Eastern Edge
Presented by
Major Sponsor
Upcoming Events
Eastern Edge - Yakima
Indigenous & Endangered: The Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Persons Crisis
Friday, April 28, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Yakima Convention Center
Join us Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Yakima Convention Center from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for a discussion exploring the intersection of tribal sovereignty with government and community partners, and their challenges when collaborating to address one of the biggest issues of our time: missing and murdered indigenous women and persons. This forum will feature tribal leaders, law enforcement, and community partners who are developing innovative ways to keep families safe.
Eastern Edge - Spokane
The Need for Nurses: From Pipeline to Provider
Friday, May 12, 7:30-9 a.m.
Spokane Club
Student Success Sponsor: MultiCare Health System
Join us Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Spokane Club from 7:30 to 9 a.m. for a discussion on our region’s unique healthcare challenges. From the unique needs of rural and underserved communities to the shortage of professional caregivers right here in Spokane, this forum features the healthcare leaders who are at the forefront of filling the growing demand for highly-skilled nurses in our region.
Spokane’s Nursing Shortage Panel
- Cindy Fitzgerald, Providence
- Anna Franklin, Providence
- Neil Christopher Apeles, Providence
- Jennifer Graham, MultiCare
Rural & Underserved Populations Panel
- Brady Cass, Asuris Northwest Health
- Jennifer Larmer, Lincoln Hospital District #3
- Will Matney, CHAS
- Kelley Charvet, CHAS
- Jennifer Vigil, MultiCare
Registration Opens Soon
We’ll email you when registration becomes available.

Community Connection
About Eastern Edge
Eastern Edge is a series of community forums and roundtable discussions designed to showcase the work of EWU experts who are changing the way we think, learn and do — both inside and outside of the classroom. Eastern Edge events demonstrate how Eastern faculty, staff and alumni are powering our region through groundbreaking research, new approaches to teaching and learning, and powerful solutions to issues of concern in our community.
Focus on Cybersecurity | March 11, 2022
Experts in the growing and important field of cybersecurity gathered for Eastern Washington University’s latest Eastern Edge forum in downtown Spokane. About 150 alumni and business leaders filled a ballroom at the DoubleTree hotel on March 11 to listen to industry experts talk about cybersecurity – ransomware, phishing attacks and data breaches – all topics that keep many business owners awake at night. There has been a shift in cyberattack targets away from large industry: it’s estimated that more than 40 percent of small businesses experienced a cyberattack in the last 12 months.
Powering the Hispanic Workforce |Oct. 15
EWU took Eastern Edge on the road to Tri-Cities for this inspiring discussion on how we can work with our community partners to prepare the growing Hispanic population to meet the needs of our workforce. Presenters included Shari Clarke, PhD, EWU’s Vice President for Diversity and Senior Diversity Officer, and Patrick Jones, PhD, Executive Director of EWU’s Institute for Public Policy & Economic Analysis. From 2000-2019, Washington’s Hispanic population grew by 7.5 percent – one of the fastest-growing populations in the state. In this thought-provoking forum, attendees heard from experts on demographic projections, professional workforce development, and the support systems needed in our communities.
Eastern EdgeEXP. | June 3, 2021
On June 3rd, 2021 Eastern EdgeEXP focused on our approach to cover multidisciplinary and experiential topics with deans, faculty and students. Interim president, Dr. May highlighted key initiatives and shared virtual tours of EWU’s latest projects, the Interdisciplinary Science Center and the Catalyst building.
Women in STEM | Oct 23, 2019
Eastern Washington University’s inaugural Eastern Edge community forum, “Women in STEM,” examined the lack of women in fields such as science, technology, engineering and math, and what can be done to change the narrative. The Oct. 23 gathering drew a large crowd at a convention center ballroom in Spokane, and EWU used the opportunity to announce a major program to not only attract more female STEM majors, but to nurture them as well.