Academic Year-End Reflections

At a recent Foley Institute event featuring former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, several community members asked me how the College of Arts and Sciences is doing given all the changes taking place across higher education. I have been reflecting on this question often over the last year. Like many institutions, we are adapting to new realities, but our foundation remains strong. Our mission remains clear, and our work is grounded in what matters most: a commitment to academic access and opportunity, research excellence, and opportunities for our students.

Thanks to your support and partnership, this has been a year of progress and purpose. The examples below offer a few highlights from across the college: 

Research, Scholarship, and Creative Excellence

• National Leadership in Shock Physics – The Institute for Shock Physics received a $32.5 million cooperative agreement renewal from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration to continue advancing discovery-class research in dynamic compression science. The five-year award supports WSU’s management of the Dynamic Compression Sector at Argonne National Laboratory and expands the Shock Wave Academic Partnership, positioning the university at the forefront of national efforts to train the next generation of scientists. 
• Exploring Climate Solutions – WSU Tri-Cities Professor Sarah Roley received a grant from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to study greenhouse gas emissions from beaver dam ponds, supporting research at the intersection of ecology and sustainability.
• Exploring Community Health Solutions – Psychology Associate Professor Carrie Cuttler is leading new research on the potential of hemp-derived cannabinoids to relieve menopause symptoms, expanding public understanding of cannabis and health. Read more about this work.
• Pushing the Boundaries of Chemistry – Assistant Professor Ivan Popov co-authored a groundbreaking paper in Nature Chemistry describing the first molecular praseodymium complex in the +5 oxidation state—an advancement that links lanthanide chemistry with broader redox science.
• Recognizing Artistic Excellence – Instructor and WSU MFA alum Mana Mehrabian and Diamond Beverly-Porter, assistant professor in the Department of Digital Technology and Culture, each received a prestigious Artist Trust Fellowship Award, one of Washington State’s most competitive honors for practicing professional artists. The $10,000 merit-based awards recognize exceptional talent and commitment to artistic practice. Learn more about Mana’s and Diamond’s work. 

Teaching Excellence

• Bringing History to Life – History faculty members Ryan Booth and Katy Whelan led their classes to Walla Walla for a field trip on Saturday, March 1, which featured guided presentations by the National Park Service on how exhibits and interpretive signs are utilized to relate the complex histories of the sites. Read more about this history field excursion.
• Advancing Conversations on Teaching – The Department of Mathematics and Statistics hosted its 7th Annual Long Lecture, featuring Dr. Daniel Jeske from the University of California, Riverside, on how artificial intelligence can help mitigate bias in student evaluations of teaching. Designed for a general audience, the public lecture was paired with a faculty and student colloquium, continuing the department’s tradition of accessible and timely exploration of teaching and learning.

Student Success

• Honoring Student Achievement – Six of WSU’s 2025 Top Ten Seniors are students from the College of Arts and Sciences, recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement. Meet this year’s honorees.
• Showcasing Graduate Students – Three PhD students took top honors in the College of Arts and Sciences’ 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) qualifying round: Shamila Gopalakrishnan (Chemistry), Desmond Aboagye (Plant Biology), and Nazua Idris (English). Shamila’s winning presentation focused on smart drug delivery systems for ocular and brain diseases. Read more about the 2025 contestants.
• Paying It Forward – Charles and Shauna Weatherby, two alumni and longtime donors, are working to ensure that tomorrow’s medical providers are supported today. By mentoring and supporting scholarships for students pursuing healthcare careers, they are guiding and stewarding the next wave of community practitioners. Read more about these two inspiring Cougs.

Community Engagement

• Fostering Civic Engagement – Hundreds of community members and students engaged with national and local leaders through Foley Institute, reinforcing our role as a space for meaningful and non-partisan dialogue. Watch the 2025 inspiring Public Service Award program. 
• Preserving Digital Culture – WSU Vancouver Professor Dene Grigar delivered a TEDx Talk on preserving digital literature, spotlighting the importance of archiving born-digital works. 
• Showcasing Regional Stories – Associate Professor Michael Holloman curated a well-received exhibit on photographer Frank S. Matsura at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon, and will soon publish a companion book on Matsura’s life and legacy. 

We’re grateful to have you alongside us as we continue this important work. Your engagement, philanthropic support, and advocacy help us stay focused on what matters most—our students.

Sincerely,

Courtney Meehan
Dean