By Maegan Murray, ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. – For student Lian Jacquez, finding the ideal university fit was a bit of a challenge – that is, until he arrived at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

Originally from eastern Oregon, he attended a university located in his home state, but found that the decision was an expensive one and more based on impulse than it was in finding a good fit for where he was at in his life.

But after his parents moved to the Tri-Cities, he decided to move back in with them so he could save money, but could also find a university that would allow him to pursue his passions. He decided to attend ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities and it ended up being one of the best decisions he has made to date.

Whether it be interacting and learning from his professors through tight-knit classes, to participating in a variety of clubs, to participating in student government, to finding the perfect job on campus, Jacquez said he feels like he has found a home at ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities.

β€œΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities is a hidden gem,” he said. β€œWe are located in an area that offers great opportunities without a lot of the competition that one might experience at a much larger university. And the people who work here – our faculty, administration, staff and everyone behind the scenes – are here to make sure we all succeed. We, as students, aren’t just a number or another name on the roster.”

Majoring in digital technology and culture –  a focus on the creative

Jacquez found his ideal major at ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities after taking the MyMajors Quiz on the university website. He was recommended to study digital technology and culture, elementary education and psychology.

β€œOut of the three, digital technology and culture, or DTC as we call it, resonated with me and made me the most excited to pursue, and I always imagined doing something in design,” he said.

Through the digital technology and culture program, Jacquez is learning about graphic design, photography, video production, sound production, media and technical writing and much more in the creative sphere. With his experience in the program, he said he initially wanted to pursue a career as a graphic designer. But after working more with individuals on campus and speaking with people in similar creative industries, he realizes he now wants to pursue a career as a creative director or program coordinator.

β€œBeing the person creating the work is fun, but being able to establish a concept, all of its components and tracking it from beginning to end is more appealing,” he said.

Jacquez said he loves the creative freedom that he and all the other students in the DTC program have.

β€œThere are guidelines and requirements, but we have creative reign to create something that is an extension of ourselves,” he said.

Varied campus experiences to fit every student

In addition to his experience in the DTC program, Jacquez is a student ambassador for the office of admissions on campus, is director of diversity affairs for the

Associated Students of ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities (student government), is vice president of the World Research Club on campus, in addition to serving as a member of the Queers and Allies Club.

He said since coming to ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities, he feels he can really make his academic and student life experience his own.

Through his experiences with the student clubs, he is able to truly connect with his peers and organize programming and events to benefit his fellow students. Through his role with student government, he is able to extend and create initiatives so that all students on campus feel connected with the resources to make them successful. And through his role as a student ambassador with the office of admissions, he is able to communicate and inspire prospective students who express an interest in attending ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities, giving them a genuine look into what his life as a student on campus looks like.

As director of diversity affairs with ASΊΪΑΟΙηTC, he said he values opportunities created on campus that directly benefit students, including a range of student resources: access services, counseling, a student pantry called Cougar Cupboard, the veteran center and being able to connect with the international student coordinator – both to see about options for studying abroad and to connect with international students. Another example is the UndocuQueer Conference that is being held this year on the ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities campus.

β€œI am really excited to learn more about the intersections of the LGBTQ and undocumented communities and the people who are affected by them,” he said. β€œThis will be my first time attending the conference.”

Career connections

In addition to his job in the admissions office on campus, Jacquez said there are also a variety of resources to help students connect with prestigious internships at ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities and in the community.

Last spring, after participating in the campus Career Development Etiquette Dinner where students are connected to professionals for an evening of networking through dinner, he met an an internship coordinator who connected him with an internship at the National Park Service. He now works as an interpretive specialist for the Manhattan Project National Historical Park.

He also hopes to land another internship before he graduates, which he aims to get connected with through ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities.

The connections at ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities, he said, are truly what has allowed him to get involved with many of these opportunities on campus.

β€œI love how incredibly diverse the campus is and the fact that not everyone is a stranger, thanks to the size of ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities,” he said.

For more information on the ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities Digital Technology and Culture program, visitΒ tricities.wsu.edu/dtc.

RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington State University Tri-Cities will host a variety of diversity and inclusion events in recognition of β€œOutober,” a reframing of October in observance of the 30^th anniversary of National Coming Out Day.

Outober raises awareness of issues pertaining to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer and other underrepresented populations.

β€œFor the past three years, the office of student affairs and the Associated Students of ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities have joined to together to celebrate Outober and to promote visibility and support of our LGBTQ+ students,” said Katie Banks, ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities’ instructor of politics and chair of the ΊΪΑΟΙη President’s Commission for Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation.

Banks said these events present an excellent opportunity to learn more about diverse populations and serve to highlight resources and community that are beneficial for all demographics.

The following events will occur throughout the month of October:

• Raising the Pride Flag
  • 8:45 a.m., Monday, Oct. 8, outside the entrance to Floyd
• Diversity and Inclusion in the Classroom (faculty development workshop)
  • 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 10, in Floyd 239
• LGBTQ+ 101 and Community Panel
  • 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, in Student Union Building 120N
• Second Annual (register at )
  • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13, in Student Union Building 120
• Using Power and Privilege for the Greater Good (staff and faculty development workshop)
  • 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17, in Floyd 239
• Student Leadership and Diversity: Taking Action on Campus and Beyond (by invitation only)
  • 10 a.m. – noon, Saturday, Oct. 20, in Student Union Building 120
• – The ABCs of LBGTQIA+ in the Workplace (by invitation only)
  • 9 a.m. – 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31, at the Red Lion Hotel

For more information, contact Banks at 509-372-7119 or k.banks@wsu.edu.

 

Media contacts:

Katherine Banks, ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities instructor of politics, philosophy and public affairs, 509-372-7119, k.banks@wsu.edu

Jordyn Creighton, ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities director of campus student support services, 509-372-7433, jordyn.creighton@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu