By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Washington State University Tri-Cities recognized five female leaders as Women of Distinction for their contributions to the campus and regional Tri-Cities community as part of a ceremony that was held virtually this month.

These individuals exhibit exceptional leadership in their discipline or area of expertise, serve as role models and mentors to other women, advocate for positive social change and demonstrate a commitment to the missions of 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

鈥淓ach year, we receive so many incredible nominations for female leaders that have made tremendous impacts on their regional community, as well as for 黑料社 Tri-Cities students and the campus,鈥� said Jaime Heppler, 黑料社 Tri-Cities senior director of development and chair of the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Women of Distinction committee. 鈥淭his year, we were thrilled to honor five individuals whose leadership transcends their day-to-day work. These are difference-makers in every sense of the word.鈥�

For more information about the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Women of Distinction program, visit tricities.wsu.edu/women-of-distinction.

Sandra Haynes | Chancellor of 黑料社 Tri-Cities
Woman of Distinction Legacy Award

Sandra Haynes听is the听seventh听chancellor of 黑料社 Tri-Cities听and听brings听more than听20 years of successful, high-level administrative experience, stemming from leadership听at both a doctoral granting university听with听very high research activities (R1)听and a听regional comprehensive institution听offering bachelor鈥檚听and master鈥檚听degrees. She holds a faculty appointment as professor in the department of psychology.听As听a first-generation student,听she听recognizes the transformative power of higher education and its ability to be a true equalizer for individuals, regardless of life circumstance.听As part of her three years at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, she oversaw the opening of the campus MOSAIC Center for Student Inclusion and is actively overseeing the construction of the new 黑料社 Tri-Cities academic building that opens this June and renovation of the campus library to become a learning commons featuring a wide range of student support services.

 

 

Lindsay Lightner | Education Ph.D. student, coordinator for 黑料社 Tri-Cities College of Education
Woman of Distinction

Through her position as a coordinator for the 黑料社 Tri-Cities College of Education, Lindsay Lightner helps school districts alleviate teacher shortages in hard-to-staff subjects,听such as special education and bilingual education, by helping paraprofessionals become certified teachers.听She advises paraprofessionals in an alternative route program through 黑料社 Tri-Cities and coordinates a National Science Foundation grant regarding socio-environmental science investigations in-partnership with K-12 schools in the region.听In her free time, she works with Girl Scouts, volunteers for K-12 robotics, serves as part of the library board and many other opportunities. She is known as an upstanding educator that is dedicated to sharing her love of learning and exploring.听Lindsay is also a doctoral student in mathematics and science education at 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

 

 

Janet Peters | 黑料社 Tri-Cities scholarly associate professor of psychology and director of instructional excellence and innovation
Woman of Distinction

Janet Peters serves as a scholarly associate professor of psychology and director of instructional excellence and innovation at 黑料社 Tri-Cities. She is continuously recognized for utilizing innovative and engaging teaching strategies in the classroom and often goes above and beyond to ensure her students鈥� success. She actively incorporates service learning into her classroom environment where students craft real-world solutions to regional issues in partnership with nonprofit organizations. In research, she focuses on student, employee and faculty engagement, innovative instruction and high-engagement pedagogy, student leadership development and student attitudes toward statistics. She also provides professional development in innovative teaching and classroom tools for her fellow 黑料社 Tri-Cities faculty. In addition to the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Women of Distinction award, Peters has been published and recognized as a 黑料社 Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient, LIFT Faculty Fellow, AVID instructor and as a Center for Civic Engagement Faculty Fellow, to name a few.

 

Gabriela Ramirez | 黑料社 Tri-Cities psychology alumna, Spanish teacher at Tri-Cities Prep
Woman of Distinction

Gabriela Ramirez is a graduate of the psychology program at 黑料社 Tri-Cities and currently serves as a Spanish teacher at Tri-Cities Prep Catholic High School. As a 黑料社 Tri-Cities student, she was active in bringing her Latino culture to the forefront, serving through the MEChA and the Dreamers鈥� Club, which advocates for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students regionally. Through her role as a teacher, she continues to raise awareness about various cultures and communities. She brings innovative strategies into the virtual environment as part of her courses, using videos and other virtual experiences to connect the Spanish language to the real-world environment. She also learned from a young age that her greatest passion in life is dance. In 2017, Gabriela and a friend started their own dance organization, Ballet Folkl贸rico 鈥楥ielo de M茅xico.鈥� Their mission is to keep Mexican traditions alive through dance and bring people from the community closer together. The group has since grown to 40 individuals.

