July 2020

Provost Perspective
Obie Ford III presenting to faculty.

WSU Vancouver makes strides in Diversity and Equity

The faculty and staff at WSU Vancouver are working to improve the culture and climate on campus and throughout the WSU system. Taking a proactive approach, WSU Vancouver has been nationally recognized for its commitment to diversity and continues to add to its programming and curriculum in this area.
Read more about WSU Vancouver’s efforts

WSU moves to distance delivery for fall semester

The WSU system will deliver education at a distance during the fall 2020 semester, with limited exceptions. The move was made in the interest of the health and safety of students, faculty and staff. The majority of graduate-level courses will also be delivered at a distance through the fall semester. Visit the Office of the Provost’s Fall 2020 Planning page for further information and resources.

Read more about plans for the fall semester

Trevor Noah’s ‘Born a Crime’ selected for Common Reading

Author Trevor Noah describes several of his experiences growing up as the son of a white father and a black mother in apartheid South Africa in ‘Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood,’ this year’s Common Reading selection. The Common Reading book will be used by first‑year students and others in courses and academic discussions. Faculty are invited to request digital copies of the book and utilize the resources for incorporating ‘Born a Crime,’ into their courses.

Read more about the Common Reading Program

WSU fund distributes $500,000 to students affected by COVID‑19

The Crimson Community Grants fund has assisted more than 800 students with grants to help them cover educational and related expenses during a spring semester impacted by the COVID‑19 pandemic. The awards range from $200 to $1,000 and students used the funds to cover everything from rent and food to technology and critical medical supplies.

Read more about Crimson Community Grants

Drive to 25

Fulbright Program fosters cultural exchange

WSU is emerging as a leader in building international relationships through the Fulbright Program, earning distinction as one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars in 2019–20. The Fulbright Academy is helping to provide opportunities for WSU faculty to showcase their work on an international stage.

Read more about the WSU Fulbright Academy

Student Success

WSU senior lands inaugural award from Phi Beta Kappa

Oluwanifemi “Nife” Shola‑Dare earned Phi Beta Kappa’s Key Into Public Service Scholar award, one of just 20 students in the nation to earn the recognition. Shola‑Dare, a neuroscience major and Honors College student, landed a $5,000 scholarship and attended a virtual conference for awardees in June that provided training, mentoring, and reflection on pathways in active citizenship in the tradition of Phi Beta Kappa’s founders.

Read more about Shola‑Dare

Link Up

Faculty Development

Faculty invest in student success with Affordable Learning Grants

Faculty are investing in student success by creating open educational resources this summer. Five WSU faculty members from across the system landed Affordable Learning Grants. Their respective resources are projected to save students more than $200,000 in textbook costs over the course of the academic year.

Read more about the Affordable Learning Grant recipients

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Herevia inspires on the job and in the community

Esteban Herevia found his dream job as the pathway and inclusion coordinator at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, helping underrepresented and underserved students see themselves in medical school. He’s also become a leader in the Spokane community, helping to organize the Pride and Rainbow Festival and founding the nonprofit Wonderfully Made Spokane.

Read more about Herevia

College Highlights

Yuehe Lin, professor in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, was named a fellow of the Electrochemical Society (ECS). Lin was one of less than 15 honorees, recognized for his leadership and contributions to the fields of sensors and electrocatalysis.

Jack McNassar, an anthropology instructor for WSU Global Campus and the College of Arts and Sciences, earned the Excellence in Online Teaching Award. He was one of 82 nominees for the award sponsored by the Office of Academic Outreach and Innovation, and was recognized for employing best practices to engage, inspire, support, and show care for students in an online environment.

Jon Oatley, professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, was named to the Gene Editing in Animal Agriculture Task Force by the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. The 11‑member panel was convened to recommend regulations for emerging genomic technology in animal agriculture with appropriate safeguards and procedures.
Washington State University.