by Emma Prophet

The 2025 CPP Fall Retreat was an insightful, energizing, and memorable experience that brought together faculty and staff as well as community members for a time of learning, reflection, and connection. The retreat has been an important tradition for the CPP college. It provides a strong sense of unity and thoughtful conversations.

Throughout that time, faculty and staff were able to step away from their busy routines and focus on growth in a more intentional way. Whether talking through ideas with new faces or reconnecting with familiar ones, everyone seemed genuinely appreciative of the opportunity to slow down and be present with one another. The retreat served as a reminder of how valuable it is to have dedicated time to gather, share perspectives, and build supportive relationships.

Each year, the CPP Excellence Awards recognize individuals who exemplify exceptional dedication, leadership, and service within the College of Professional Programs. Recipients of this award consistently demonstrate a commitment to elevating the student experience, advancing the mission of the college, and contributing meaningfully to their departments and the broader campus community. Their contributions strengthen our programs, inspire those around them, and highlight the remarkable talent and dedication present throughout CPP.

The 2024-2025 CPP Excellence Award Winners are:

● Faculty Service Activities: Ashley Lepisi, Education

● Faculty Teaching: Clive Gary, Education

● Faculty Scholarly & Creative Works: Rajeev Dwivedi, Business

● Classified Staff: Christi Wavada, Education

● Classified Staff: Christine Davies, Psychology

● Exempt Staff: Jill Stinson, Education

● Campus Partner: Margie Scammell-Renner, Advancement

● Community Partner: Matt and Candie Chew, Champions Retreat

● Community Partner: Bob Cole

● Team: Family Resource & Training Center (FRTC)

● Alumni: Alvaro Figueroa Garcia

● Alumni: Mary Beazer

One of the most anticipated moments of the event was the keynote presentation delivered by Cimone Wright-Hamor. Cimone’s message was powerful, engaging, and deeply thoughtful. She spoke with clarity and authenticity about leadership, the impact of faculty and staff on students’ lives, and how universities should navigate the information age. Her ability to connect with the audience through personal stories, practical insights, and genuine passion, made her presentation one of the defining highlights of the entire retreat. Attendees left feeling both inspired and challenged in the best possible way.

As the retreat concluded, the sense of community was amplified. Many participants expressed how refreshing it was to be in a space where learning, encouragement, and meaningful conversation were at the center of the day. The blend of educational content, supportive interactions, and Cimone Wright-Hamor’s outstanding keynote presentation, all created an environment that felt uplifting and restorative. Overall, the 2025 CPP Fall Retreat was a wonderful success!

By Emma Prophet

The College of Professional Programs is excited to highlight Tanielle Knox for CPP’s November Student Spotlight. Tanielle is a freshman majoring in Applied Developmental Psychology. 

Tanielle Knox, Colfax, Washington native, is an Applied Developmental Psychology major at Eastern Washington University with plans to graduate in Winter 2029. She also holds a Pharmacy Assistant certificate. Her passion for psychology stems from her desire to help those around her overcome their mental health challenges. She is pursuing a path toward becoming a mental health therapist. 

Tanielle chose EWU after taking “College in the Classroom” courses in high school and participating in a campus tour. The classes she took through Eastern in high school were in the Psychology, English, Political Science and Communication departments. These courses left a positive impact on Tanielle and further amplified her desire to continue her education at EWU. She immediately connected with the university’s unique, welcoming atmosphere and appreciated the beauty and small-town charm of the campus. Though she is early in her academic journey, she has already felt deeply supported by both EWU faculty and staff. That support has been especially meaningful as she navigates the challenges of leaving home, adjusting to college life, and overcoming the initial fear of not being accepted into college. Tanielle credits this supportive environment and the encouragement of her family, for helping her settle into college life. 

One of the biggest lessons she has learned so far through her studies is that more people struggle with mental health challenges than many realize. This awareness has further propelled her commitment to becoming a mental health therapist. She plans to continue her education after graduation by enrolling in a master’s program to work toward becoming a licensed mental health therapist. To students who may be considering psychology or a related field, Tanielle offers simple but reassuring advice:

“Have an open mind, check things out, and don’t worry if the basic psychology classes are overwhelming, it will be okay!”

