WSU Tri-Cities Welcomes Radiation Safety Expert For April 15 Public Lecture - 04/07/26

RICHLAND — Washington State University Tri-Cities is pleased to present the Herbert M. Parker Foundation spring lecture featuring guest speaker François Paquet, beginning at 6 p.m. on April 15 in the East Building auditorium (room No. 266) at the WSU Tri-Cities campus.
 

Paquet is the deputy director for research and expertise in the environment at the French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Agency. He also serves as the vice chair of the International Commission on Radiological Protection’s Committee 2 and chair of the ICRP Task Force on Internal Dosimetry. The ICRP is a non-governmental organization that provides research-guided recommendations on safety standards and practices relating to radiological exposure and protection. Paquet has authored more than 180 peer-reviewed publications.

Through his lecture, Paquet poses the question: How do scientific models translate into real-world decisions? Using internal dosimetry as a case study, he’ll discuss how radiation risk is quantified and where calculation meets judgment.

This event is free and open to the public. Viewers can also watch the lecture online by going to: youtube.com/wsutricities

The Herbert M. Parker Foundation lecture series seeks to enhance public understanding of radiological issues. 

WSU Tri-Cities Exhibit Highlights STEAM Learning Through Art (Photo) - 04/03/26

RICHLAND — An upcoming exhibit at Washington State University Tri-Cities is inviting viewers to reimagine the relationship between artistic expression and scientific learning. Opening April 15 at the Art Center in the Consolidated Information Center on the WSU Tri-Cities campus, “Art(Math + Science) = Creative Intersections” brings together a collection of works created by college and middle school students alike. The opening reception will  include a public panel, “STEAMworks: Pedagogy of Practice,” as university students and faculty discuss their experiences of incorporating art into their teaching practices.

From visual representations of fractional division using organic materials to sculptural reflections on food and nutrition, the works on display put a creative, hand-crafted spin on mathematical concepts and scientific topics. In showcasing these works, exhibit organizers hope to challenge assumptions of how STEM subjects should be taught and presented in educational spaces.

“One of the central ideas behind this exhibit is to explore multiple pathways for meaning-making. By making these connections visible, it encourages divergent thinking, inviting students to interpret, question and make dialogue beyond a single correct answer,” said Yichien Cooper, assistant professor of teaching and learning with the WSU Tri-Cities College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences, who curated the exhibit. “We want to demonstrate the power and potential of teaching through art, which can inspire, build confidence and help young learners connect with new ideas in a meaningful way.”

The multi-disciplinary exhibit includes works created by WSU Tri-Cities education majors from Cooper’s “Integrating Fine Arts into K-8 Curriculum” course, as well as from courses on integrated science and elementary mathematics taught by assistant professors Tyler Hanson and Ethan Smith, respectively. The show will also feature works created by students from Richland’s Carmichael Middle School, originating from a special project conducted by WSU Tri-Cities teaching candidate Destiny Kuespert during her practicum training. 

Viewers of the exhibit are also welcome to participate through an interactive component that will encourage making shapes and patterns based on self-guided prompts.

The April 15 opening reception is from 5:30-6:30 p.m., followed by the panel discussion from 6:30-7:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend the exhibit, which will be on display until August 13. 

Kennewick School District And WSU Tri-Cities Partner To Bring Unique Learning Experiences To Teacher Candidates (Photo) - 03/12/26

KENNEWICK, WA - Aspiring teachers will have a more robust and meaningful practicum experience thanks to a new partnership between the Washington State University Tri-Cities College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences and Park Middle School. The middle school, located in the Kennewick School District, was designated as a “WSU Tri-Cities College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences Teaching Laboratory School” at a ceremony on Thursday, March 12.

Teaching Laboratory Schools provide early practicum experiences that go beyond traditional classroom placements. Instead of observing a single teacher, WSU Tri-Cities teacher candidates rotate through multiple classrooms focused on specific topics related to teaching and learning. After observing, candidates volunteer in selected classrooms to apply instructional techniques and support student learning.

