EVERETT. Wash. – Feb. 22, 2018 – Nella Ludlow has been named director of the interdisciplinary data analytics undergraduate degree program for Washington State University (WSU). Ludlow, who is based at WSU Everett, is a clinical professor in computer science with a background in artificial intelligence research and real-world data technology.

Prior to joining the WSU faculty in 2016, Ludlow served as a U.S. Air Force scientist for 16 years. Her assignments included working at two national laboratories in information technology and medical/human factors, and as an assistant professor at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. After retiring from the military, she successfully led three technology research companies, one of which won $35M in military research and development contracts in less than a decade.

Ludlow earned dual bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and physical sciences at WSU Pullman, completed a master’s in computer science at Wright State University, and received her Ph.D. in artificial intelligence from the University of Edinburgh. She completed her post-doctoral studies at Cambridge University.

“Nella’s public- and private-sector experience have made her an incredible resource to our students in Everett,” Chancellor Paul Pitre said. “She will capably serve WSU students and industry partners for WSU system-wide.”

The WSU data analytics program is offered jointly by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture at three WSU campuses: Pullman, Everett and Global. Ludlow is in Pullman regularly to teach hybrid courses, including this semester’s Professional Skills in Computing and Engineering (CPTS 302) course.

The advisory board for the program boasts big data leaders from The Boeing Company, Microsoft, Tableau Software, Google, Informatica, Moss Adams, Matisia and PEMCO Insurance.

 

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Feb. 13, 2018 – Four mechanical engineering students from Washington State University Everett represented WSU Tuesday at Undergraduate Research Day in Olympia.

They joined delegations from the University of Washington, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, Central Washington University and the Evergreen State College to present their research projects and answer questions in the Capitol rotunda. Representing WSU were students Ryan Durkoop, Megan Stanavitch, Alex Reeves and Matthew Miller.

Their senior capstone project has attempted to test whether the recently opened academic building on the campus has been as energy and water efficient as hoped and recommend improvements.

Building efficiency amenities include a rooftop solar array, the utilization of rainwater for use in and around the building to reduce the amount of water drawn from the municipal water system and the utilization of excess heat from the data center to augment building heating systems.

The students are making use of hundreds of different data points to determine whether the building is performing as advertised. Early indications are positive.

“It matches very closely,” Durkoop said.

In addition, students are studying the merits of utilizing a neural network to incorporate a form of artificial intelligence to predict when energy use could be curtailed. For instance, a heated classroom may need to be cooled once it is filled with students. But if class time were anticipated heating and cooling costs could be mitigated.

“We’re basically trying to put Siri in the building,” Stanavitch said.

Students started their day with a welcome from Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib in the Senate Rules Room. They then took to the Senate gallery to watch the Senate take up Senate Resolution 8683 to recognize undergraduate research. You can view video of the proceeding below.

They then made a quick visit to the Senate wings where they were greeted by Sen. Kevin Ranker, the chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and resolution sponsor. From there they took their posts in the rotunda, answering questions about their research from legislators, lobbyists and other passers by.

Video of Senate Resolution 8683 can be viewed at this link.

 

 

 

Feb. 2, 2018 – This week Chancellor Paul Pitre joined the ‘Live In Everett’ podcast to talk about WSU Everett, opportunities for the city and region and what Everett needs most (spoiler alert: it’s a basketball team).

Listen to the half-hour podcast on LiveInEverett.com at this link.

EVERETT, Wash. – Jan. 24, 2018 – Washington State University (WSU) Everett announced that Dr. Mark Beattie has been appointed associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, effective Jan. 1.

As vice chancellor, Beattie will be the key point of contact for maintaining and strengthening the connection between academic programs, admissions, recruitment and student services. Beattie will continue his role as clinical assistant professor and program coordinator within the Carson College of Business part-time.

“Mark brings tremendous experience and a broad skillset to our academic affairs team that includes building academic partnerships and student engagement,” WSU Everett chancellor Paul Pitre said. “In more than three years at WSU Everett, Mark has consistently gone above and beyond to actively engage with our students. His new efforts will support our mission to provide a transformative undergraduate experience to our students.”

Beattie has been a professor at WSU since 2014, taught at Gonzaga from 2004-2014 and has taught and researched internationally in Switzerland, Malawi and Tanzania. He has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Beattie earned a doctorate in leadership studies at Gonzaga University and an undergraduate degree in hospitality business management at Washington State University.

“It is an honor to serve the students, faculty and staff at WSU Everett as we work together to fulfill WSU’s promise to this community and our state.” Beattie said.

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Contact: Randy Bolerjack, WSU Everett

Just shy of 100 WSU students gathered in Olympia today for their annual Coug Day at the Capitol event, with all six university campuses represented.

The day of advocacy is organized by the Associated Students of Washington State University and allows an opportunity for students to meet with state lawmakers and discuss higher education priorities.

Follow the day’s events on Twitter with the hashtag #CougDay2018.

 

On Jan. 17, the WSU Edward R. Murrow College of Communication hosted Washington state’s chief privacy officer in an event at WSU Everett. Read about the presentation on the WaTech blog, home of Washington’s technology services agency, and watch the video below through Facebook.