She encourages students to give themselves time to adjust and to take it one day at a time. 

When it comes to campus involvement, Tanielle recommends that students check out Cru. She also emphasizes that EWU is an incredibly inclusive and welcoming place which is a message she wants students and the community to hear. For her, the university environment has played a major role in easing her transition to college and giving her a sense of belonging. 

By Emma Prophet

The College of Professional Programs is excited to recognize Noemi for October’s Student Spotlight. Noemi is a senior Interdisciplinary Studies major and McNair Scholar.

Noemi’s Journey Toward Justice

Growing up in Pasco, Washington, Noemi was surrounded by immigration stories often marked by hardship, uncertainty, and a lack of access to the legal resources many people desperately needed. Witnessing these realities firsthand planted the seeds for their passion: to pursue law and provide no-cost legal services to communities like their own. Now an Interdisciplinary Studies major and McNair Scholar set to graduate Spring 2026, Noemi plans to eventually attend law school and pursue the nonprofit side of law. Their drive is rooted in equality and service. “I noticed that people don’t have necessary legal information, especially in my hometown,” they shared.

“I want to make a difference by helping those who can’t otherwise afford legal services.”

The McNair Scholars Program has been instrumental in Noemi’s journey, offering both academic and personal support as they pursued opportunities to grow as a student and future professional. Noemi participated in a National Science Foundation collaborative research internship this past summer with the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and the University of New Mexico (UNM), studying issues at the US/Mexico border. Their research sharpened their interviewing and listening skills, and it also reaffirmed their commitment to advocacy. Just as importantly, they noticed how kindness and compassion amplified the impact of their work.

“Being a McNair scholar has been an amazing opportunity that has propelled me to pursue my beliefs and career goals,” they reflected.

Noemi attended the Imagining America conference in Lac Cruces, New Mexico earlier in October, participating in three presentations. One was with her summer project team from UTEP and UNM, titled “Re-imagining transborder passages: Lessons from Community-Based Participatory Research in the Paso del Norte region.” They received funding support to attend, participate, and present their research from the following areas: McNair Scholars, Interdisciplinary Studies, CPP Dean’s Office, and the Provost’s Office.

When asked what advice they would give others considering this path Noemi emphasizes persistence and curiosity. “Don’t be scared to be revolutionary. Like Assata Shakur said: “A wall is just a wall and it can be broken down.” Additionally, Noemi advises those around them to ask for help and seek out their resources. They recognized staff members across campus who had an impact on them during their time at EWU including Naite Boham (Pride Center), Romeal Watson (Career Center), and Vanessa Delgado (Multicultural Center).

Noemi’s perspective, they note, is shaped not only by hope but also by exposure to the difficult realities immigrants face in the legal system. During their studies and research project, they observed how dehumanizing courtroom procedures can be. Immigrants were shackled on multiple parts of their bodies, treated as though their humanity didn’t matter. “The setup of the room was belittling,” they explained. “They looked very tired and defeated.” These observations deepened Noemi’s commitment to become an immigration attorney who works with compassion and respect.

Looking ahead, Noemi envisions taking a couple of gap years after graduation to focus on preparing for the LSAT exam, learning different languages, focusing on art, and continuing with community impact work. Their ultimate goal is to attend law school and pursue a career as an immigration attorney, continuing to advocate for their community and provide accessible, free legal services. For Noemi, laws are not the ultimate measure of morality. As they put it, “We have a lot of the rights we have today because of people who broke the rules and protested.” With that spirit, and the foundation built as a McNair Scholar, Noemi is determined to continue pushing forward, breaking down walls, and working toward a future where justice is accessible to all.

by Lorna Harris

From July 27th to August 1st, 2025, Eastern Washington University proudly hosted a Washington Business Week (WBW) summer camp for 49 high school students on the Cheney campus. This marked the program’s first return to the east side of the state since 2019. Students lived on campus and were able to experience college student life, and 57% received a scholarship to attend. Throughout the week, students from across the state immersed themselves in a hands-on, team-based experience designed to simulate the real world of business. Divided into teams known as “companies,” students collaborated to manage their own mock businesses, and provided stockholder presentations which culminated in a trade show.

Local professionals volunteered their time as Company Advisors, providing coaching, mentoring, and facilitated learning throughout the week. The WBW program featured a dynamic mix of guest speakers, interactive sessions, and team-building activities focused on key themes such as leadership, teamwork, and entrepreneurship. Participants earned two college credits, walking away not just with valuable knowledge, but a head start on their academic journey. In fact, 56% of participants left the camp interested in attending Eastern Washington University!

We couldn’t provide this opportunity without the support of EWU Admissions, Housing and Residential Life, College of Professional Programs, School of Business, the Washington Business Week team, and all the faculty, staff, and students who worked and volunteered to make this a meaningful experience. Looking forward to our second camp in summer 2026!

By Brynne Irish

Student Recipient of the U.S. State Department’s Gilman Study Abroad Scholarship

The College of Professional Programs is excited to congratulate Bryce Drager on receiving the U.S. State Department’s Gilman Scholarship! Bryce is a passionate first-generation student, majoring in Psychology at Eastern Washington University and is expected to graduate in 2027. As a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, he has had the opportunities to be a guest speaker several times in lifespan development classes along with being a presenter on topics such as sensory development in children and changes in older adulthood focusing on hearing loss.

Originally, Bryce decided to attend EWU for the Social Work program with an interest in being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. However, he changed from Social Work to Psychology after learning the breadth of study and research areas in Psychology available to him. Drager was interested in mental healthcare and had developed a passion for research combined with an interest in foreign languages and cultures. “I was truly inspired to do this when I studied abroad for the first time in Japan where I met a psychologist there that integrated Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremonies with his therapeutic practice. Learning about what he did made me want to learn more and led me to where I am today” he stated.

Bryce first studied abroad in Japan in 2024, where he connected to international professionals in his field which ignited a passion for psychology in a non-Western context. He was unsure if he would enjoy living somewhere else for a long period of time, which led him to do a short-term program. After that first trip, Bryce was all in. “I had to do everything I could to propel myself forward to doing a full-length study abroad program, and Gilman was part of keeping that idea going.” Drager expressed how it was not just about getting the scholarship itself, but it was about the journey towards applying for it, as he used it to reflect on what he wanted to gain from study abroad. The U.S. State Department’s Gilman International Scholarship Program supports low-income students to study or intern abroad. This program offers young Americans the experience to gain the professional skills, language abilities, and knowledge of the world needed for successful careers.

To apply for the Gilman Scholarship, Bryce wrote three essays of varying lengths. He also wrote a fourth optional essay specifically for programs in countries where the main language spoken is considered a critical needs language. Currently, his research is focused on psychotherapy in China, but while studying abroad in Japan, Bryce hopes to continue with similar research related to culturally relevant psychotherapies. While being in Japan, he’ll have opportunities to find the most authentic way to learn more about East Asia and psychology along with gaining a better understanding of the effectiveness in using culturally adapted psychotherapies from China on American citizens.

For other students who may be interested in EWU’s Study Abroad program, Bryce explained how leading up to going feels long and it can be possible you may experience a variety of thoughts during that process including doubts due to possible homesickness. “For me, I’ve had a few times where I thought to myself “Do I really want to do this?” and started having doubts, but that is part of the process. It’s important to work through these thoughts with an open mind because it can be stressful to think about how much your environment may change.” said Bryce. An effective method Bryce shared is to talk about these thoughts with someone you trust and to learn about homesickness. Such as, look into what it is, how it affects people, and how best to overcome it.

Thinking about your doubts can be kind of like a prelude to homesickness, but as long as you know what it is, you can overcome it.

