DAESA News

The Washington State University Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President has filled two new interim vice provost positions with experienced program directors and alumni Terese King and Michael Highfill. “These appointments support the evolving role and responsibilities of DAESA at the university,” said William B. Davis, DAESA interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement. “We appreciate the vision and leadership they will bring to their new roles and look forward to the many valuable contributions they will make.”

William (Bill) Davis has been appointed interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement and will begin a one-year term on July 1. Davis will succeed Mary Wack, who has served as vice provost since 2007. She is retiring, but will stay on through August as Davis transitions into his new role. “We are fortunate to have such a strong leader like Bill Davis to serve in this role, one that is critical to our educational mission at WSU,” provost Elizabeth Chilton said.

The Washington State University Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA) celebrated faculty, staff, and students whose contributions through academic year 2020-21 promoted students, teaching, and learning success and excellence university wide. The awards announced are being made by DAESA units that include the University Common Requirements (UCORE) program, the Academic Success and Career Center (ASCC), the Transfer Center for Policy and Resources, the Office of Academic Engagement, and First-Year Programs.

Several events, Nov. 2-9, allow Washington State University to join in the national celebration of a key population segment–first-generation students, the Office of Academic Engagement (OAE) said. Across three dates, the OAE will host a story share on social media, a faculty roundtable on student support, and a presentation by an accomplished alumnus. All events are free and open to the public. “There are first-gen celebrations planned nationally around this time, and we joined in because we realize that there are thousands of WSU students systemwide who identify as first-gen,” said Ray Acuña Luna, director for OAE’s College Access Programs.

Washington State University’s Office of Academic Engagement (OAE) has received word from the U.S. Dept. of Education (DOE) that it is awarding three student support services grants to benefit veterans, STEM students, and future teachers at the university. OAE Executive Director Michael Highfill said the grants—totaling over $4 million—will each serve between 120 and 140 low-income and first-generation students annually.

The Crimson Community Grants (CCG) fund at Washington State University provided a half million dollars to nearly 800 low-income students statewide to help meet educational and related expenses during a spring semester impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are pleased to be able to offer meaningful assistance at this difficult time for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at all campuses, and to be a resource they can turn to in this unique period,” said Michael Highfill, executive director of the Office of Academic Engagement (OAE).

The Washington State University Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA) honored outstanding faculty, staff, and students for their contributions throughout academic year 2019-20 to its programs that promote student, teaching, and learning success and excellence university wide.

A merger of programs within the Washington State University Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President has created the new Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA), said Mary F. Wack, vice provost.