WSU Tri-Cities To Host Fall 2026 Career And Internship Fair On Campus (Photo) - 09/03/26

RICHLAND, Wash. — Students and community members seeking jobs or internships will have the opportunity to meet with area employers at the Washington State University Tri-Cities Career and Internship Fair, happening 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 21. The event will be held on the WSU Tri-Cities campus in the Consolidated Information Center. Registration for both employers and participants is now open.

Thanks to the collaboration of WorkSource and Columbia Basin College, local organizations from a wide variety of industries are slated to attend, giving ample opportunity for students and community members to connect with recruiters who are looking to hire. Attendees seeking employment opportunities should come prepared with copies of resumes, as well as other documents they may wish to share.

John Navarro, WSU Tri-Cities Career Center coordinator, said the event is an opportunity to strengthen connections between students, employers and the broader community. “Events like this allow students to build confidence, explore career opportunities and make meaningful connections, while also giving employers an opportunity to see the talent and potential we have here at WSU Tri-Cities and throughout our community,” Navarro said. “It’s about bringing people together, creating connections and helping employers see what’s possible when we work together as a campus and as a community.”

Interested employers that wish to have a booth at the event must register by Oct. 16. For more information regarding the event, including registration links, visit: tricities.wsu.edu/event/fall-2026-career-internship-fair.

WSU Tri-Cities Offers Management Skills Development Workshop Series Aimed At Spokane Manufacturing Industries - 09/01/26

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Washington State University Tri-Cities is bringing its continuing education program, Cougar Tracks, to the Spokane region this fall with a special workshop series aimed at workforce management in the manufacturing industries.

This four-part, in-person Manager Coaching Series, which takes place this October at the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, aims to equip new and mid-level managers with practical tools, proven frameworks and hands-on coaching techniques that support organizational performance, employee engagement and regional workforce readiness.

Each four-hour session blends interactive learning with real-world scenarios, enabling participants to apply new skills immediately. Workshop topics include:

• Oct. 1: Manager essentials—building trust, setting expectations and coaching performance.
• Oct. 8: Leading performance and change—navigating complex priorities and guiding teams through transitions.
• Oct. 15: Building the team—hiring, onboarding and developing talent.
• Oct. 22: Communicating with influence—facilitating effective meetings and driving action through clear communication. 

The series is designed for aspiring leaders, experienced supervisors and organizations seeking to strengthen leadership capacity and build effective teams.

“Across every industry, we’re seeing a growing demand for managers who can lead diverse teams of employees with clear vision, optimism and effective communication. This need is especially pronounced for organizations facing rapid technological advancements and evolving workforce expectations,” said Cougar Tracks Director Michelle Hrycauk Nassif. “This series supports employers by developing confident leaders who are ready to meet today’s workforce challenges and drive our region’s economic vitality.”

Wade Larson, Ph.D., a leadership consultant and course facilitator for the workshop series, said that for employees and customers, the manager often serves as the face of the company, representing the organization’s mission, products and values. Therefore, he says, upskilling managers and giving them practical resources is key to helping businesses thrive.

"Gallup has documented that about 70% of an organization’s success is tied directly to its managers,” Larson said.

Cougar Tracks is the continuing education and workforce development arm of WSU Tri-Cities, which previously offered a similar manager training series at its Richland campus. Hrycauk Nassif said the Spokane-based workshop series is part of a larger initiative to expand Cougar Tracks’ reach and footprint into other parts of Washington state, with the goal of adapting workshop themes and curricula to the specific needs of each region served.

The October workshop series, Hrycauk Nassif said, will apply to all types of organizations, including those within Spokane’s diverse and robust manufacturing sector, which employs an estimated 17,000 workers and generates roughly $4 billion per year to the local economy.

“From medical supplies to airplane components, the Spokane area is home to companies that manufacture products at scale,” Hrycauk Nassif said. “These complex operations depend not only on technical expertise, but also strong leaders who can develop talent, drive performance and adapt to change.”