There were two staff members who helped Bryce through this process. First is Morganne Elkins, who is his current study abroad advisor with EWU Global. “She has done a lot to communicate with me about the process and given me feedback and encouragement through the process.” Next is Cori Jaeger from the McNair Scholars program here at EWU. “She was there as someone to encourage me to actually hit send on the applications for all the scholarships, including Gilman, and documentation for this whole process.” Additionally, he had support from the Global Studies office and the Writers’ Center to help him through the application and writing process. Bryce also shared how he was surprised that the hardest part for him while filling out applications for scholarships and study abroad was having confidence in his application, the physical motion of actually clicking the submit button, but he found it helpful to have someone there with you as you’re submitting.

As Bryce is a McNair Scholar, he mentioned how he was interested in researching the  effectiveness of using culturally adapted psychotherapies from China on American citizens. As he learned more about the topic, he discovered “an interesting quirk about how different Asian ethnic groups are referred to between the abstracts in a study and the participants.” He feels that it’s very important for anyone interested in doing research to know that you may be surprised by how the questions you have about your topic may shift as you learn more and more about it.

Being both a McNair Scholar and also studying abroad is not a common thing. But, beyond my inherent desire to take on both of these responsibilities, both are great opportunities to distinguish yourself for graduate programs or future employers.

Bryce greatly encourages others who may be interested in researching or are thinking about studying abroad to not be discouraged to do so. “There can be many barriers to achieving both of these things, but none are impossible to overcome.”

The College of Professional Programs is honored to feature and recognize Bryce Drager for his hard work in receiving the Gilman Study Abroad Scholarship. We hope he has a great time on his study abroad trip to Japan this next academic year!

Interested in Study Abroad and available Scholarships?

Contact Morganne Elkins at

EWU Global

345 Patterson Hall

global@ewu.edu or 509.359.2331

Interested in being better prepared for graduate school and graduate level research through the McNair Scholars Program?

Contact Cori Jaeger at

McNair Scholars Program

107 Monroe Hall

mcnair@ewu.edu or 509-359-6523

By Brynne Irish

The College of Professional Programs is excited to recognize Camden Triplett for April’s Student Spotlight. Camden is a junior dual-majoring in Management and Marketing in the School of Business.

Camden is in his junior year here at EWU, dual-majoring in Management and Marketing with a minor in Economics. He plans to receive his Bachelor’s degree in June of 2026. He recently received certification as a Microsoft Office Specialist in Excel. He is currently a full-time student working part-time at a restaurant and is in the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity here at EWU.

Growing up in Cheney, WA, Camden always had a strong connection to the local community. When it came time to choose a college, he decided on Eastern Washington University not only because it was close to home but because it was the best option financially for him and his family. It was not just the cost that helped him make this decision, but also EWU’s business program stood out to him as a strong beginning for his future.

Deciding on a direction after high school wasn’t easy. Camden admitted that figuring out what school to go to and for what career path was a challenge. However, during his senior year of high school Camden took a business communication class where he was introduced to different areas of the business industry, such as management and marketing. Through this class, he realized that communication and people skills are not just important in the business world but valuable in everyday life. Camden explained, “I knew studying business would help me develop those skills and be in a field that has endless opportunities and growth.” That realization is what sparked his interest in pursuing a business degree.

Through his experience at EWU so far, Camden shared that there have been many faculty who have helped him and have made his experience more enjoyable in his program.

My professor John Dunlop had great teaching tactics and made the Operations Management course really fascinating. Additionally, Professor Jeffrey Culver had an engaging classroom and made the Business Statistics 2 course easier to understand & learn.

Next, Camden described how one of his best accomplishments is his work ethic. As a full-time student who also works part-time, and stays actively involved in his fraternity, his schedule can be very busy.

Throughout my time in college, I’ve learned that the most important part of having a busy schedule is figuring out how to manage it well…That process has really improved and strengthened my work ethic, which is something I am very proud of.

Through hard work and dedication, he has learned how to better manage his time and balance the demands of school, work, extracurriculars, and his personal life. This is a skill that will continue to form his professional and personal growth.