 

 

 

 

 

Last night, we were all hit with the heartbreaking news that a member of the Cougar family took their own life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hilinski family, teammates and coaches of WSU Football and the rest of Cougar Nation. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with depression, anxiety and stress, or may be otherwise at risk, please reach out to WSU Everett staff or the support lines below:

WSU 24-Hour Line: 509-334-1133
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

At WSU Everett, you can refer to the Student CARE Committee and a linked guide for resources at this link: everett.wsu.edu/CARE

Dec. 6, 2017 – WSU medical school students met with regional policy-makers in Vancouver and Everett last week for an opportunity to get to know one another and talk about how the inaugural class of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (ESFCOM) is doing as students near the completion of their first semester of studies.

Policy-makers had the opportunity to learn about some of the journeys that brought the diverse inaugural class to the ESFCOM and ask questions about their experiences with the community-based medical school thus far, as well as their hopes for the future as doctors practicing in Washington State. It also allowed the students to engage some of the elected leaders, and their staff, that made it possible for the university to pursue accreditation and that provided necessary funding to support 60 first year and 60 second year medical students at WSU.

Students expressed repeated appreciation to legislators for the opportunity they are being afforded. Referring to the culture of the college, one student said, “It’s like a family. I’m really grateful every day to be a part of that.” Others spoke to how they were attracted by the college’s mission to increase access to health care in challenging health care environments. “It just aligned so well with all the things I was so passionate about. I’m so grateful,” shared another student.

The event took place during the college’s second intersession. As part of their first two years of studies, medical students spend three week-long intersessions per year at their assigned clinical campuses in Everett, Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver to become integrated in those regional health care and greater communities. These established WSU campuses provide the necessary infrastructure and services to support the 15 inaugural medical students assigned to each location. In their third and fourth years of medical school, the students will study full time at their clinical campus and train in regional affiliate clinics and hospitals.

The university plans to hold similar events in Spokane and Tri-Cities during the next intersession, scheduled for spring, to allow policy-makers and medical students in those regions a similar opportunity.

EVERETT, Wash. – Western Washington residents now have the option to earn a Washington State University degree in organic agriculture in their own back yard.

Starting spring semester 2018, WSU will offer an organic agriculture major at the WSU Everett campus.

“There are a lot of people who have families, jobs or other factors that keep them from moving across the state to eastern Washington,” said John Reganold, WSU Regents Professor of Soil Science and Agroecology. “This allows them to get their degree without moving and to learn from our world-class teachers and researchers.”

Courses will be taught in-person or via videoconference by WSU faculty from the Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center, WSU Pullman, and other sites statewide.

Community college coordination

“Washington, the number two producer of organic food in the United States, has the right climate, great farmland and farmers who love growing delicious, nutritious crops,” Reganold said.

What’s more, students can start the degree program at Everett Community College. WSU recently signed an agreement with the community college that allows students to study there for two years and then transition to the WSU organic ag program to earn a bachelor’s degree through the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resources.

WSU is working on similar agreements with other community colleges in the state, providing students a smooth transition into the WSU Everett program. All these efforts add up to greater access for students and more skilled graduates for Washington agriculture.

“This program expands the potential to provide trained graduates to support and expand the vibrant organic agriculture industry in western Washington,” said Desmond Layne, director of WSU’s Agricultural and Food Systems and Integrated Plant Sciences degree programs. “The possibility of more linkages with industry for student education, research and outreach is all excellent.”

More research, outreach

For farmers on the west side of Washington, the degree program spells more research and outreach as well. WSU received funding from the Washington state Legislature to enable the expanded organic ag major and to ensure the robustness of agricultural teaching, research and extension in Western Washington.

“In addition to the degree program offering, the Legislature’s investment will result in more research and outreach to support farmers in Western Washington,” said Chad Kruger, director of the Mount Vernon Research and Extension Center. “There is a double benefit for Western Washington agriculture: access to more employees with a WSU education and more research to help solve the ongoing problems facing westside agriculture.”

 

To learn more about the WSU Organic Agriculture Systems major, visit: http://cahnrs.wsu.edu/about/org-ag.

Contacts:

• Chad Kruger, director Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center, 360-416-5222, cekruger@wsu.edu

Nov. 3, 2017 – Provost Dan Bernardo is delighted to recognize professors  Jacob Murray and Sena Clara Creston as Provost’s Featured Faculty Members for the Nov. 4 football game against Stanford.

Murray is a clinical assistant professor and program coordinator for the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at WSU Everett.

“It’s an honor to work for WSU, being able to help build a brand-new campus and teach courses that I am passionate about is a dream come true,” Murray says. “It has been an excellent experience helping to shape a program from the ground up and bringing more crimson and gray to the west side of Washington.”

Creston is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Fine Arts at WSU Tri-Cities.

“As a professor, I value the opportunity to work with students from diverse backgrounds that are professionally oriented and creatively motivated,” she says. “My initiative working on interdisciplinary art projects has been embraced by multiple colleges and units on campus resulting in three major projects: The Umbrellaship, The Huminal and The Machinescape.”