Data scientists are critical to industries on the cutting edge of technology. Data analytics students acquire skills to create, analyze, manage and explore incredibly complex data and communicate past and future trends to solve real-world problems.
Graduates in the field are some of the best positioned among their peers to add value immediately when they are hired and see growth in the early days of their career.
Haylie Murray, among the first Washington State University graduates in the field, hopes to be an example for future data analytics, mathematics and computer science students.
She’s already setting a high bar from the WSU Everett campus. The 21-year-old native of Camano Island, Wash., has been named WSU’s Outstanding Senior in the data analytics program. “There is a sense of accomplishment in being the part of the first graduating class in data analytics,” she said.
During the summer, Murray’s internship with EagleView in Bellevue allowed her to explore a company that provides technology to apply aerial images and machine learning to build predictive models. “I was tasked with the StormAI project where I would utilize a neural network to determine if a building was damaged by a hurricane or wild fire,” Murray said. “The coolest experience was having my model accurately predict outcomes after months of constant work.”
The journey to data scientist
Murray earned her associate degree at Everett Community College, utilizing the 2+2 model that the college and WSU Everett developed to make a bachelor’s degree more affordable to students and to maximize the efficiency and effective of the community college experience.
She chose the data analytics program because of her interest in machine learning, mathematics and computer science. “Data analytics sits perfectly in the middle of mathematics and computer science,” she said.
“My favorite part about attending EvCC and WSU Everett is the students I’ve met, and the amazing faculty and staff here at the Everett campus. It feels welcoming here, and I feel a part of the school. I love the comradery among the different disciplines,” Murray said. That interdisciplinary focus is a hallmark of the Everett campus and includes merged coursework between business, communication and STEM students.
She also grew because of one-on-one support from program faculty and staff, crediting program director Dr. Nella Ludlow for guiding her into the world of data science, and academic coordinator Anna McLeod for helping to keep Murray on track within the program, even with a busy extracurricular life outside of the classroom.
“WSU Everett has provided me a place to make friends with other programs such as the Voiland College’s electrical, mechanical and software engineering, the Murrow College’s communication program and the Carson College business program. Being surrounded by others with different backgrounds helped me be more open to other ideas,” Murray said. “I also had a job in information technology support at WSU Everett, and they helped guide me in understanding some of the hardware behind computers.”
Murray’s senior capstone team developed a data science project for United Airlines. The project required a trip to one of their facilities in San Francisco and concluded with her team presenting directly to executives from the airline at the headquarters in Chicago.
With all of these experiences, Murray was put into a position to challenge herself. “A lot of problem solving comes down to pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and trying new things,” she said. “You cannot be afraid of failing. Sometimes you need to fail in order to succeed. Every failure gets you one step closer to the solution.”
Into a new career
After graduation from WSU Everett in May 2019, she will return to EagleView as a full-time data scientist. “First I will be working with them on creating new models in computer vision and object detection,” she said.
“At WSU Everett I met people in a setting where the program is close-knit. It allowed me to be more personable with my classmates since we had almost every other class with each another.”
The data analytics major is offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture in WSU Everett, Global Campus, WSU Pullman and WSU Vancouver. Learn more about the program and apply here.
PULLMAN, Wash. — More than 5,500 students are expected to graduate from Washington State University campuses statewide this spring, with a record number planning to participate in commencement exercises set for May 2, 3, 4 and 11.
Of the total, more than 4,700 are earning undergraduate degrees from WSU’s six campuses and nearly 800 are graduating with either master’s or doctoral degrees. Exact numbers won’t be available until after spring semester finals.
“Commencement is always a great reminder of our core mission: to prepare students for success in their professional and personal lives,” said WSU President Kirk Schulz. “The WSU system is doing an outstanding job of graduating students who are ready to contribute to the economy and to communities statewide and beyond.”
Global Campus graduates participate at the campus of their choice. Commencement plans differ on each campus and some of the university’s colleges host their own ceremonies. Here’s a look at the plans across the WSU system.
-
WSU Everett
The Everett campus will graduate 116. Commencement is set for 2 p.m. May 11 in the Everett Community College Walt Price Fitness Center, 2206 Tower St. Chancellor Paul Pitre will preside.
The graduates will walk from WSU Everett to the adjacent Everett Community College in a processional escorted by police.
More information is available at the WSU Everett commencement website.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Randy Bolerjack, director for communications and public relations, 206‑313‑8668, randy.bolerjack@wsu.edu.
-
WSU Pullman
About 3,500 students are expected to graduate and nearly 3,200 — more than ever — are planning to participate in the daylong Pullman campus commencement Saturday, May 4. Ceremonies will take place in Beasley Coliseum at 8 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to accommodate the large number of graduates.
Each of the ceremonies will feature graduates from WSU’s different colleges. Schulz will confer degrees at all three ceremonies, which are open to the public and no tickets are required. Video of the proceedings will be streamed live for online viewing. The videostream will be archived for later viewing as well.
More information about commencement parking, accommodations and the breakdown on which colleges will be featured at each ceremony is available on the WSU Pullman commencement website.
Follow commencement updates on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #CougGrad.
Later, the College of Veterinary Medicine will host its Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Ceremony, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Beasley Coliseum.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Teri Hansen, WSU commencement coordinator, 509‑335‑2531, teri.hansen@wsu.edu
-
WSU Vancouver
The Vancouver campus will graduate 1,045 students. Commencement is set for 1 p.m. May 4 at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater in Ridgefield, Wash.
Chancellor Mel Netzhammer will preside, and Ian Muck, past president of the Associated Students of WSU Vancouver, will deliver the commencement address.
The ceremony is open to the public and no tickets are required. It also will be livestreamed for online viewing. More information is available at the WSU Vancouver commencementwebsite.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360‑546‑9601, brenda_alling@wsu.edu
-
WSU Tri‑Cities
More than 350 students are expected to graduate from the Tri‑Cities campus, with commencement set for 1 p.m. May 4 at the Toyota Center, 7000 W. Grandridge Boulevard, Kennewick, Wash.
The commencement speaker is state Sen. Sharon Brown.
More information is available at the Tri‑Cities campus commencement website.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Maegan Murray, WSU Tri‑Cities public relations specialist, 509‑372‑7333.
-
WSU Spokane
About 350 students are set to graduate from the Spokane campus, with commencement ceremonies set for May 2 and 3.
The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences commencement is scheduled for 1 p.m. May 2, Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 West Sprague Ave., Spokane. Tickets are required. More information is available at the college’s commencement website.
The general WSU Spokane commencement is set for 2 p.m. May 3 at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, 720 West Mallon Ave., Spokane. More information is available the Spokane campus commencement website. A livestream will be available on YouTube.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kevin Dudley, communications coordinator, 509‑358‑7528, kevin_dudley@wsu.edu.
EVERETT, Wash. – April 23, 2019 – Aaron Feaver, chief technology officer and co-founder of EnerG2 and co-founder of Group14, energy storage companies, has been named as Director of the Joint Center for Deployment and Research in Earth Abundant Materials (JCDREAM). He is based at Washington State University Everett.
The center, established in 2015, is a program of research, development, deployment, and training in earth-abundant materials science, engineering, and advanced manufacturing.
Supported by the state of Washington, it includes researchers from Washington State University, University of Washington, Western Washington University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
JCDREAM’s aim is to establish Washington as a leader in the development and commercialization of next-generation clean energy and transportation technologies utilizing earth abundant materials rather than rare materials which are often associated with inordinate environmental and human rights impact.
This could in turn help to address the worldwide challenge to replace rare, expensive, and unsustainable materials that are used in many modern products with more economical and sustainable alternatives, emphasizing solutions in clean energy and transportation technology sectors.
An experienced leader
Feaver has a background in the synthesis and processing of high-performance earth abundant carbon and silicon materials. He co-founded two materials companies in the energy storage space: Group14 and EnerG2. Feaver and team grew EnerG2 (which was recently acquired by BASF) from a small venture backed start-up company to a 100-person manufacturing organization with locations in Seattle and Oregon. Group14, with operations in Woodinville, WA, is focused on production of advanced silicon materials which increase the energy capacity of lithium ion batteries. Feaver has written and spoken extensively on Materials Science & Engineering as well as the specific use of carbon and silicon materials in transportation and clean energy storage applications.
Feaver was also a project manager and engineer at the Boeing Company where he worked in Liaison Engineering and Value Engineering. He serves on the board of advisors for the University of Washington’s Materials Science and Engineering Department. He holds a BA in Physics from North Central College, a BS in Civil Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Washington.
“We welcome Dr. Feaver and look forward to his leadership as JC Dream director,” said Mary Rezac, dean of the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. “We are excited that with his strong background in materials engineering, entrepreneurship, technology development, and understanding of the challenges of energy storage, he will help the center grow and innovate in the sustainable materials and manufacturing technologies of the future.”