As part of the business program, Camden shared one thing that surprised him which was learning how the human brain processes information better in groups of three. This means seeing three subjects or points at once. He said that “when presenting and having more than three paragraphs or visual aids, it can get overwhelming. So, I thought that was really useful to know, especially when presenting, teaching or holding meetings.”

As Camden is a member of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity here at EWU, he encourages other students to check out Eastern’s Greek life. He shared that “joining a fraternity or sorority can help you develop your social skills, make friends, and help you stay academically focused.”

Lastly, 5 years from now, Camden sees himself working for a company that he is passionate about in a management position located in either the Seattle or San Diego areas.

The College of Professional Programs is pleased to acknowledge Camden Triplett for his academic focus, dedication, and involvement as CPP’s April Student Spotlight!

By Brynne Irish

The College of Professional Programs is excited to congratulate Kimarie Fox on her acceptance to the X-Culture Global Business Week Conference!

Kimarie is a senior at Eastern Washington University, majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Workforce Management and is now expected to graduate in June 2025. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Kimarie moved to Spokane when she was 14 years old.

In Winter Quarter 2025, Kimarie took the IBUS 470 International Business course with Professor Abrahim Soleimani, and had the opportunity to participate in an X-Culture Project. She explained how this project teaches students how to work with people from other countries to create a professional report helping a company with an issue or to improve in some way. Kimarie mentioned that she was in a group with the following international students: Lauren from North Carolina, Shashank from India, Vicky from Hong Kong (studies in Canada), and Emilien from France.

Kimarie expressed how she enjoyed meeting new people from different countries, but that they did experience struggles working on this project in coordinating Zoom meetings because of all of the different time zones. However, she shared that they made it work and still managed to write an outstanding report. Kimarie took on a leadership role in her group, and she ended the project with a high peer evaluation score. This led her to being invited to apply to the X-Culture Global Business Week Conference in Vaasa, Finland.

I decided to apply even though I might not be able to afford it, because the invitation itself would be a great accomplishment to share with future employers.

The X-Culture website describes the X-Culture Global Business Week (Global Symposium) as an event that brings participants together from across the globe, chosen from the best of the best. Students from around the world from international teams that meet initially online and finally in person, to finalize their work in solving a real business problem. The selection process is competitive, with a limit of 150 students. Preferences are dependent on student applicants who have demonstrated excellence in past X-Culture programs, with consideration given to maximizing geographic and cultural diversity.

Kimarie’s X-Culture team chose the company Vivavoce, which is a medical clinic in Italy that specializes in speech therapy, other vocal cord related treatments, and rehabilitation. Their goal was to expand their services to other markets in different countries and once they analyzed those markets, they ended up recommending Japan. Kimarie credits Professor Abrahim Soleimani as being very helpful in assisting her group through any questions, feedback, or concerns they had.

Professor Soleimani had a Zoom call meeting with me, assisting me with any edits I should make, which I then relayed to my team. I could not have done it without his help.

After completing and mastering this class project, Kimarie was encouraged to apply to the X-Culture Global Business Week Conference in Vaasa Finland, and she was accepted! She states that, “This achievement means so much to me because it feels like my hard work was worth it. I was so excited when I found out and wanted to tell everyone I know.” This accomplishment additionally led Kimarie to start thinking more about if International Business is something she would enjoy pursuing in the future.

I really challenged myself with this project because of the leadership role I took on. I am normally not much of a leader, but I wanted to show myself that I am capable so that I can advocate for myself in my future career that I am leadership material, and that paid off as well.

For anyone else who may be interested in the X-Culture Project, Kimarie advises those students to step out of their comfort zone. She states, “while you can’t force anyone in your group to work hard, you control how hard you work and that matters.” She also recommends holding yourself and others accountable because it is important to make sure you finish the project with an end result you are proud of. She added that “this project is unique and so helpful for people that want to pursue International Business, it is worth participating in.”

