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The Washington State University Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA) and its partnering programs presented 21 types of awards to nearly 70 faculty and staff members, students, and, for the first time, an employer who hires WSU students. “Our award recipients represent disciplines and programs across all of WSU, and their accomplishments evidence many forms of student success and exceptional teaching and learning,” said William B. Davis, interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement.

The system-wide Washington State University Writing Program and its units will be led starting July 1 by Angela Mitchell, current director of first-year writing at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte (UNC). “Dr. Mitchell brings to WSU years of experience guiding university writing initiatives in addition to considerable teaching experience and research into writing studies,” said William B. Davis, interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement in the provost’s office.

Washington State University Smith Teaching and Learning Grant applications detailing innovative plans to enhance teaching and learning can be submitted through March 13, 2024. Proposals, including a signed endorsement by the applicant’s chair, can be submitted through an online application form located on the DAESA website. The focus area for 2024-25 grants is shifting to encompass a broader range of teaching and learning transformations and must address one or more of the Eight Principles of Effective Teaching, as outlined by the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Texas.

Starting July 1, 2024, the Washington State University Office of Assessment for Curricular Effectiveness (ACE) will be led by WSU alum Lindsey (Kimble) Brown immediately following the retirement of long-time director Kimberly Green. “WSU is indebted to Kimberly for her years of devoted leadership and creative vision, and we look forward to many future ACE achievements with Lindsey at the helm,” said Elizabeth Chilton, provost and executive vice president and WSU Pullman chancellor. “We congratulate them both and extend our sincere thanks for their service.”

Washington State University faculty can apply by Jan. 26 to receive a $500 professional development grant for encouraging their students to attend Career Expo Madness in-person and virtual events Feb. 5, 6, and 13. The new grant program is sponsored by the Academic Success and Career Center, host of the career fairs. The goal is to encourage career fair attendance. “We know many faculty already encourage their students to explore job and internship opportunities from employers who come to the Expos, so we decided to add a little incentive and reward this spring,” said Amanda Morgan, ASCC associate director.

PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University computer engineering major and electrical engineering minor Marielibeth “Vanessa” Moran is the WSU 2023 Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY), said the Academic Success and Career Center (ASCC), program host. A senior, Moran has worked for WSU Concessions, CORETECH, and the LAUNCH (Into Experiential Learning) program in the provost’s office, and has been an active participant in the Office of Academic Engagement’s Invest in Cougs program. Moran is also applauded for being consistently enthusiastic, conscientious, and a problem-solver, with her performance and attitude reflecting her work ethic, commitment to excellence, and a willingness to invest the time and effort to ensure a job is done to the best of her ability. She plans to graduate in 2024.

PULLMAN, Wash.—Proposals from 13 Washington State University faculty working independently or in groups have been awarded six Smith Teaching and Learning grants for 2023-2024 to address equity gaps in student performance, experiential learning to help meet employment criteria, or eliminate differences in student achievement across multi-section courses. “The proposals we have chosen to support this year are very diverse and will have the potential to impact the education of thousands of WSU students in the future,” said William B. Davis, interim vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement. “We are pleased that many faculty applied for a Smith grant and that proposals had solid and creative ideas to benefit teaching and learning.” Smith awards are funded by the Samuel H. and Patricia W. Smith Teaching and Learning Endowment, established in honor of retired WSU President Sam Smith in 2000. The grants are overseen by Davis.

The Washington State University Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA) celebrated the recent accomplishments of faculty, staff, and students at an April 13 event where a spectrum of awards was presented. “The endeavors our programs undertake to advance academic student success and promote faculty development are impressive,” said William B. Davis, interim vice provost for DAESA, part of the Provost’s Office. “We are pleased to recognize at our annual celebration the outstanding accomplishments of so many of our people.” A total of 19 types of awards were presented at the annual event.

A Washington State University system-wide committee has updated the suite of one-to-four-credit university (UNIV) student-success courses and processes for the first time in a decade, resulting in several changes effective starting in fall 2023. Some changes impact the elective courses themselves, and some changes impact procedures. “The UNIV Curriculum Committee saw the opportunity to be more intentional as to how instructors across the university teach using the UNIV curriculum, and to create processes to ensure centralized review of new UNIV course proposals and also that defined student learning outcomes are built into syllabi across every section taught,” said Michael Highfill, interim assistant vice provost for academic engagement and student development, and committee chair.

Washington State University faculty with innovative ideas to advance teaching and learning are invited to apply by March 13 for awards to fund projects. Both funding opportunities must directly attend to issues related to inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA). Smith Teaching and Learning and TCI IDEA grants have similarities but are quite distinct, with key differences between the two. Smith Teaching and Learning grant proposals must address classroom culture and instructional pedagogy through innovative practices that improve student learning. Transformational Change Initiative (TCI) Grants for Advancing IDEA fund collaborations and projects of varying scope.