Richland, WA - Mark Schuster has a lofty goal for Washington State University Tri-Cities and its status in the region. 

“I literally want every business in the Tri-Cities to know about what we’re doing here,” he says. 

It’s a fitting objective for the Richland native, Cougar alum, and former Lamb Weston executive, who joins WSU Tri-Cities this month as the director of industry connected programs. As part of his newly created position, Schuster will help oversee two industry-focused programs — the Career Center and Cougar Tracks. 

The Career Center, located in the Learning Commons area of the Consolidated Information Center, serves as a campus resource for students looking to advance their hiring potential through a range of tailored services and events. The center also connects students with job, internship and cooperative education (co-op) opportunities, which is one key area Schuster seeks to expand upon. 

“We want every student in the Tri-Cities campus who wants an internship or business-related job before they graduate to get one, because internships do lead to careers,” Schuster says. “How can we best let the business community know that we have this tremendous pool of talented students who want to work for them?” 

Cougar Tracks is WSU Tri-Cities’ continuing education and workforce development program, offering workshops and customized training programs — both for businesses and independent learners — aimed at equipping students with in-demand market skills that will differentiate them from other job seekers. Courses are offered in a variety of online and in-person delivery formats. 

“The goal of Cougar Tracks is to really go hand-in-hand with the business community: What does the business community want and need from continuing education?” Schuster says.  

Prior to joining WSU Tri-Cities, Schuster spent close to 30 years in various management and executive leadership positions at frozen-foods manufacturer Lamb Weston, working at various facilities in the Tri-Cities region and abroad. After getting his start in factory floor management, Schuster became involved in corporate finance and sales, eventually overseeing global manufacturing and supply chain logistics as the company expanded its overseas operations. 

In addition to his role at Lamb Weston, Schuster recently served as a board member for the Tri-City Development Council and the Association of Washington Business, advocating business-friendly policies at the local, state and national levels. 

“He knows this area and he understands the business and industry side of things, so we’re very excited to have him,” says Kate McAteer, WSU Tri-Cities vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. “We’ve got someone coming in who has led and developed successful teams in the industry.” 

Schuster also comes to the Tri-Cities campus as a lifelong Cougar fan, having graduated with a business degree from the Pullman campus in 1995. In the three decades since his graduation, Schuster has given back to his alma mater in several capacities, leading numerous fundraising activities, athletic events, and serving as a board member and past president for the WSU Alumni Association, among other things.  

“Anytime WSU knocks on my door, I've answered it. And that will not change,” Schuster says.  

While his aim to connect with every Tri-Cities business may be ambitious, Schuster acknowledges it’s not something he plans to accomplish all on his own, and he encourages other Cougs and community members to get involved with what’s happening on campus, noting the need for career mentors, coaches, internship providers and more. 

“I want you to have that feeling of, ‘Hey, how can I help drive the mission forward? How can I help those students right now?’” he says. “Remember what it’s like to be in those shoes and then think about how can I — as a Coug, or a Tri-Citian, or a business owner, or a business member — help that group succeed?”