By Lacey Desserault

Washington State University Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Field Office (DOE) and its Hanford contractors to host the One Hanford Leadership Academy. In six learning sessions throughout 2025, the program will develop the next generation of executive leaders to advance the One Hanford mission and drive impactful progress.

Cougar Tracks, Ģ������Ƶ’ continuing education department, was invited to serve as a bridge to connect its innovative academic resources with the real-world demands of the department and its contractors. By aligning leadership development programs with the needs of industry, Cougar Tracks ensures that professionals in the region gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to address complex challenges and drive economic growth.

“The One Hanford Leadership Academy is an opportunity to invest in the future of Hanford and the Tri-Cities region,” said Brian Stickney, deputy manager of the Hanford Field Office. “By partnering with Ģ������Ƶ and leveraging their academic excellence, we are equipping our next generation of leaders with skills and vision to advance progress in the One Hanford mission.”

The academy kicked off on Jan. 9 with an orientation for 15 participants from the Hanford field office and Hanford contractors Bechtel, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS), Central Plateau Cleanup Company (CPCCo), Navarro-ATL, Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C), and Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS). The sessions will conclude on Dec. 18.

Director of Cougar Tracks at Ģ������Ƶ Michelle Hrycauk Nassif explained that the university is cultivating a workforce that will not only excel within the Hanford ecosystem but also drive economic and technological growth in the Tri-Cities region. “Our Cougar Tracks programs are designed with industry collaboration at their core, ensuring that we not only meet but anticipate the workforce development needs of STEM-driven enterprises. The One Hanford Leadership Academy exemplifies this partnership, leveraging the strength of our research expertise and our innovative learning programs to prepare mid-level managers for transformative leadership roles.”

The academy concept arose organically, beginning with a simple mention of management training for leadership positions in an unrelated meeting. The concept was passed on to the program managers of Cougar Tracks, who began working interactively and iteratively for approximately six months to develop the curriculum topics, curriculum and project faculty, schedules, venues, budgets, and relationships with the DOE and the Hanford contractors.

The academy will prepare individuals in mid-level management roles for challenges in C-suite executive roles. Six faculty members from WSU will individually lead each session, covering the following topics:

• building trust
• communication and persuasion
• teamwork and collaboration
• negotiation and managing conflict
• culture and change management
• One Hanford collaboration

The learning sessions will be separated by project workshops, where participants work alongside Learning Integration Project Facilitators. Each participant will complete a project that applies the knowledge and skills the participants develop in the seminars.

Chancellor of Ģ������Ƶ Sandra Haynes said that the Academy is instrumental in developing the next wave of innovative leadership. “By drawing on the unique strengths of both Washington State University and the world-class work being done at the Hanford Site, this program offers a rich blend of theory and practice that will help professionals thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact on the region’s clean energy future.”

New agreement helps students save on costs

By Maegan Murray, Ģ������Ƶ

RICHLAND, Wash. – Columbia Basin College and Washington State University Tri-Cities signed a new agreement on Monday, Nov. 16, that creates a seamless pathway for students to complete their first two years at CBC and transfer to Ģ������Ƶ, which saves students costs.

Students significantly save on costs, as students in the program do not pay for the transfer application to attend Ģ������Ƶ, do not pay for the cost of their transcripts to transfer, and tuition is also frozen from their first semester enrolled at Ģ������Ƶ. In other words, if tuition rates increase anytime while enrolled at Ģ������Ƶ, students continue to pay the tuition rate from their first semester at Ģ������Ƶ.

Students also benefit from one-on-one support throughout their educational journey from both CBC and Ģ������Ƶ from their first term in the program. They work directly with academic advisors from both institutions to solidify complete programs of study. This helps to ensure that students complete their degree programs on-time and reduce the likelihood of taking courses unnecessarily that won’t directly transfer.

Close partnership a win for all students

Ģ������Ƶ Chancellor Sandra Haynes said she is excited to sign a new agreement with CBC, as it helps reduce the complications and cost to students who wish to first attend a community college and then transfer to a four-year university.