Park Principal, Shaun Espe-Amaya is enthusiastic about being a Laboratory School. “We are excited to partner with Washington State University Tri-Cities to create new opportunities for future teachers and staff at Park. This collaboration not only showcases the exceptional work of our dedicated teachers but also promises to enhance our educational programs and enrich the learning experiences for all involved!”

Kennewick, Richland and Pasco School Districts have volunteered to initiate the Laboratory School partnership. In addition to Park Middle School in Kennewick, Tapteal Elementary in West Richland, Maya Angelou Elementary and Roselind Franklin STEM Elementary in Pasco are designated as “WSU Tri-Cities College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences Teaching Laboratory Schools”.

John Mancinelli, the academic director for the College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences at WSU Tri-Cities, stated that the Teaching Laboratory School partnership provides our teacher candidates with impactful, hands-on learning that benefits our community for decades. “Approximately eighty-five percent of WSU Tri-Cities teacher-candidates stay in our region after graduating and becoming certified,” he said.  “Park Middle School’s partnership allows all our candidates to gain valuable insights into teaching and learning about middle school age-appropriate development, and a look into how professional learning communities operate. We are grateful for this partnership.”

WSU Tri-Cities Field Services places teacher candidates in regional schools for three types of practica: Early, Pre-Internship, and Student Teaching. All teacher candidates combined spend about 45,000 hours each academic year in 33 different school districts located in the Columbia Basin including Walla Walla, Goldendale, Yakima, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, and the Tri-Cities.

The WSU Tri-Cities College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences offers multiple routes for individuals interested in earning a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in education, as well as certification programs for principals, program administrators and superintendents. Visit https://tricities.wsu.edu/education/ for more details.

WSU Tri-Cities Students Relaunch Mid-Columbia Rotaract To Serve Local Communities (Photo) - 03/11/26

RICHLAND, Wash. — Seven students from Washington State University Tri-Cities are bringing their collective passion for community service beyond the confines of the Richland campus. As members of the newly relaunched Mid-Columbia Rotaract Club, they’re on a mission to give back to the region through a range of charitable activities, including an upcoming bowling fundraiser event. 

“We hope to better the community in any way possible,” said WSU Tri-Cities sophomore Romeo Ross, currently serving as the Rotaract chapter president.

Rotaract clubs are official sub-organizations of Rotary International chapters, aimed at cultivating leadership and service-minded professionalism among young adults, ages 18–30. The Mid-Columbia Rotaract Club is sponsored by the Kennewick-based Columbia Center Rotary, one of five active Rotary clubs in the Tri-Cities.

Ross said he became involved in getting the Rotaract chapter up and running in late 2025 when Rotary member and WSU Tri-Cities donor Phil Ohl pitched the idea to him. Although the Mid-Columbia Rotaract club had been active in years past, the group had effectively dissolved during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving no one left from the chapter’s former membership to carry the mission forward.

“(Phil) gave me a little bit of insight as to what they had done in the past,” Ross said. “The pitch was, ‘This is really big for our community, and we’re looking for someone to revitalize this and serve in this way.’”

Despite his already busy schedule, including serving as vice president for the Associate Students of WSU Tri-Cities, Ross said he agreed immediately.

“I love humanitarian work. I love service projects,” Ross said. “So I said, ‘Of course, I would love to.’”

His first task was to recruit other new members for the chapter who would be just as committed to community service and engaging with people. Fortunately, he didn’t have to look far. As of now, WSU Tri-Cities undergraduate students comprise more than three quarters of the group’s nine-person leadership team, which includes Diedre Cady, freshman; Xavier Cox, sophomore; Felix Galvan, junior; Maria Galvan; Harleen Kaur, freshman; Anas Mohamed, sophomore; Rebecca Sanchez; and Nate Sibaja, sophomore.

Despite the heavy representation of WSU Tri-Cities students, Ross said the makeup of the group is diverse in other ways, with three members hailing from other countries.

“Every individual on the team speaks at least another language,” Ross said, citing Italian, Japanese and Twi as three languages currently represented. “The team is so multifaceted.”

Rotaract members are focusing their efforts on fundraising support for the Prescott School District, which serves approximately 225 children in rural Walla Walla County and has been facing potential dissolution due to financial distress.

