WSU’s Division of Student Affairs plans to make it easier for students to find and access university resources in the upcoming fall semester.
Earlier in the month, Student Affairs leaders met with ASWSU leaders to discuss ways to communicate information to students more effectively. Kim Holapa, associate vice president of WSU’s External Engagement and Strategic Initiatives, said the meeting allowed student leaders to propose changes they would like to see.
“The meeting itself was great,” Holapa said. “We always really appreciate student feedback and letting us know what is and what’s not working for students.”
She said Student Affairs plans to incorporate ASWSU leaders’ suggestions to make resources more accessible, including enhancing click and search engine optimization. Plans to improve SEO, consolidate information and update all the Student Affairs website pages were already underway.
April 7, 2021
By Beverly Makhani
Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA)
Washington State University senior Lauren Doll has been selected to receive the institution’s annual Student Employee of the Year award, according to an announcement by the Academic Success and Career Services (ASCC) office.
“Our selection committee was impressed by the qualities Lauren brings to her job as communications assistant for College Access Programs (CAP) in the Office of Academic Engagement (OAE),” said Alena Hume, student employment coordinator in ASCC. Hume coordinates the annual search for the top student employee and leads the committee charged with the final selection.
April 5, 2021
Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA)
What do budgeting, college payment options, credit ratings, home buying, and salary negotiations have in common? They are all topics to be explored by experts throughout the month of April as part of National Financial Literacy Month at Washington State University.
“Across the university, several programs are interested in helping students and others to understand and promote their financial well-being, and taking part in National Financial Literacy Month is a great way to combine forces to deliver powerful and helpful messaging,” said Kelly Demand, director of College Affordability Programs in the Office of Academic Engagement (OAE). OAE is part of the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President.
One WSU senior counted on a Pell Grant to cover a chunk of her tuition, like in previous years. However, when she looked over her financial aid package this semester, she still had a $4,000 bill to pay.
In a panic, Khadijah Butler filled out a special circumstance appeal online through the WSU Student Financial Services Office. It was rejected because her mother and father’s incomes were higher in 2020 than in 2019, even though they both have been unemployed for months.
“I always get emails about how the school is supporting us,” said Butler, WSU senior English pre-law major. “I just wish we had actual resources. It just feels like everything is so topical.”
February 26, 2021
Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA)
Whether pre-college or currently enrolled students or alumni, participants in federally funded TRIO programs at Washington State University are unanimous in their appreciation of how the programs support their success.
“My first week of classes this fall was pretty overwhelming, so when I went to my first (TRIO) meeting where there were people supporting me, I couldn’t have been more grateful for that experience,” said first-year student Sebastian Sanders, an ambassador for the Teacher Prep Student Support Services (SSS) program, formerly ATLAS.
“The Cougs Rise (TRIO Upward Bound) program has given me great mentoring from a currently enrolled WSU student for the past three years who checks in with me frequently about grades, helped me build a vision board and set goals for this year, and answers my questions about college classes,” said Alejandra Pulido, a senior at Bremerton High School