“Our two institutions work together to create seamless pathways so that students can get the most out of their educational experience and graduate on-track, on-time and career-ready,” she said. “With Ģ������Ƶ serving freshman, transfer, first-generation, low-income and non-traditional students, we are opening more doors to meet students where they are, today.”

Woods said CBC is also excited to strengthen its partnership with Ģ������Ƶ.

“Many of CBC’s graduates choose to become Cougs, while staying right here in the Tri-Cities,” she said. “This agreement smooths that transition. Whether a student chooses to pursue a four-year degree at CBC, Ģ������Ƶ, or any other institution, we are committed to helping each student find their best path forward.”

Students see direct benefits

Dawn Hughes, a current Ģ������Ƶ education student and alumna of Columbia Basin College, said transferring from CBC to Ģ������Ƶ provided a great local and affordable option that was a best fit for both her and her family.

“I moved to Tri-Cities in 2006 and was raising a family,” she said. “When I decided to go back to school, it fit our budget and our busy schedule. It was also convenient because I could take classes in-person, locally.”

Hughes said she received tremendous support from both her instructors at CBC and Ģ������Ƶ. When she started school, her sister was diagnosed with cancer. She served as her sister’s bone marrow transplant and was going to have to miss some school.

“My professors were so supportive through that,” she said. “Professors from both programs are that way. They want you to succeed.”

Apply to Bridges

Applications are open now for the Bridges Program. For more information and to apply, visit tricities.wsu.edu/bridges. To qualify for the Bridges Program, students must apply in their first year at CBC and complete the “Declaration of Intent” form. Have questions or want to meet with someone about your options? Email tricities.bridges@wsu.edu.

For more information about CBC, visit . For more information about Ģ������Ƶ, visit tricities.wsu.edu.

By Maegan Murray, WSU Tri‑Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington State University Tri‑Cities will now offer in-state tuition rates to students in Umatilla County, Oregon, through a new program called the “I‑82 Advantage.”

“With our proximity to Oregon, just across the Columbia River, it only makes sense to provide greater access to an excellent university education in such close proximity,” WSU Tri‑Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes said. “This program applies to all prospective students who reside in Umatilla County.”

The program will save residents from Umatilla County thousands in tuition costs. By paying in‑state rates, tuition will cost $11,144 per year, compared to the $26,087 that an out-of-state student would pay for non‑resident tuition.

Those interested in attending WSU Tri‑Cities for spring 2021 are encouraged to apply by Nov. 15. Individuals interested in attending WSU Tri‑Cities in fall 2021 are encouraged apply by Jan. 31.

Applications can be completed online at . After completing the application for admission, prospective students from Umatilla County should complete the WSU Tri‑Cities I‑82 Advantage application to qualify for in‑state tuition rates. Apply for the I‑82 Advantage program at .

Students applying to WSU Tri‑Cities should also make sure to complete the WSU Tri‑Cities scholarship application by Jan. 31 at .

For more information about the I‑82 Advantage program, visit tricities.wsu.edu/admissions/i82advantage.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this cost-saving option for local students in Umatilla County, Oregon,” Haynes said. “We continually try to identify ways where we can meet students where they are. The COVID‑19 pandemic presents additional financial challenges for many local families. We do not want it to prevent students from achieving their dream of attending college that will help in setting them up for success for their future.”

WSU Tri‑Cities will also continue to offer what is known as the Border Bill program. The State of Washington’s Border Bill allows Oregon residents who live in specified counties, or who have recently moved to Washington from those counties, to attend WSU Tri‑Cities part‑time (8 credits or less per semester) and pay resident tuition rates. The specific Oregon counties whose residents are eligible for this benefit are: Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Multnomah, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Washington. The application to apply for that program is located at tricities.wsu.edu/finaid/tuition-waivers.

For those with concerns about COVID‑19 and returning for any in‑person learning, all WSU Tri‑Cities classrooms are now equipped to offer virtual instruction, regardless of whether a class is offered in‑person or virtually.

ACT and SAT scores are also not being used as a factor for admissions decisions through spring semester 2022.

For more information about WSU Tri‑Cities, visit .