Ross said the decision to focus on helping the district was made during the club’s inaugural meeting on Jan. 15, after each new member brought in three ideas for potential service projects and causes. Cox, who grew up in the town of Prescott, was the one who brought the issue to the group’s attention.

“We came to a consensus that this was the most time-sensitive project,” Ross said. “It was a unanimous vote.”

For Ohl, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WSU and currently serves as managing director for the Tri-Cities Angel Alliance, getting young people involved in community service has been a driving passion. He praised the new Rotaract team for getting up and running so quickly.

“Romeo and the new members of Mid-Columbia Rotaract embody the Rotary motto, ‘Service above self,’” Ohl said. “All the members are passionate about our Tri-Cities and surrounding area communities, and I’m excited to get to work with them. The fact the group is Coug-centered is a great bonus.”

The group’s first planned outreach activity is a bowling night fundraiser event from 9:30-11:30 p.m. on March 19 at Atomic Bowl in Richland. All proceeds go to the Prescott School District.

For more information on upcoming events, you can follow Mid-Columbia Rotaract Club on Instagram. Ross said his team is still on the lookout for new members who exhibit ambition, compassion and optimism.

“It’s an amazing opportunity, especially if individuals are interested in community service and leadership,” Ross said. 

WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes Honored As A 2026 Leader Of Distinction (Photo) - 03/09/26

Washington State University Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes has been named a 2026 Leader of Distinction by the WSU President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

The Leader of Distinction awards are presented annually to a select group of WSU faculty, administrators, staff, students, alumni and university partners who have promoted gender equality and championed positive social change. Award winners are selected through an open nomination process and considered based on their exemplary leadership, career achievements, public service and positive contributions to the growth and success of others, including women.

Haynes, who won in the administrator category, joined WSU Tri-Cities in 2018 to serve as the campus’ seventh chancellor. She also currently serves as the interim chancellor for WSU Vancouver. 

“Her work reflects a clear focus on student success, community engagement and expanding opportunities for women and underrepresented groups,” one of the nominating WSU community members wrote to the award committee. “In conversations with industry leaders, donors and community partners, I consistently hear appreciation for Chancellor Haynes’ leadership and presence in the Tri-Cities community. She has strengthened WSU Tri-Cities’ role in the region and aligned the university’s mission with community priorities, creating lasting impact.”

The same nominator praised Haynes for steering campus growth in multiple areas such as increased enrollment, expanded academic programs, capital projects and the creation of WSU Tri-Cities’ Institute for Northwest Energy Futures in 2021.

“She also oversaw the design and construction of Collaboration Hall, a 40,000-square-foot interdisciplinary building that earned national recognition for excellence,” the nominator wrote. “Designed by an all-female architectural team, the project reflects her commitment to advancing women in STEM and leadership roles.”

Haynes earned her Ph.D. in experimental neuropsychology from Colorado State University, where she later re-specialized in counseling psychology, and holds a professorship through WSU’s Department of Psychology. As a first-generation college student, Haynes has demonstrated a career-long commitment to increasing access to higher education through novel programs and community connections—including bridge and teaching pathways programs made in partnership with regional schools and community colleges. Haynes previously received the TRIO First-Generation Champion Award in recognition of such efforts.

Her community leadership has extended beyond the WSU Tri-Cities campus as well. Serving as a board member and immediate past chair of the Tri-City Development Council, Haynes has worked to foster economic growth within the Columbia Basin region. The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business also selected Haynes as one of its 2025 Tri-City People of Influence awardees.

“In every conversation and decision, Chancellor Haynes centers people—students, colleagues and the communities we serve. She consistently models respect, transparency and accountability, creating an environment where others feel empowered to lead, innovate and grow,” another nominator wrote. “Her contributions reach far beyond job responsibilities—they touch lives, open doors and strengthen the future of both WSU Tri-Cities and WSU Vancouver.”

Haynes will be honored alongside eight other 2026 Leader of Distinction winners at a formal awards ceremony on March 26 at the Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center in Pullman, Wash.