLAS has exceeded its objectives; students—all of whom are low-income and/or first-generation—persist at a greater rate, are in better academic standing, and graduate in higher numbers. Just as importantly, students emerge from their involvement with ATLAS as leaders who are well prepared to make a difference in a crucial and worthwhile career.
Cougs Rise
Funded in 2017 by grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Cougs Rise is at the forefront of educational innovation. The program serves low-income and first-generation college students from five high schools in the state of Washington, making their aspirations of a post-secondary education a reality. Through mentoring with current WSU undergraduates who come from similar backgrounds, future scholars get access to resources aimed at providing a unique level of support in their college-going preparation and transition. In addition, summer experiential learning opportunities for rising seniors and a bridge program for incoming first-year students provide transformational and high impact experiences such as faculty mentoring, research placement and experiential-based curricula, allowing students who participate to develop the confidence to engage, thrive, and rise.
Invest in Cougs
Invest in Cougs is a shared commitment by individual students, WSU, and external partners, resulting in matched savings and financial wellness programming to reduce unmet financial need and provide a real-world application of financial education. Unmet need is the single strongest driver of retention, in part because it impedes both the academic and student life engagement opportunities we know to be highly impactful. Beyond direct grant aid to alleviate financial barriers, participants receive peer mentoring and support that focus on academic engagement and financial well-being. Invest in Cougs allows students to make a commitment to their future in higher education and meets them more than half-way so they may persist towards graduation and stay immersed in their academic community.
Crimson Community Grants
Financial stress and crises can have significant negative impacts on our students’ wellbeing, on their ability to be engaged and successful, and even on their ability to continue pursuing their education. Crimson Community Grants supports students through a financial emergency inhibiting their ability to stay academically engaged by providing emergency funding, mentoring, hands-on budgeting, and resources based on the individual situation. Crimson Community Grants provide both pre and post advising to gain a full understanding of the emergency and follow the student beyond fund disbursement to support their development of financial self-advocacy, wellness, and our overall goal of persistence toward graduation.
Statewide Impact
True to our land-grant mission, our programs and initiatives support students across the state and initiate relevant and responsive partnerships with the communities we serve. While always expanding, we currently represent #OneWSU in seven Washington communities and work with Global Campus students where ever they may be.