 

Media contacts: 

Maegan Murray, Ģ������Ƶ assistant director of marketing and communication, 619-403-3617 (cell), maegan_murray@wsu.edu

By Maegan Murray, Ģ������Ƶ

RICHLAND, Wash. – Fifty-six days.

It’s the length of time that Washington State University Tri-Cities business alumna Mariah Brush was stranded at sea with thousands of others while working aboard a cruise ship amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following graduating from Ģ������Ƶ in 2018, Brush fancied herself a regular business job working at a desk. After all, it was the type of job she was most familiar with while working several jobs in college. While studying at Ģ������Ƶ, she served as an intern in finance and contracts at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. She also worked for Ģ������Ƶ in various departments, at Pacific Crest Planning, NewEdge Marketing, State Farm and for a chiropractor’s office.

“I didn’t expect for my life to take such a random turn,” she said. “And I never thought I’d work on a cruise ship, let alone get stranded at sea amid a global pandemic.”

Brush heard about the job working for a cruise ship from a friend, who had done so for a few seasons. She decided to inquire about how it all worked. Before she knew it, she was four contracts in working in the kids club for the Holland America Line.

“As a student at WSU, I did a lot of event planning and marketing for events, so I was still able to apply a lot of those skills with the job on the ship,” she said. “It was really great. I went to Europe last year, the Caribbean, and then this year, did some Mexico runs and went to the Panama Canal.”

In March of this year, however, she and her crew members found themselves in an unusual predicament. At first, they thought most people had the common flu. They were asked to socially distance, but still had a relative range of freedom. They were able to go above deck and tan, watch movies on the main stage and access regular food resources. They even had a crew party. But that soon ended.

Following what would be their last visit to land of the trip, Brush said one of her good friends and fellow employees was one of the first members on the ship to test positive for COVID-19.

“I got a call from medical stating that we needed to lock ourselves in our room right away,” she said. “I freaked out, and yelled down the hall that we all had to go into lockdown. I didn’t know it was going to be for so long.”

Brush said she and her fellow crew members spent the days trying to entertain themselves. She said luckily, she had bought a Nintendo Switch, which helped pass the time. She and her crewmates would call each other from their room phones. They were also fortunate to have moved to rooms with balconies, which was a huge mood booster.

The food, however, was not so great. What started off as normal meals quickly became fish heads and rice, literally. Morale also started to dwindle.

“It felt like a prison,” she said. “I had my phone, but the internet was terrible and expensive. We mostly didn’t see another human until our next meal was delivered. They would give us our food and walk away. Medical would also come by every day to take our temperatures. But for the most part, we saw no one.”

On day 14 of their quarantine, they were finally allowed out of their rooms. They could leave their room for one hour every meal time. They had 30 minutes to get to the lido deck and then another 30 minutes to walk around and get back to their rooms.

A few days after that, they transferred ships, but they still weren’t allowed to dock on U.S. soil. They went back down south to Mexico where they transferred some crew members, but they were running out of food and water. They then went back on lock-down, as a sick crew member was reported. The one shining moment was the fact that they were moved to an upper floor where they could get some fresh air.

“Every morning, we got 50 minutes of outdoor time,” she said.

It would be another few weeks before they had a glimmer of hope. They were told they could get off the ship in Los Angeles, but then were told by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it wouldn’t be possible, even after their company bought them all plane tickets home.

Meanwhile, Brush said family members back home were making frequent calls to the governor’s office, the CDC, senators and U.S. representatives. But seemingly, there wasn’t anything anyone could do. They just had to wait it out.

Then, the phone call came. They were told on May 7 that they could get off the ship and that they would be returning home. They received their plane tickets at 8:30 p.m. that evening.

“It honestly didn’t feel real,” she said. “There had been a few times where we got our hopes up that we were going to get to go home, and then those were dashed away. When it became a reality that we were going to go home, we were all so relieved.”

Now, back home in Tri-Cities, Brush said it still feels surreal. She said she continues to have nightmares that she is back on the ship, or she wakes up in the morning thinking that she is still aboard the ship. But she does have a newfound appreciation for home and for basic freedoms.

“I’m outside right now, as I say this,” she said. “I can walk through the grass, see my family.”

