Welcome new faculty

The Office of Academic Affairs would like to introduce new faculty members joining us this fall. Welcome!

College of Arts and Sciences

• Narayanan "Nanu" Iyer, clinical associate professor
• Marc Kramer, assistant professor
• Ben Ladd, assistant professor
• Jonah Piovia-Scott, assistant professor
• Stephanie Porter, assistant professor

Carson College of Business

• Nischala Reddy, clinical assistant professor
• Rohny Saylors, assistant professor
• Li Xu, assistant professor

School of Engineering and Computer Science

• Hua Tan, assistant professor
• Xuechen Zhang, assistant professor

Library

• Karen Diller, director

College of Nursing

• Andra Davis, assistant professor
• Rochelle "Shelly" Fritz, assistant professor
• Anita Hunter, clinical professor
• Connie Nguyen-Truong, assistant professor
• Catherine Van Son, associate professor

SW Washington MESA hires Debbie Blas

Debbie Blas has been named director of Southwest Washington Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement. She has been serving as interim director since March.

The School of Engineering and Computer Science houses the SW Washington MESA program. MESA is recognized nationally for its innovative and effective academic development program that supports STEM education and equity for students. Its mission is to provide a pathway to college and careers in the STEM fields for traditionally underrepresented students.

Under Debbie’s leadership, the SW Washington MESA team from Jason Lee Middle School won first place at the national MESA competition in June. See “In the News” in this edition of FYI for more information.

Debbie previously served as a project coordinator in the School of Engineering and Computer Science. Prior to coming to Vancouver she worked in higher education in California.

“Debbie brings excellent experience and strong skills to this position. She has been working with underrepresented students for the past eight years, and has great enthusiasm for continuing that work in her new position,” said Renny Christopher, vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Counseling Services and Access Center has moved

The Counseling Services and Access Center has moved from the lower level of the Multimedia Classroom Building to the Classroom Building, Room 160. The new space is more private which allows for a safe, therapeutic environment and the addition of group counseling and workshops. Access Center Testing Services are consolidated in the space as well.

Enjoy the Back to School Barbecue

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 4:30 – 6 p.m. Aug. 26
Quad

Faculty and staff are invited to join students for a free back-to-school Hawaiian barbecue lunch. A number of additional activities will take place that day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the quad.

If you would like to volunteer to staff the lunch or activities, please contact Craig Shefcheck, intramural intern.

Celebrate the life and legacy of President Floyd

3 p.m. Aug. 26
Via AMS in the Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110

Please join in celebrating the life of one of Washington state’s greatest leaders for higher education, and a nationally respected voice for higher education access and affordability, the late WSU President Elson S. Floyd.

The service will be broadcast from Beasley Coliseum in Pullman. Renny Christopher, vice chancellor for academic affairs, will welcome guests and make a few remarks before the service.

You’re invited to the fall State of the Campus Address

4 p.m. Aug. 27
Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110
Reception to follow at 5 p.m.

Chancellor Mel Netzhammer invites all faculty and staff to attend the fall State of the Campus Address. Come to learn about strategic planning, the enrollment growth plan, budget and more. Celebrate the end of the successful $1 billion Campaign for WSU. Acknowledge the nominees for the Chancellor’s Award for Staff Excellence and give a shout out to the 2014/15 recipient.

Stay for the reception at 5 p.m. in the Dengerink Administration Building, Rooms 129/130. Mingle with your colleagues, and enjoy beverages and hors d’oeuvres. RSVP to Holly Clark.

Come see a movie under the stars

8 p.m. Aug. 28
Behind the Multimedia Classroom Building
 
Faculty, staff, students, friends and family are invited to come see “The Goonies” outdoors on the lawn. There is no cost to attend. The movie will begin at dusk. Bring your low-back lawn chairs and blankets.

Reserve your table for the Involvement Fair

11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Sept. 2 and 3
Outdoors in the Quad

The Involvement Fair brings together active student organizations, departments and other groups that offer students opportunities for involvement, employment, etc. If your department would like to table at the Involvement Fair, RSVP for table space by Aug. 28. Please contact Phil Babcock, student involvement specialist, if you have any questions.

This is your brain on art

Bill Griesar, instructor/outreach coordinator in the College or Arts and Sciences, and Jeff Leake, outreach coordinator in the College or Arts and Sciences, are featured in a video, “Your Brain on Art Museums” by the Portland Art Museum. This comes just in time for their new course on the subject, Neuroscience 150: Art and the Brain.

The carved watermelon brain pictured above was created for an outreach event held on campus this summer.