Dear #EverCougs Community,
Washington State University Everett is growing and thriving because of your support for our students and the transformational educational experience that supports their academic achievement in school and preparation for career success.
On April 10, I ask you to join us in #CougsGive, a 24-hour celebration of our students. It will be our first opportunity to come together as a community and support more students through the WSU Everett Scholarship Fund.
Our campus offers a growing number of WSU’s signature programs for Puget Sound-area students looking to earn a degree from a prestigious, research university while remaining closer to their homes, jobs and families. Our students thrive in small classes taught by expert faculty. They develop the knowledge and skills needed to navigate a global economy and join industry leaders like Boeing, Google and Janicki Industries. Our students are thriving and meeting with great success!
The WSU Everett Scholarship Fund allows students to fully engage in their studies, student life and community service. These scholarships also help recruit and retain high-achieving students. A scholarship can make all the difference in the success of so many of our students.
In addition to supporting our scholarship fund, we hope you’ll become a Cougar Ambassador and add your voice of support on social media and via email. Sign up to be a Cougar Ambassador on the #CougsGive webpage, or follow and share WSU Everett’s posts on Facebook and Twitter.
From our faculty, staff and students, we thank you for all you do for WSU Everett and we look forward to hearing from you on April 10th #CougsGive Day.
Go Cougs!
Paul Pitre, Chancellor
Washington State University Everett
Greetings to the #EverCougs community!
The semester is flying by as we approach a well-deserved spring break for students and faculty. Speaking of flying, commercial flights began lifting off from Paine Field in Everett this week, so start making plans for WSU football road games in the fall now!
Campus activities have been equally exciting. The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication hosted another outstanding Communication Day, and I must add how proud we are to continue the legacy of Edward R. Murrow in his own backyard. Murrow grew up in Skagit County, where he graduated from high school before attending Washington State University.
With Murrow’s pioneering spirit, another group of students recently established the first communication club at WSU Everett, a new chapter of the Association for Women in Communications. Sidney Shea, one of the founding members, said, “Being in the greater Seattle area, students have such a great advantage of connecting with the communication industry. We have so many resources to connect with and learn from.”
This semester, a trio of WSU Everett faculty members representing engineering, business and communication designed a merged class for their students. Seniors in the Voiland College electrical engineering program have spent the academic year designing and building projects, sponsored by, overseen and delivered to local industry. This semester, Murrow College students will develop communication plans for their assigned project while Carson College of Business students will create business strategies.
As COM400 professor Lucrezia Cuen Paxson told students, “We continue into the fourth industrial revolution in the midst of a digital explosion, we’re discovering that in the workplace, more people who were not in subfields related to science and technology are being forced into them. Those relationships and interactions are no longer optional, they are mandatory.”
This interdisciplinary partnership exemplifies the innovative faculty at WSU Everett and how nimble our campus is in preparing students to meet the demands of the modern workforce. This level of scientific inquiry and entrepreneurship is nurtured in every one of our programs to provide our students a transformative experience.
Speaking of partnership, our growing collaborations with Everett Community College were on display when the Department of Energy announced a wind energy team of WSU Everett and EvCC students has been selected to compete in the College Wind Competition in Denver in 2020. The invitation comes with a grant to fund their scientific work and community engagement around wind energy, building toward the competition.
EvCC student Sam Ayers said, “Being connected to WSU Everett is so beneficial for engineering students at EvCC. The collaboration allows us to gain familiarity with the WSU campus and faculty, which serves to aid students that choose to transfer to WSU Everett to complete their bachelor’s degree.”
Finally, I’m very happy to announce that in a partnership with the WSU School of Food Science and Bargreen’s, Cougar Gold cheese will be available to purchase here on campus for $30 starting Monday, March 18. The café’s hours are M-Th, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Go Cougs!