Surprisingly, Brush said she doesn’t count out working on a cruise ship again, however, it isn’t in her immediate plans. She said she is currently taking some free courses online on social media marketing. She also hopes to put to use her business administration degree from Ģ������Ƶ to get a job in travel tourism or in some form of marketing after the pandemic is over.

One thing she does realize, however, is that the travel industry is likely changed forever.

“Things are likely going to be very different from here on out,” she said. “It’s going to be interesting to see how things change, and probably for the better.”

 

Media contacts:

Mariah Brush, Ģ������Ƶ alumna, mariah.brush19@gmail.com

By Maegan Murray, WSU Tri‑Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. – In light of the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order by Gov. Jay Inslee, as well as K-12 schools not returning to in-person learning throughout the state, Washington State University Tri-Cities launched a new website dedicated to educational children’s activities and a new reading program where kids virtually read along with Ģ������Ƶ faculty and can earn WSU prizes.

�ճ����website features a variety of do-it-at-home activities ranging from those that pertain to WSU and Coug spirit, such as creating your own Butch T. Cougar mask, to science experiments and other fun activities using supplies that most families likely already have and use in their home.

Additionally, through the new “Super Coug Readers” program in partnership with The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia, children can watch videos of Ģ������Ƶ faculty reading their favorite books. Children can also earn prizes for completing a Super Coug Readers reading calendar and/or completing a “Super Coug Readers Bingo” challenge.

The project is being led by the Ģ������Ƶ community engagement team in partnership with the Ģ������Ƶ College of Education and The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia.

“As a public university, we saw an opportunity to provide children and their families with fun and educational activities that are safe and readily available to complete in their own homes, especially during this unusual time,” said Jaime Heppler, Ģ������Ƶ executive director of advancement and community engagement. “Many parents, such as myself, are looking for engaging activities for their kids. This new website and reading program provide activities that foster learning and curiosity. We are excited to offer this as a resource for our regional families.”

Benefits of reading aloud with your kids

Elizabeth Barnes, executive director of The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia, said children who read for at least 20 minutes per day score in the 90^th percentile in standardized tests, are successful in school, are more likely to graduate from college and become successful in life.

“The skills and knowledge you gain from reading or being read to from birth are astronomical,” she said. “This is a very natural partnership for The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia and Ģ������Ƶ, as both organizations are trying to better the community through education.”

Barnes said children reading along with Ģ������Ƶ faculty presents a great way for children to be exposed to different educational opportunities and careers that are available in the regional Tri-Cities community.

“What kind of impact could an engineering professor have on a young girl and her parents if they were to hear ‘Rosie Revere, Engineer,’ for the first time?” she said. “What kind of connections to the real world could this have on a family that may never have contemplated a life for their daughter in the sciences?”

Reading with industry experts – Ģ������Ƶ faculty

Sara Sorensen Petersen, a Ģ������Ƶ clinical assistant professor of education and board member with the Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia, said she and her fellow faculty members are excited to provide educational opportunities for regional students to learn from faculty members in a range of fields and from a range of backgrounds and cultures.

“Speaking as a mom and an educator, it is great for kids to see others than mom and dad reading, as well as see professionals in their communities and learn a bit more about what they do,” she said. “We have female science professors, for example, that could inspire young girls to think about a career in the sciences. It’s just a great tie-in and presents a great opportunity for our local families.”

A free resource for families

The new Cougar Family Fun website is available for free and accessible to the public.

Additionally, The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia is supplying Ģ������Ƶ with an assortment of children’s books that will be given out at the Ģ������Ƶ Cougar Cupboard sponsored by Lamb Weston food pantry, in addition to food pick-up locations in Pasco and Kennewick for Ģ������Ƶ students and their families.  on pick-up locations and how to donate can be found online.

 

Media Contacts:

Jaime Heppler, Ģ������Ƶ executive director of advancement and community engagement, 509-372-7207, jaime.heppler@wsu.edu

Sara Sorensen Petersen, Ģ������Ƶ clinical assistant professor of education, 509-372-7395, sarapetersen@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, Ģ������Ƶ public relations/communication coordinator, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu

RICHLAND, Wash. – For as long as Mario Rodriguez could remember, his mother, Maria Luisa Rodriguez, had taken one or two classes at a time, determined to earn her bachelor’s degree in business.