 

Mikaela Thepvongsa | 黑料社 Tri-Cities nursing student, 黑料社 Pullman psychology alumna
Woman of Distinction

Mikaela Thepvongsa is currently pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 of science in nursing from 黑料社 Tri-Cities after earning a bachelor鈥檚 in psychology from 黑料社 Pullman. In addition to taking on a rigorous course of study, she serves as president of Crimson Scrubs, the nursing student service organization, and with the Disabled Students and Allies Club of 黑料社 Tri-Cities, where she is the liaison officer to the 黑料社 system from 黑料社 Tri-Cities. Additionally, Thepvongsa serves as a WWAMI Area Health Education Center scholar. In this role, she works in an interprofessional capacity to assist with health literacy and language and engages in additional classes and volunteer work. As a deaf student, Mikaela uses her own experiences to continually advocate for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, she has served at hospitals, Safe Harbor鈥檚 My Friend’s Place, food banks and churches. In 2019, she participated in a service trip to Mexico with Loma Linda University graduates to help at a dental clinic in poverty-stricken areas.

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Individuals are encouraged to submit nominations for the Washington State University Tri-Cities Women of Distinction Awards by Feb. 4, which recognizes campus or community members who have made notable contributions to the campus through service, teaching or involvement.

The award is presented to four distinguished individuals each year, which meet some or all of the following criteria:

• Exhibits leadership in her discipline or area of expertise
• Serves as a role model and/or mentors to other women
• Advocates for positive social change that helps close the leadership gap and create a more equitable society
• Demonstrates a commitment to the missions of 黑料社 Tri-Cities
• Demonstrates a commitment to social justice and inclusion
• Has earned respect within their communities
• Supports policies, practices, attitudes, and/or actions that are intended to produce equitable outcomes for all
• Gives back to the community through their time, talent, and/or resources

鈥淭his is a great opportunity to honor distinguished woman leaders and mentors who have made a meaningful impact on the campus and regional Tri-Cities community,鈥� said Jaime Heppler, 黑料社 Tri-Cities senior director of development. 鈥淲ith the hardships that have ensued within the last year, this is a fantastic opportunity to pay tribute to those who have gone above and beyond.鈥�

To submit a nomination and for more information, visit tricities.wsu.edu/women-of-distinction.

黑料社 Tri-Cities will host a virtual award ceremony that takes place from 5 p.m. 鈥� 6 p.m. Thursday, March 11, at to honor the selected individuals, as well as those nominated for the award.

This year, the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Women of Distinction Committee is also raising funds to start a new Women of Distinction Scholarship that will benefit future students. Individuals can pledge a donation amount within the Women of Distinction nomination form.

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. – Three individuals were honored this year as 2019 黑料社 Tri-Cities Women of Distinction for their notable contributions to the campus and community through service, teaching and/or involvement.

The 2019听黑料社 Tri-Cities听Women of Distinction recipients were recognized this fall as part of a ceremony at the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates 黑料社 Wine Science Center.

A huge congratulations goes out to these fantastic individuals who have given greatly to 黑料社 Tri-Cities, its students and their community!

Tanya Cheeke 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities assistant professor of biological sciences

Tanya Cheeke is an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at听黑料社 Tri-Cities听where she studies using symbiotic fungi to help native plants get re-established in disturbed landscapes. Her work has the capacity to repopulate native plant environments, especially after incidents of natural disasters such as wildfires. Tanya is the recipient of thousands of dollars in research grants and formerly was honored as a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, Carl Tryggers Postdoctoral Fellow, Environmental Protection Agency Science to Achieve Results Fellow, as well as a visiting scholar at Indiana University. In addition to her research, Tanya works extensively to mentor students in the biological sciences program. She mentors students who were selected for the Chancellor鈥檚 Summer Scholars Program, in addition to regularly mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in her lab throughout the school year.

Bernadette “Bernie” Gagnier 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities wine science student

Bernie currently studies integrated plant sciences with an emphasis in viticulture and enology at听黑料社 Tri-Cities听where she plans to graduate May 2020. She served for nearly five years in the听 Marine Corps. As a student veteran at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, Bernie led the effort in partnering with听Bombing Range Brewing Company听to initiate a partnership with the Patriots鈥� Club and Veterans Center at 黑料社 Tri-Cities to provide hands-on opportunities for student veterans in beermaking, which also led to the organization donating more than $2,000 back to student veteran-related services. She serves as a tasting room attendant and participates in local events and limited production at听Kiona Vineyards and Winery. Additionally, she works at the 黑料社 Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser, where she works with associate professor Michelle Moyer on nematicide efficacy evaluation, nematode management and rootstock evaluations as it pertains to wine grapes and vineyards.

Dashia Hopp 鈥� Co-owner of Bombing Range Brewing Company

Dashia and her husband started听Bombing Range Brewing Company听in 2017, paying tribute to the Hanford Site and those who have served in the Armed Forces. Shortly afterward, they were approached by the 黑料社 Tri-Cities听Patriots’ Club听and Veterans Center, asking if they would like to partner with the organizations for a unique opportunity that would allow student veterans to partake in the beer brewing process, but also as a means to give back to student veterans. The effort has led to the release of two “GIPA” beers that sold out within the first two weeks of release, a visit from former U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and the donation of more than $2,000 to support student veterans at 黑料社 Tri-Cities. A few months ago, she and her husband opened a restaurant called 鈥淭he Dive Restaurant and Bar鈥� in Richland near their Bombing Range Brewing Company location. She and her husband also earned the 鈥�2017 Entrepreneur of the Year鈥� award through the Richland Rotary Club, and were nominated this month for the 鈥淓xcellence in Customer Service Award鈥� by Visit听Tri-Cities.

