WSU Tri-Cities To Host Annual Halloween Fest Community Celebration On Oct. 30 - 10/22/26

RICHLAND, Wash. — The Student Entertainment Board at Washington State University Tri-Cities is inviting students, families, and community members to celebrate the fall season during its annual Halloween Fest from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30.

The free, family-friendly event will be held in the Consolidated Information Center (CIC) parking lot, located at 2770 Crimson Way. Organizers encourage all attendees to wear costumes.

This year's festival features a lineup of seasonal activities designed for all ages, including:

• Trunk or Treat: Providing a safe environment for children to collect free candy.
• Haunted Hall: Offering frights and thrills for brave visitors.
• Face Painting: Providing complimentary festive face painting on-site.
• Tom's Coffee Truck: Serving beverages and snacks to help attendees warm up during the evening event.

All community members are welcome to attend. For more information regarding campus events and updates, visit tricities.wsu.edu.

WSU Tri-Cities Welcomes Public For Día De Los Muertos Community Celebration (Photo) - 10/20/26

RICHLAND — Members of the public are invited to attend a Día de los Muertos celebration from 5 – 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus. The community event is hosted by the WSU Tri-Cities MOSAIC Center, in partnership with LULAC Tri-Cities Council and the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. A variety of activities will be open for all ages, including arts and crafts, live entertainment and more.

The annual event celebrates the rich cultural traditions of Día de los Muertos, a holiday observed throughout Mexico and many Latin American communities to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. Through art, music, food and community engagement, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and participate in this meaningful tradition.

Guests can participate in Día de los Muertos-themed crafts, enjoy face painting provided by Auntie EM’s, capture memories at a themed photo booth and sample complimentary conchas, churros and hot chocolate. Food will also be available for purchase from Stacks Mobile Bistro. A highlight of the evening will be a special performance by the Kennewick High School ballet folklórico team, showcasing traditional dance and cultural expression.

A community altar will also be provided for attendees to honor their loved ones. Guests who wish to do so are invited to bring photos and cherished items to place on the altar.

“This event provides an opportunity for our campus and community to come together in celebration, remembrance and cultural appreciation,” said Rayven Kilmer, MOSAIC retention counselor for WSU Tri-Cities. “We are excited to welcome everyone for an evening that honors tradition while strengthening community connections.”

Event activities will take place at the Student Union Building of the WSU Tri-Cities campus, located at 2710 Crimson Way in Richland.

WSU GEAR UP Receives $42 Million To Expand College And Career Readiness Support Across Washington School Districts - 10/13/26

RICHLAND, WA — Washington State University GEAR UP has been awarded two new seven-year federal grants to help students across Washington prepare for success in high school, college and beyond. 

Totaling approximately $42 million in renewed funding, the awards will provide $6 million annually to support long-term partnerships between WSU GEAR UP and 18 school districts throughout the state. Through those partnerships, students and families will receive academic and career planning support beginning in middle school and continuing through high school graduation.

GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a federally funded initiative that helps students from economically disadvantaged schools overcome educational and financial barriers to career success.

“These grants represent an investment in the future of Washington students and communities,” said Jennifer Guerra, interim program director for WSU GEAR UP Harvest of Hope. “Through sustained partnerships with schools and families, we can help more students discover opportunities, build confidence in their abilities and develop a clear plan for achieving their goals after graduation.”

Through WSU GEAR UP, students at partnering schools gain access to services and programming aimed at academic preparation, college and career exploration, financial aid and financial literacy, postsecondary planning, student leadership experiences and more. GEAR UP staff also seek to provide opportunities for students to experience colleges and career pathways firsthand.

The multi-year structure of the grant funding allows WSU GEAR UP to work alongside students throughout the critical years of educational decision-making. By providing consistent support over time, the program helps students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to pursue their goals after high school.

The two awards include the Harvest of Hope 6 grant, which provides $4.1 million annually and supports the following districts: 

• College Place School District 
• Highland School District 
• Kennewick School District 
• Moses Lake School District 
• Othello School District 
• Soap Lake School District 
• Walla Walla School District 
• Warden School District 

The One Vision Partnership 7 grant provides $1.9 million annually and supports: 

• Clarkston School District 
• Columbia-Burbank School District 
• Davenport School District 
• Ephrata School District 
• Finley School District 
• Kiona-Benton School District 
• Mabton School District 
• North Franklin School District 
• Pasco School District 
• Prosser School District 

WSU’s GEAR UP program is administered at the WSU Tri-Cities campus in Richland. 

Media Alert: WSU Tri-Cities Education Summit Brings Regional Educators Together For Professional Learning And Innovation - 10/07/26

What:
WSU Tri-Cities Education Summit

When:
Saturday, Oct. 10
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where:
WSU Tri-Cities Consolidated Information Center
2770 University Drive, Richland, WA

Who:
More than 150 educators, administrators and education professionals from across the region are registered to attend. The keynote speaker is Gabriela Whitemarsh, Washington's 2026 Teacher of the Year, who teaches in the Pasco School District. The summit is sponsored by STCU and Battelle.