After working in an assortment of jobs, ranging from harvesting crops, to warehouses, to restaurants, to childcare, she and her husband wanted to provide a better life for their family. While Mario Rodriguez and his siblings were out on the playground, his mother would study for a class or complete an assignment – first for her courses at Columbia Basin College and then for her courses at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

“At an early age, I knew that if I wanted something I had to work hard in order to achieve it,” Maria Luisa Rodriguez said. “Earning my degrees would be no different. As life created its path for me, I had the realization that not having a degree would limit me in the dreams and goals I had. I mentally made myself a life goals checklist: Earn a college degree, get a job with purpose and fulfillment, and simply live a good life.”

So when Mario Rodriguez decided to pursue his own path toward earning at college degree at Ģ������Ƶ a couple of years ago, he wanted to make his mom proud.

“She wanted to make sure that she earned that degree,” he said. “Her being in school always motivated me. She took a class or two while raising us. She is really inspiring, and I want make her proud.”

Saving money and getting an excellent education

Rodriguez chose Ģ������Ƶ as his own college option after studying at another college campus for a year because he could live at home, save money, remain close to his family, and get an excellent, well-rounded education.

In his classes, Rodriguez said he enjoyed learning from professors who are “passionate, in-tune with business needs of today and really engaging with their teaching.”

He chose to pursue a double degree option—studying digital technology and culture, where he specializes in graphic design and video production, and business administration, where he is working to grow his foundational knowledge in business, which can be applied to an assortment of areas in marketing and running a multimedia marketing firm.

“I have had classes with business professor Jesus Bravo, who was super into the subjects he was speaking about,” he says. “He would talk to you about the products you have in a business, how to keep your business relevant, and why many businesses fail or succeed.”

“Our professors teach us material that is applicable today and they constantly engage us and ask us questions to make us feel important and that our feedback matters,” he says.

 On-campus opportunities to spur potential career in marketing

Rodriguez has had the opportunity to work in several capacities on campus that support his goal of pursuing a career in marketing.

He worked in the Office of Professional Development and Community Education where he designed flyers, created materials, and helped manage office duties. This provided him with a good foundation for how an office worked.

Because his mother worked for the running start program at Ģ������Ƶ, he had the opportunity to use what he learned through his digital technology and culture classes to take photos and video to be used by the program. These opportunities helped showcase his talents to the university marketing and communications office, where he was recruited to work as an intern.

In the marketing and communications office at Ģ������Ƶ, Rodriguez blends his passion for design with his skills in business to produce materials ranging from video features, to crafting plans for social media marketing, to creating designs that are used for flyers, and other marketing materials.

“It’s cool to be able to work on projects that will highlight our campus and be used for real marketing purposes,” he says. “I am applying what I’m learning while still going to school.”

From mom to son

Last spring, Rodriguez witnessed his mother receive her diploma for a bachelor’s in business from Ģ������Ƶ. She is now using her degree as a program coordinator for the Carson College of Business at Ģ������Ƶ.

“Seeing her walk across that stage made me really proud, and even more so, made me want to live up to what she had set for me,” Mario Rodriguez said.

Now, he looks forward to making his mom proud by following in her footsteps while setting forth in his own path in marketing.

Mario Rodriguez completed his digital technology and culture degree last spring and now is finishing his bachelor’s in business administration with the goal of one-day working for a multimedia or advertising firm.

Maria Luisa Rodriguez said she couldn’t be more proud of her son.

“I constantly remind Mario that there are no limits to your dreams and to never let anything stop you from achieving them,” she said. “There will be times where you will want to give up and wonder ‘Why am I doing this?’ But after all those heartaches and late nights, nothing beats the feeling of when you walk across that stage, receive your degree and shake the hands of the very same people who supported, guided and motivated you along the way.”

Interested in pursuing a career in business? Visit tricities.wsu.edu/business.