Rising to Challenges
Eastern Washington University is the region’s polytechnic. We are the region’s oldest university. And we remain, proudly, a place of possibilities. We’ve become all of these things because every day we ask one essential question: What will help our students succeed?
This past year has tested us: from Executive Orders that threaten our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, to uncertainty in financial aid, grant support and the state funding that helps us keep tuition the lowest in Washington.
Through it all, we have remained clear and united in our focus: the students who choose Eastern as their place to learn, grow and build a future.
Each spring, I’m honored to deliver my favorite speech of the year: my commencement address (at Reese Court!). I always send our graduates off with one final assignment — stay rooted in who you are. Don’t chase someone else’s version of success. Define it for yourself, and build a life that reflects your values, your purpose, your dreams.
That’s an assignment I take to heart in my own work. I define success by how I lift up those around me. My purpose is ensuring higher education is accessible to all — not just legacy students or those with perfect GPAs or deep-pocketed families. I want Eastern to serve the dreamers and doers, the first-generation and the underserved, the artists and the scientists, and yes, the proud third and fourth-generation Eagles. That’s why I hold our faculty and staff — and myself — accountable for closing equity gaps, maintaining a student-ready campus, and preserving both affordability and academic excellence.
And our people rise to that challenge every day. Faculty are mentoring students through applied research that is already making a difference in our region. We’re graduating desperately needed new nurses. We’re boosting student success in critical computer science and math courses through proactive, tailored support. And we’re actively taking inventory of our applied learning efforts so that students have meaningful, hands-on experiences that prepare them for what’s next.
Our impact isn’t just reflected in today’s students — it lives on in our alumni. Every day, Eagles are out there improving communities, shaping policy, standing for what’s right and living out the dreams they began building here at Eastern. Alumni like Greg Deckard, Darby McLean, state Sen. Matt Boehnke and so many others that you’ll meet in this magazine who each remind us of what is possible when we stay focused on our mission.
I’m incredibly proud of the Eastern family — our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Together, we are transforming lives and shaping the future of our region. And we’re just getting started.
Shari McMahan, PhD
EWU President