Lastly, Kimarie added that she loves the Interdisciplinary Studies program because she is continuing to gain knowledge in multiple subject areas, which has allowed her more flexibility when job searching. Her long-term goal is to start a career and eventually be able to buy her own home.

The College of Professional Programs is thrilled to recognize and honor Kimarie Fox for her accomplishments and acceptance to the 2025 X-Culture Global Business Week Conference in Vaasa, Finland.

The College of Professional Programs, in collaboration with the EWU Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Associated Students of Eastern Washington University (ASEWU), is hosting the second Community Engagement Speaker Series event, titled “From Campus to Career: Insights from Top Leaders on Workforce Skills” on Tuesday April 22nd. As the region’s Polytechnic, we are committed to ensuring that our students are prepared for the workforce and that we collaborate with our industry and government partners intentionally. We would like our students and faculty to learn from industry and government leaders as well as from our university leadership about the demands of the workforce and what each of us (higher education, industry, government, non-profits) need to do to ensure that our students are workforce ready.

• Moderator: Paul Read, Publisher, Spokane Journal of Business
• Panelists:
  • Dr. Shari McMahan, President, Eastern Washington University
  • Ezra Eckhardt, CEO, Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU)
  • Alex Jackson, CEO, MultiCare Health System
  • John Hohman, City Manager, City of Spokane Valley

Please join us for a networking reception directly following the panel discussion. Refreshments will be provided. Open to students, employers, faculty/staff, and alumni.

Date: Tuesday April 22nd, 2025
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 am panel discussion and audience questions, 11:45 am to 12:30 pm networking reception
Location: Showalter Hall Auditorium (2nd floor) and Rotunda (just outside the auditorium) for the networking reception, on the EWU Cheney campus (see map). 526 5th Street, Cheney, WA 99004.

Register to attend here: https://CPPSpeakerSeries25.eventbrite.com

For any accommodation requests, please contact Maria Szep via email at mariam@ewu.edu by April 15th.

Doors open at 9:30 am. Open to the public. Classes welcome. This is a featured event during EWU’s annual Diversity and Inclusion Week.

About the Guest Speakers:

Dr. Shari McMahan

As president, Shari McMahan, PhD, is the principal administrative officer of Eastern Washington University and has general supervision of all operations and programs of the institution. The president carries out the rules and regulations established by the EWU Board of Trustees and state law. Shari McMahan came to EWU after serving as the provost and vice president for academic affairs at California State University, San Bernardino, since 2016, and was the first woman provost in CSUSB’s history. Prior to joining CSUSB, McMahan served as a faculty member and administrator for 16 years at California State University, Fullerton, most recently as deputy provost. In this role, she managed a wide and impressive portfolio, including enrollment services, academic operations and finance, institutional research and analytical studies, research, creative activities and technology transfer, university library, faculty affairs and records, the Faculty Development Center, online education and training, satellite campus operations and initiatives, and the Center for Excellence in Supplemental Instruction.

Ezra Eckhardt

Spokane native Ezra Eckhardt became STCU President and CEO on January 1, 2018. A Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Ezra served six years in the U.S. Army, including supporting operations in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Liberia, and as a Company Commander at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was an invited guest at the U.S. Army War College Commandant’s National Security Program in 2016. Ezra holds an MBA from Gonzaga University, where he has been an adjunct professor at the Jepson School of Business. Following his military service, Ezra held management posts for Honeywell and Microsoft. He was President and Chief Operating Officer of Sterling Bank when it merged with Umpqua Bank, where he became Executive Vice President of Operations. Ezra received the GoWest Credit Union Association’s 2023 Summit Icon award for leadership in the credit union movement and was added to the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders in March 2024. Ezra is Board Chair for the Spokane International Airport. He has two daughters, and his wife is a guidance counselor in Spokane Public Schools.

