By John Sutherland, University Communications

RICHLAND, Wash. – Sandra Haynes, a senior administrator at Metropolitan State University of Denver, is the new chancellor of Washington State University Tri-Cities.

WSU President Kirk Schulz announced Haynes’ hiring Monday, Dec. 18. She will begin her duties on March 1.

As chancellor, Haynes will function as the chief executive officer, representing the campus in the community, guiding campus growth and advocating for Ģ������Ƶ within the WSU statewide system of campuses.

Haynes currently is deputy provost and vice president of academic affairs and a professor in the Department of Human Services at MSU Denver. She oversees all academic affairs units. Previously she was dean of the university’s College of Professional Studies for 13 years.

Ideal skills to advance goals

“Sandra’s leadership skills and collaborative approach to building innovative partnerships promises an exciting future for Ģ������Ƶ as we continue to grow enrollment, academic programs and facilities,” Schulz said. “Her expertise also will shape the pivotal role Ģ������Ƶ will play in achieving our systemwide goal of becoming a top 25 public research university by 2030.”

Expanding WSU’s partnership with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, as well as continuing to ensure access to higher education for residents of eastern Washington, are among the priorities the president has identified for the new chancellor.

“I am honored and humbled to be selected as chancellor of Ģ������Ƶ,” Haynes said. “I look forward to playing a role in the important contributions the campus makes in the Columbia Basin area through quality instruction and the advancement of life-changing research. I am also excited to join the vibrant and engaged Tri-Cities community.”

Haynes’ achievements at Metropolitan State University Denver include identifying alternative sources of funding for the university by creating public-private partnerships and interdisciplinary programs to meet community and workforce needs. She also established best practices for the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty.

Haynes is a licensed psychologist and has authored several articles and book chapters. Her research interests range from topics in neuropsychology to philosophical issues regarding punishment to applied topics in human services and psychology and in higher education. She earned her doctorate and master’s degrees in experimental neuropsychology at Colorado State University, where she also competed a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Haynes was one of four finalists for the chancellorship following a nationwide search. The finalists recently visited the Ģ������Ƶ and Pullman campuses, where they met students, faculty, staff and members of the community. Haynes replaces H. Keith Moo-Young, who served as chancellor for more than four years.

Ģ������Ƶ

Ģ������Ƶ enrolls 1,937 students, more than 70 percent of whom study STEM-related academic disciplines. The campus offers 20 undergraduate and 33 graduate degrees.

Ģ������Ƶ student body is the most diverse among the university’s six campuses, with 38.9 percent of students identifying as minorities. Ģ������Ƶ hosts six university colleges, including Nursing, Medicine, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Agricultural, Human and Natural Sciences, as well as the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

The campus is home to the Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory, a WSU-PNNL managed research and teaching laboratory.

In 2015, the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center, one of the most technologically advanced wine science centers in the world, opened at Ģ������Ƶ.

Construction of on-campus housing recently began and is expected to open next August.

The campus is also home to the region’s largest alternative teaching certification program and the Hanford History Project.

 

Contacts:

• Phil Weiler, vice president for marketing and communication, 509-335-4742, weiler@wsu.edu
• Jeffrey Dennison, director of marketing and communication, Ģ������Ƶ, 509-372-7319, jeffrey.dennison@wsu.edu.

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The program recognizes Ģ������Ƶ female students, staff, faculty, alumnae and community members who have made notable contributions to the campus and community through service, teaching or involvement.

“This is a way to honor our female leaders within the Ģ������Ƶ community who have gone above and beyond to improve access to educational opportunities, driven momentous initiatives within their respective professions and have given generously of their free time in dedication to service and volunteerism,” said Chris Meiers, vice chancellor for enrollment management and student services.

Those being honored as Ģ������Ƶ’ 2017 Women of Distinction include:

• Amber Eubanks – Ģ������Ƶ community engagement specialist
• Anna King – news correspondent for the Northwest News Network and Northwest Public Radio
• Cindy Bruckner-Lea – project manager at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
• Dana Parmenter – Ģ������Ƶ junior in digital technology and culture
• Elizabeth Hernandez-Osorio – Ģ������Ƶ master’s student in educational leadership
• Jana Kay Lunstad – Ģ������Ƶ academic affairs coordinator
• Katherine Banks – Ģ������Ƶ instructor of political science in the School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs
• Kay Olson – Ģ������Ƶ clinical nursing instructor
• Lisa Godwin – executive director of Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity
• Lura Powell – chair of the WSU Board of Regents
• Michele Acker-Hocevar – Ģ������Ƶ interim vice chancellor of academic affairs
• Selene Torres-Medrano – Ģ������Ƶ senior in biological sciences
• Shawnta DiFalco – commanding officer in the Washington National Guard and secondary school administrator

Photos of the Women of Distinction and their biographies will be on display in the hallway nearest The Bookie, Ģ������Ƶ’ student bookstore, through May 12.

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Ryan Wagstaff struggled to find his path in high school.

He felt ahead of his fellow classmates mentally and intellectually and was ready for an academic experience that was more challenging.

“I wanted to get more involved and wanted more opportunities to network and meet new people,” he said.

As a high school sophomore, one of his friends mentioned running start as an option. Shortly after, he found out about the program at Washington State University Tri-Cities, which welcomes high school juniors and seniors to take university courses at no cost.

“I found it put me at ease,” he said. “It has been a really good fit for me. I’ve gotten a lot more involved, I’ve taken on leadership roles and I’ve put my best foot forward as a future professional.”

Wagstaff, now a high school senior and in his second year of the running start program at Ģ������Ƶ, is well on his way of pursuing a degree in psychology. He takes on a full course-load while working as the student manager of the campus’ Hospitality Café, in addition to leading up other developments around campus.

Wagstaff and classmates Yesenia Alcaraz and Madison Stredwick founded the Queer and Allies Club, which provides resources and support for those who associate with and support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. He is also a member of the psychology club on campus, which provides resources for students based in psychological methods, as well as networking connections and resources for students studying psychology. Additionally, Wagstaff has spoken as part of several student panels for various events, as well as serving as one of the speakers for the running start program’s one-year anniversary at Ģ������Ƶ last year.

“It has been a great platform to really develop myself as a professional,” he said. “Being a running start student, at first you have this perception that people will treat you differently as a high school student, but no one really knows that. I’ve had a really great experience with the program.”

Wagstaff said the professors take the time to get to know their students and provide every resource they can for ensuring students are successful and that they have every opportunity to develop their leadership potential.

“The people here are like my number one thing,” he said. “The professors are all kind and accepting people. Working at the café, I have the flexibility and affordability to interact with my classmates and professors here on campus while on the job. I also get to go to all these cool events, meet new people and generally grow as a person in a mature environment.”

Wagstaff said the program, however, has rigorous standards that interested students must take into account. He said the program is geared towards students who are college-ready, with the academic and social skills to keep up with the rigorous college lifestyle.

“It’s a step up from regular high school classes, for sure,” he said. “I recommend it for students who are diligent, prepared and are performing at least a 3.5 grade-point average in high school.”

Looking toward the future, Wagstaff said he has already applied to Ģ������Ƶ as a possible choice for the remainder of his bachelor’s degree. His ultimate goal, he said, is to become a psychiatrist so that he can help a wide variety of people through medicine.

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