The cost of the workshop series is $499. For more information, or to register, go to: www.bit.ly/CTWORKSHOPS 

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About WSU Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks 

Cougar Tracks at WSU Tri-Cities provides non-credit professional development, workforce training and industry-responsive learning experiences for individuals and organizations throughout the region. Through strong business and community partnerships, Cougar Tracks designs programs that strengthen local talent pipelines, expand economic opportunity and support long-term workforce development in the Tri-Cities region and throughout Washington state. 

WSU Tri-Cities Fall Education Summit 2026 Registration Now Open (Photo) - 08/25/26

RICHLAND, Wash. – Registration for the Washington State University Tri-Cities annual Education Summit is now open. Sponsored by STCU, the summit will take place on Saturday, Oct. 10, and feature award-winning Pasco teacher Gabriela Whitemarsh as the keynote speaker.

The summit is open to administrators and teachers and will cover a variety of issues and perspectives in K-12 education, spanning multiple tracks and professional development sessions under this year’s central theme, “The Connected Future: Integrating AI, Technology and the Human Work of Learning and Wellbeing.” Participants will have the opportunity to earn up to six clock hours with STEM, Leadership and Equity options.

Keynote speaker Gabriela Whitemarsh, winner of the 2026 Washington State Teacher of the Year award, is a bilingual mathematics teacher at Pasco High School, from which she also graduated. Throughout her 18-year career, Whitemarsh has championed and advanced equitable access to education opportunities for students of all backgrounds. In 2018, she launched the Advanced Multilingual Mathematics Program, designed to help students new to the United States pursue college-level math courses while working toward English language proficiency. Her keynote address will highlight the importance of keeping human relationships at the center of teaching, especially amid technological change and disruption.

The Education Summit will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the WSU Tri-Cities campus in the Consolidated Information Center (CIC), located at 2780 Crimson Way in Richland. Doors will open at 8:45 a.m., and lunch will be provided.

Those who plan to attend must register by Oct. 1. Registration costs $35 until Sept. 26, after which the price will increase to $45. Spots fill fast, so we encourage early registration. For more information and to register, go to: tricities.wsu.edu/education/education-summit/

The Education Summit is hosted by the WSU Tri-Cities College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences.

MEDIA ALERT: WSU Tri-Cities Welcomes New And Returning Students At Wave The Flag Event (reminder) - 08/20/26

What: Washington State University Tri-Cities celebrates the start of the 2026-27 academic year with annual Wave the Flag event. 

When: This event will take place from 8:30–10:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 24. 

Why: This is a great opportunity for photo and video storytelling, with the option of interviewing event volunteers. The flag waving event is the kick-off to WSU Tri-Cities’ Week of Welcome. Showing our Cougar Pride makes new and returning students feel welcomed as they arrive on campus for the first day of classes. 

Who: WSU Tri-Cities faculty, staff, and community members will be volunteering their time and showing their Coug spirit by waving WSU flags and welcome signs along the main entrance road that leads to campus. 

Where: Flag wavers and sign holders will be positioned at the entrance to the WSU Tri-Cities campus at the corner of George Washington Way and Sprout Road in Richland. 

Should air quality levels reach 125 µg/m³ or higher on Monday, WSU Tri-Cities will cancel the event in the interest of public health and safety.

WSU Tri-Cities' Manager Coaching Series Aimed At Strengthening Regional Workforce Returns This Fall - 08/18/26

MEDIA ALERT: WSU Tri-Cities Welcomes New And Returning Students At Wave The Flag Event - 08/12/26

What: Washington State University Tri-Cities celebrates the start of the 2026-27 academic year with annual Wave the Flag event. 

When: This event will take place from 8:30–10:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 24. 

Why: This is a great opportunity for photo and video storytelling, with the option of interviewing event volunteers. The flag waving event is the kick-off to WSU Tri-Cities’ Week of Welcome. Showing our Cougar Pride makes new and returning students feel welcomed as they arrive on campus for the first day of classes. 

Who: WSU Tri-Cities faculty, staff, and community members will be volunteering their time and showing their Coug spirit by waving WSU flags and welcome signs along the main entrance road that lead to campus. 

Where: Flag wavers and sign holders will be positioned at the entrances to the WSU Tri-Cities campus at the corner of George Washington Way and Sprout Road in Richland.