Alex Jackson

Alex Jackson is senior vice president and chief executive for MultiCare’s Inland Northwest and Central Washington regions. He has oversight of MultiCare Deaconess, Valley, and Yakima Memorial Hospitals in addition to MultiCare Rockwood Clinic, a 300+ provider group in Spokane and Yakima Memorial Physicians, a 210+ provider group in Yakima. Jackson brings more than 25 years of progressive health care leadership experience in a variety of roles and settings including chief operating officer and chief executive in both Portland, OR, and Spokane, WA. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in public health from Indiana University, Bloomington, and holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

John Hohman

John Hohman was appointed City Manager in January 2022 after spending five years as Deputy City Manager (appointed in January 2017). Before that appointment, Hohman spent five years as the Director of Community and Economic Development and four years as the Development Services Manager. Hohman joined the City as the Senior Development Engineer in July 2003. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Loyola Marymount University and is licensed in the states of Washington and California as a Professional Engineer. His prior experience is a mix of both public and private that includes working for Spokane County as a Development Services Engineer, acting as project manager for a Spokane area steel fabricator, and designing, managing and inspecting public works construction projects for over a decade.

Paul Read

Paul Read is publisher of the Journal of Business, a newspaper that serves the greater Spokane-Coeur d’Alene market, and also is Group Publisher of the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business and Senior Times newspapers in Tri-Cities, Washington. Paul has been with the Spokane Journal since it was founded in early 1986 and has been involved in the coverage of business news in Spokane for 40 years. He began leading the Tri-Cities publications after a subsidiary of Cowles Company bought them in late 2022. A Spokane native, Paul is a proud graduate of Eastern Washington University. He currently serves on the boards of Greater Spokane Incorporated, the Spokane Public Facilities District (Chair), the Association of Washington Business, and the Spokane-Kootenai Real Estate Research Committee (Past Chair).

By Brynne Irish

The College of Professional Programs is excited to recognize Ryan Finner for March’s Student Spotlight. Ryan is a junior in the Interdisciplinary Studies program. 

Ryan is in his junior year here at EWU, he is majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Sociocultural Anthropology and minoring in Africana Studies. He plans to receive his Bachelor’s degree in June of 2026. Ryan is also a student council member in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion where he shows his dedication to fostering inclusive environments for marginalized communities.

After growing up in Ontario, California, Ryan and his family moved to the Spokane area when he was 11-12 years old. He attended middle school and high school locally which is where he then got the chance to attend EWU as a Running Start student. Ryan decided to continue his studies here because he had found his community and felt engaged in the environment here at EWU. One of the reasons Ryan was interested in the Interdisciplinary Studies program is because of the flexibility it gives him. He expressed that since he is a person who has multiple different interests, this program allows him to combine all his interests into a degree that will help him in the future since he will have multiple skills from different disciplines.

Through his experience at EWU so far, Ryan shared that he has had multiple great mentors at Eastern.

Thanks to Dr. Okera Nsombi (Africana Studies Department) and Cori Jaeger (McNair Student Advisor) I have been able to get where I am. They have encouraged me every step of the way to authentically myself and to put my all into everything I do.

One challenge that Ryan faced during his journey was finding a community that he felt truly a part of. When he first became a college student here, he was trying out several different ways to find his community here at EWU. After so long, he thought about giving up, however, Ryan did overcome the feeling of not being a part of a community by being a part of multiple.

Getting the opportunity to be a part of multiple different communities and organizations has truly helped me develop a diverse lens and perspective on the things I do every day.

Now, Ryan’s greatest accomplishment is being able to become a McNair Scholar here at Eastern Washington University. This is the federally-funded TRIO Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program at EWU. For Ryan’s McNair research, he will be focusing on how bilingual and multilingual undergraduate students are navigating their academic spaces. His research interests also include multicultural identity, cultural interpretation, environmental justice, and linguistic variations across cultures.

Something Ryan shared that he has learned during his program is to take advantage of the opportunities of experiential learning.

Having the opportunity to participate in experiential learning is extremely important and allows you to test out different professional and/or academic fields.

Ryan believes this will apply to his professional future as he already has knowledge and skills in the field he is going into, which is Sociocultural Anthropology and higher education. Additionally, he has done internships, seminars, and been a teaching assistant, which have helped him become more passionate about using research and teaching to make a meaningful impact.

