Archived Cougar Kudos:
October 2026
- Laura Bacon, DMECS Department Administrator, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Laura is consistent, engaged, collaborative, and professional. She works incredibly hard and makes it look effortless. A go-to person for so many, Laura is a constant source of support for the college and embodies the “Go Cougs” spirit. Even amid significant change within the college and department, she remains a model of consistency and a calm presence in the midst of change. - Kaury Balcom, Program Manager, Department of Viticulture and Enology
Kaury is an indispensable part of the department’s success, helping students navigate academic requirements, solve problems, access resources, and stay on track toward their goals. She has also played a central role in building the administrative infrastructure of a young and rapidly evolving department, supporting curricular changes, new programs, experiential learning, and student events. With extraordinary care, responsiveness, and follow-through, Kaury consistently goes above and beyond for students and colleagues, embodying the service and dedication at the heart of WSU’s land-grant mission. - Debra Barnett, Administrative Manager, CAHNRS and CESHS
Debra has served WSU for more than 25 years and is an indispensable source of stability, institutional knowledge, and support for faculty, staff, and students across both colleges. Particularly during recent leadership transitions, staffing reductions, and budget challenges, she has consistently gone above and beyond to keep units running smoothly while approaching colleagues with remarkable professionalism, responsiveness, and care. - Emily Butler, Public Relations/Communications Coordinator, Office of the Provost
Emily brings positive energy and a collaborative spirit to her work, building strong connections across the health sciences community. She is comfortable working in a variety of environments and with diverse stakeholders, allowing her to effectively support a wide range of initiatives. Emily consistently delivers high-quality communications and media work, particularly in social media and storytelling.
Her contributions to the Health Sciences CheckUp newsletter have helped highlight achievements, strengthen engagement, and keep audiences informed. Her professionalism, adaptability, and commitment to excellence make her a valued member of the team. - Elsie Cziske, Student and Clerical Assistant, CAHNRS
Elsie advances WSU’s land-grant mission by building relationships with agricultural partners and promoting the work of CAHNRS. She is leading the inaugural CAHNRS Tractor Parade during Ag Innovation Days, Oct. 2–3, 2026, creates content for the CAHNRS TikTok and other social media channels, and leads social media and newsletter communications for the Yakima Klickitat Farm Association. Thank you, Elsie, for going above and beyond! - Lesley Hernandez-Silva, Director of the Center for Student Excellence, College of Nursing
Since joining the College of Nursing in December 2025, Dr. Hernandez-Silva has successfully navigated the complexities of nursing education while integrating into a rapidly evolving organizational landscape spanning the college and broader university community. She has provided steady leadership through staff vacancies, ensuring continuity of admissions, advising, onboarding, and student support services while strengthening collaboration across campuses and with university partners. She and her team are critical partners in advancing student success and retention. - Junior Gomez, Student Services Coordinator, CAHNRS
Kudos to Junior for his exceptional service to CAHNRS and WSU’s land-grant mission. Through outreach across the Pacific Northwest, Junior builds meaningful relationships with students, families, schools, communities, and youth-serving organizations, creating pathways to higher education. His ability to connect authentically with prospective students helps them recognize that they belong in CAHNRS and that WSU is within their reach. Thank you, Junior! - Miguel Inzunza, Director of Recruitment and Retention, CAHNRS
Miguel deserves enthusiastic recognition for his exceptional commitment to CAHNRS and WSU’s land-grant mission. A relationship builder and innovator, he continually expands how and where CAHNRS connects with future students. His strong relationships with commissions, universities, schools, and community partners extend CAHNRS’s reach, expand access, and help students see themselves at WSU.
Miguel’s impact continues on campus through his leadership of the CAHNRS Ambassadors and other student organizations. By mentoring and developing student leaders, he strengthens retention, belonging, and community. Miguel doesn’t simply recruit students to CAHNRS; he helps create the community that enables them to thrive once they arrive. - Markus Keller, Professor, Viticulture
Markus deserves recognition for the sustained impact he has had on students and Washington’s grape and wine industry through his research, teaching, mentorship, and outreach. While well known within the viticulture research community, the breadth of his everyday contributions to WSU and the Washington industry can be easy to overlook.