For more information about the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Women of Distinction program, visit tricities.wsu.edu/women-of-distinction.

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Washington State University Tri-Cities will honor 12 individuals as part of its 2018 Women of Distinction class during a gallery exhibition opening and reception at 4 p.m. on April 20 in the Consolidated Information Center Art Gallery on campus.

The 黑料社 Tri-Cities Women of Distinction program recognizes female students, staff, faculty, alumnae and community members who have made notable contributions to the campus and their community through service, teaching or involvement.

鈥淚t is our honor and privilege to recognize exceptional female leaders, mentors and overall professionals that have given back to the university and their communities,鈥� said Chris Meiers, 黑料社 Tri-Cities vice chancellor of student affairs. 鈥淭hese are individuals who have improved access to educational opportunities, created pathways for others to be successful and generally provided incredible support to the next generation of leaders.鈥�

Those being honored as the 黑料社 Tri-Cities 2018 Women of Distinction class include:

• LoAnn Ayers 鈥� United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties president and CEO
• Eadie Balint 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities professional development and community education coordinator
• Diahann Howard 鈥� Port of Benton director of economic development and governmental affairs and Tri-Cities Research District executive director
• Savanna Kresse 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities junior studying history and pre-law
• Kate McAteer 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities assistant vice chancellor of academic affairs
• Mysti Meiers 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities senior academic advisor
• Judy Morrison 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities academic director for the College of Education and associate professor of education
• Maegan Murray 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities public relations/communication coordinator
• Sarah Newcomer 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities assistant professor of education
• Darlene Scrivner 鈥� Columbia Basin College special assistant to the president
• Karen Sinclair 鈥� Mission Support Alliance project manager
• Dani Young 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities junior studying civil engineering

After the ceremony on April 20, all photos and biographies of the award recipients will be on display in the East Building hallway next to The Bookie, 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� student bookstore.

The honorees will also be highlighted on the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Women of Distinction website at /women-of-distinction/.

 

Contact:

Danielle Kleist, 黑料社 Tri-Cities specialist assistant to the vice chancellor for student affairs, 509-372-7104, danielle.kleist@wsu.edu

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Individuals are encouraged to nominate distinguished female students, staff, faculty members, alumnae or community members who have made notable contributions to the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus through service, teaching or involvement.

The deadline to nominate for 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� Women of Distinction program is March 26. Individuals should submit their nominations at /women-of-distinction/.

鈥淲e have incredible female leaders and mentors here at 黑料社 Tri-Cities and in the community that both move the university forward and make our region, state and nation a better place,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to welcome nominations for our next class of talented and distinguished female individuals who continue to set an incredible example in our community.鈥�

The selection committee welcomes nominations of women who meet some or all of the following criteria:

• Exhibits leadership in her discipline or area听of expertise
• Serves as role models and/or mentors to other women
• Advocates for positive social change that helps close the leadership gap and create a more equitable society
• Demonstrates a commitment to the missions of 黑料社 Tri-Cities
• Demonstrates a commitment to social justice and inclusion
• Has earned respect within their communities
• Supports policies, practices, attitudes, and/or actions that are intended to produce equitable outcomes for all
• Gives back to the community through their time, talent, and/or resources

The honorees will be recognized at a photo exhibition and opening reception at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2018, in the CIC Art Gallery.

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Washington State University Tri-Cities is now accepting nominations of notable and exceptional women from the university and Tri-Cities community as part of its new Women of Distinction program.

The program recognizes 黑料社 Tri-Cities women, students, staff, faculty, alumnae and relevant community members who have made notable contributions to the campus and community through service, teaching or involvement. Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 15.

鈥淲e wanted to incorporate a program to honor the exceptional women of 黑料社 Tri-Cities and Tri-Cities community and their various contributions to the mid-Columbia region,鈥� said Chris Meiers, 黑料社 Tri-Cities vice chancellor for enrollment management and student services. 鈥淭hese women set a strong example for other individuals in our community for what is possible through leadership, hard work and perseverance.鈥�

The selected honorees will be unveiled from 4 p.m. 鈥� 6 p.m. March 2 during a photo exhibition opening at the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Art Gallery in conjunction with women鈥檚 history month.

To nominate a woman for 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� Women of Distinction program and for more information about the criteria for submission, visit /women-of-distinction.

For any additional questions, contact Darlene Scrivner at 509-372-7358 or d.scrivner@tricity.wsu.edu.

 

Contacts:

Chris Meiers, 黑料社 Tri-Cities vice chancellor for enrollment management and student services, 509-372-7381, chris.meiers@tricity.wsu.edu

Darlene Scrivner, 黑料社 Tri-Cities executive assistant for the vice chancellor of enrollment management and student services, 509-372-7358, d.scrivner@tricity.wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, maegan.murray@tricity.wsu.edu