His advice for others interested in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program is to consider your future goals and interests and ask yourself “what do you hope to do with this degree?” Ryan said that once you figure that out then consider if having multiple skills from different disciplines could be helpful as a working professional.

Ryan also recommends becoming a part of Psi Chi to those who are a psychology major/minor or just interested in psychology. He emphasized that It will definitely help in your studies and allow you to make connections with others in the field. Another place Ryan encourages other students to check out is the JLR Multicultural Center in the PUB. “Everyone there is extremely welcoming, and it is a fun spot to hang out or relax.”

Lastly, 5 years from now Ryan sees himself two years away from completing his Ph.D. in Sociocultural Anthropology and being a part-time professor while doing his studies!

The College of Professional Programs is pleased to acknowledge Ryan Finner for his achievements, aspirations, and efforts as CPPs March Student Spotlight!

By Brynne Irish

The College of Professional Programs is excited to recognize Hawa Bangoura for February’s Student Spotlight. Hawa is an undergraduate student in the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program.

Hawa will soon graduate from EWU with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work and a minor in Psychology. She is currently interning with the nonprofit organization, Communities in Schools.

As Hawa grew up on the other side of the state in Federal Way, WA, she thought EWU was the perfect distance away from her family and hometown, not too far but still far enough for her to start her new journey. EWU was a top pick for Hawa, one because she was interested in seeing a different side of the state, but most importantly, she found that EWU had a good Social Work program which solidified her decision to attend EWU.

The Social Work program caught Hawa’s attention the most, and she decided to pursue this academic area of study because she felt that the social work field is very important but there are not enough social workers to do the work required. Hawa knew that she wanted to pursue a career where she would be helping others, and she believes that the real-world system is in need of more social workers. She expressed that “sometimes when people think of social workers, they may often think about the more negative side to it, such as taking children away from their home or how there is this narrative that social workers don’t get paid enough.” Hawa believes that this is what a lot of people can see or hear, and it steers them away from the social work field. She also mentioned that social workers can be present and helpful in many different settings, such as schools, hospitals, juvenile centers, and much more. However, “there just seems to be a lack of social workers when we need them and their support,” which is another valuable factor of why she is very passionate in contributing to improving the system.

Through her experience in EWU’s Social Work program, Hawa expressed how every faculty member and mentor in the program has been very helpful and has made it clear to the students that they have their best interest at heart, which Hawa found to be very reassuring.

Hawa is currently an intern with Communities in Schools, which is a nonprofit organization. For her internship, Hawa works at Sunset Elementary School in Airway Heights alongside the Student Support Coordinator there. She shared that in her role, she has learned how to do case management and how to help students who may be dealing with any behavioral issues. Additionally, Hawa and the Student Support Coordinator work with a caseload of kids with a big focus on social and emotional learning. One thing that had surprised Hawa during her time in the social work program was that when dealing with clients, “we aren’t necessarily telling them how to solve their problems, we actually help them solve their own problems instead of just doing it for them.”

One challenge Hawa expressed that she faced was adapting to the college lifestyle and learning to become more independent.

I managed to overcome this challenge because I have such an amazing good support system through my program, family, and friends.

While one of her greatest achievements is making it this far into college because “at the beginning, I was unsure of how far I would get, but I am so grateful and proud of what I have accomplished and how much I have grown through my college experience.”

If I had to give one piece of advice to others who may be interested in the social work program, I would say make sure you plan out how to manage your time as much as you can, while also making sure you take care of yourself by prioritizing your own self care.

Hawa also expressed that she would encourage other students to join any club that interests them because through EWU’s clubs you can build connections that can further help you when you’re done with college.

Lastly, Hawa shared that she plans to get her Master of Social Work (MSW) after finishing her bachelors degree. Five years from now she sees herself having her Master’s degree in Social Work and potentially leaving the state or remaining local.

The College of Professional Programs is honored to feature Hawa for all of her hard work, her passion for social work, and helping others!