Media Opportunities:
Media are invited to attend and interview keynote speaker Gabriela Whitemarsh, regional educators, WSU Tri-Cities faculty and event organizers about emerging trends, challenges and innovations shaping K-12 education.

Why:
The WSU Tri-Cities Education Summit is a premier professional development event for teachers and school administrators, providing timely training, networking opportunities and continuing education credits. This year's program focuses on some of the most pressing topics in education, including:

• K-12 STEAM education enrichment and workforce connections
• Artificial intelligence in education, featuring presentations from Taiwan university partners and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory experts
• Social work and social-emotional support strategies for educators

The summit highlights innovative approaches to teaching and learning while fostering collaboration among educators from throughout the Mid-Columbia region.

Note to Assignment Editors: Interviews can be arranged before and during the event with keynote speakers, organizers and participating educators.

WSU Tri-Cities Career And Internship Fair Connects Job Seekers With Regional Employers - 10/06/26

RICHLAND, WA — Students and community members looking to launch or advance their careers will have the opportunity to connect directly with regional employers at the Washington State University Tri-Cities Career and Internship Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 21. The event will be held in the Consolidated Information Center on the WSU Tri-Cities campus.

Hosted in partnership with WorkSource and Columbia Basin College, the event will bring together employers representing a variety of industries. Participating organizations include Bechtel, Central Plateau Cleanup Company, Energy Northwest, Gesa Credit Union, Hanford Tank Waste Operations and Closure, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and others.

Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their resumes and be prepared to speak with recruiters about current openings and internship opportunities.

“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,” said John Navarro, WSU Tri-Cities Career Center coordinator. “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.”

The fair is open to both students and members of the public. Employers interested in reserving a booth must register by Oct. 16.

For additional information, including registration details for employers and attendees, visit tricities.wsu.edu/event/fall-2026-career-internship-fair.

MEDIA ALERT: WSU Tri-Cities To Host Cougar Football Watch Party Oct. 17 - 10/06/26

What:

• WSU Tri-Cities invites the Tri-Cities community, alumni, faculty, staff and students to campus to watch the Washington State Cougars take on the Oregon State Beavers. The game will be shown outdoors on a giant LED screen. An indoor viewing option is also available.
• Festivities include food vendors, a children's play area and for guests 21 and older, a beer garden. WSU’s mascot, Butch T. Cougar will join fans to cheer on the Cougs.
• The event is free to attend and perfect for Cougs of all ages.
• Registration is requested: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wsu-cougars-football-outdoor-watch-party-hosted-by-wsu-tri-cities-tickets-1998553211455?aff=oddtdtcreator
• More than 400 attendees are expected.

When:

• Saturday, Oct. 17. The venue opens at 2 p.m.; kickoff is at 3 p.m.

Where:

• WSU Tri-Cities
  2710 Crimson Way, Richland, WA 99354
  On the lawn between Collaboration Hall, the Consolidated Information Center and the Biological and Environmental Science Laboratory.

Why:

• The event offers opportunities to capture video and photos of local Cougs gathering for game day and enjoying family-friendly activities.

Media Contact:

• Please contact Leslie.Streeter@wsu.edu or call or text 209-606-9144. She can assist with interview opportunities and event logistics.

WSU Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks Launches AI Readiness Workshop For Small Businesses - 10/05/26

RICHLAND, WA – Washington State University Tri-Cities’ Cougar Tracks program is launching a practical workshop for small business professionals to learn how to use AI safely, ethically and competitively. AI Readiness for Small Business takes place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 27 on the WSU Tri-Cities campus in the Elson S. Floyd Building, Room 145.

The three-hour, in-person session will provide hands-on training in identifying what customer, financial and business information is safe to put into AI tools. Participants will also build a one-page AI policy for their team and develop an AI action plan to help their business adapt and stay ahead of competitors.

Cougar Tracks Director Michelle Hrycauk Nassif emphasized the program’s role in helping local, small businesses move forward with confidence instead of confusion.

“AI is moving faster than most small business owners can track,” Hrycauk Nassif said. “This workshop cuts through the noise, showing Tri-Cities small business owners, managers and professionals exactly what is changing, what it means for their business and how they can adapt.”

Led by AI governance and strategy expert Neelam Chahlia, senior technical program manager in the cybersecurity team at T-Mobile, the workshop is designed to equip local professionals with the skills to harness artificial intelligence responsibly and effectively in their industries.

Chahlia views AI literacy as a core competency for the modern business owner.

“AI is no longer a future skill; it’s a now skill. The professionals and organizations who learn to integrate AI strategically and ethically will be the ones driving innovation in the coming decade,” Chahlia said. “My goal is to empower participants to not only understand the technology but to apply it in ways that create value, safeguard data and uphold the highest professional standards.”

The AI Readiness for Small Business workshop is open to business owners and managers across sectors, including retail, services and non-profits. The cost to attend is $99 and includes access to WSU computers for barrier-free learning. Register to attend at bit.ly/CTWORKSHOPS.

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About Cougar Tracks
Cougar Tracks, the continuing education and workforce training division of WSU Tri-Cities, develops responsive, industry-informed programs that strengthen the regional workforce and drive economic vitality. From leadership development to technical certifications, Cougar Tracks partners with industry to design targeted solutions for evolving business needs.