He has spent decades translating complex grapevine science into knowledge growers can use, mentoring students and emerging scientists, and helping establish WSU as a trusted source of viticulture expertise. His work represents the kind of sustained, practical, and often behind-the-scenes contribution that makes the land-grant mission meaningful to the communities WSU serves. - Kendra Kurz, Project Manager, Facilities
Kendra is organized, people-first, and committed to getting things done. She rapidly completes tasks, closes the loop, effectively manages projects, and thoughtfully engages others throughout the process. She demonstrates the Coug spirit every day. - Rae Olsson, Scholarly Assistant Professor, Entomology
Rae Olsson has made significant contributions to student and faculty success through teaching, mentorship, and service. They create learning environments that build confidence, connect coursework with real-world applications, and encourage lifelong learning. Through the Learning Innovation for Teaching Fellows (LIFT) program, they also mentor colleagues and help cultivate evidence-based, values-driven teaching practices. Their emphasis on creativity, community, and professional well-being has strengthened WSU’s teaching culture and made a lasting impact across the university. - Lauren Smith, Principal Assistant, Student Affairs
Lauren stepped into the interim role of Assistant to the Vice Provost while continuing to balance the responsibilities of her primary role as principal assistant for the Dean of Students. She took on the additional responsibility with a cheerful spirit and genuine willingness to learn, providing valuable support during the transition. - Stephanie Smith, Associate Professor, School of Food Science
Stephanie has demonstrated exceptional leadership across research, teaching, Extension, and service. Her food safety research has secured more than $1.8 million in funding and contributed to projects exceeding $4.6 million, while her outreach has reached more than 2,590 participants across Washington. She also contributes to statewide food safety efforts and is deeply committed to student success, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and developing innovative curricula that connect professional certification, career readiness, and real-world problem solving. - Erin Van Antwerp, Associate Director for Faculty Development, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Erin is an empathetic leader who is exceptionally organized and dedicated to bringing high-quality faculty development to all parts of the College of Medicine throughout the state. She is known as an advocate for her team and for her outside-the-box, strategic thinking, especially on college-wide priorities such as digital accessibility. - Kiara White, Program Manager, Student Affairs
Kiara brought incredible energy and engagement to the WSU Health Sciences Spokane All-Campus Picnic. She connected with students and volunteers, had a strong handle on the event, and brought an enthusiasm that carried through to participants. Her leadership and positive presence helped make the picnic an especially memorable experience. - Erika Willy, Curriculum Manager, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Erika is a respected leader who knows the ins and outs of the MD curriculum like few others. She cares for and advocates for her staff team and partners effectively with faculty administrators and educators to keep the program moving forward. - Elizabeth Coughlan, Megan Foster, Sheree Furtado, and Sarah Guess, College of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary student and veterinary technician Elizabeth Coughlan, veterinary pharmacist Megan Foster, medical records volunteer Sheree Furtado, and WSU small animal internal medicine veterinarian Sarah Guess (’12 DVM, ’08 BS) traveled to Spokane to assist families affected by the 2026 Spokane Complex Fires. The team provided physical examinations to animals in community housing and offered updated vaccines to animals that needed them at the Spokane Convention Center. They were also able to dispense pet prescriptions on-site for animals evacuated without their essential medications. - Mai Peregrina and Sarah Owen-Williams, Student Affairs
Mai Peregrina, Testing and Classroom Access Coordinator, and Sarah Owen-Williams, Accommodations Specialist, stepped into their respective new roles in July and seamlessly supported students in Spokane with accommodations and testing needs. While still becoming familiar with their new positions, they are creating sustainable systems and improving the overall experience for students. - Paula Adams, Christian Estlund, and Liza Peebles, Student Affairs Assessment and Strategy
The Student Affairs Assessment and Strategy team of Paula Adams, Christian Estlund, and Liza Peebles created a fun and engaging series of “Data Parties” to further integrate daily assessment and impact reporting into the work of Student Affairs. Their efforts are helping demonstrate the impact of student engagement and involvement on long-term student success.