Paul Pitre, Chancellor
WSU Everett & Everett University Center
WSU Everett Highlights
WSU Everett explores merged coursework
“In the real world, engineers and business people and communicators work together,” said Dr. Jacob Murray, program coordinator for electrical engineering at WSU Everett. “These projects have real-life output and the business and communication students can support these teams – not as subordinates, but as peers.” Read more…
WSU Everett, EvCC wind energy team earns Department of Energy grant
A wind energy team of Washington State University Everett and Everett Community College students has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to compete in the Collegiate Wind Competition in Denver, Colo., from June 1-4, 2020. Read more…
Murrow College students create first communication club in Everett
“Being in the greater Seattle area, students have such a great advantage of connecting with the communication industry,” WSU Everett student Sidney Shea said. “We have so many resources to connect with and learn from.” Read more…
Dominican Republic visit could help elevate farmers above subsistence
“This all started because Paul is passionate about this kind of work, and the Rotary Club of Everett supported that,” WSU Snohomish County Extension director Anthony Gromko said. “I was so excited when José and Paul asked me to help. It gets back to the spirit of service work that I really care about.” Read more…
EVERETT, Wash. – March 6, 2019 – A wind energy team consisting of WSU Everett and Everett Community College students has earned a $20,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy along with a spot in the Collegiate Wind Competition.
The biennial event, set for June 2020 in Denver, challenges multidisciplinary teams of undergraduate students to develop a project plan based on wind energy market and siting considerations, design and build a model wind turbine and test their turbine against a set of rigorous performance criteria. The DOE grant will fund the team’s work through the next year and a half.
“This opportunity has become so much more exciting than we envisioned when we started, and with our invitation to compete in Colorado, our club has a tremendous task at hand,” said WSU Everett engineering student Austin Carver. “It’s electrifying for us because we encourage involvement from our campus’ different disciplines, not just engineering. This will strengthen our group and provide insight into more elements of creating a truly successful product.”
Teams will combine the expertise of students from a variety of programs, such as engineering, business, communications and social science to collaboratively develop state-of-the-art wind energy solutions. Participants will intertwine academic coursework with tangible, hands-on learning and earn valuable real-world experience as they prepare to enter the workforce.
“Being connected to WSU Everett is so beneficial for engineering students at Everett Community College,” said EvCC student Sam Ayers. “The team allows EvCC students to gain exposure to projects of greater complexity, versus projects restricted to the skills taught at just the freshman and sophomore level. The collaboration allows us to gain familiarity with the WSU campus and faculty, which serves to aid students that choose to transfer to WSU Everett to complete their bachelor’s degree.”
The team is one of 12 accepted into the competition, and is one of only three new teams to qualify for the 2020 event.
“Our students are thrilled to be selected to compete with the best undergraduate teams in the country,” WSU Everett engineering professor and team mentor Gordon Taub said. “I’m excited they’ll have the opportunity to showcase their learning, their talents and make invaluable industry connections at the competition in Denver.”
“It’s exciting and important to have Cougars and Trojans teaming with each other to take on the best competition in the world, showing green technology industry leaders how much talent Everett has to offer,” WSU Everett chancellor Paul Pitre said. “This is another hallmark of the important connection between our institutions and the impact that collaboration makes for local students, this community and our economy.”
Farmers around the city of Dajabón, Dominican Republic, are mostly subsistence farmers, only able to grow enough food for themselves and their families to eat. WSU researchers, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Everett, are working to help those farmers increase their harvest so they can sell their produce at market.
“This project aims to enhance family income through family greenhouse gardens,” said Anthony Gromko, WSU Extension assistant professor of economic and community development. “This is a poverty alleviation effort, where we can empower families to increase their economic resiliency.”
Last month, Gromko and WSU Everett Chancellor Paul Pitre visited Dajabón, a city of around 35,000 along the border with Haiti, to meet with local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and professors from Universidad ISA, an agricultural university about three hours away. Ed Peterson represented the Rotary Club of Everett on the trip as well.
The program will work with farmers all around Dajabón province, which has a population of around 70,000.
The duo laid the groundwork for collaborating with various groups to implement the program, which will require the use of microloans to fund the farmers’ gardens, Gromko said.
“We would help set up a revolving microloan fund to lend farmers a small amount of money to create their gardens,” said Gromko, a former Peace Corps volunteer. “There’s infrastructure required to set these up. But once they’re making money and pay the loan back, then that money will be loaned to more farmers.”
The Everett Rotary Club initially paid for 10 pilot gardens for farmers around Dajabón, just to see if the project could work. Gromko and Pitre toured those 10 pilot gardens and talked with farmers about their experiences using them, Gromko said.
Gromko, Pitre, and fellow WSU Extension colleague José García-Pabón are working on a grant from The Rotary Foundation to establish the microloan fund, Gromko said.
“This all started because Paul is passionate about this kind of work, and the Rotary Club of Everett supported that,” Gromko said. “I was so excited when José and Paul asked me to help. It gets back to the spirit of service work that I really care about.”
“WSU Everett recently added the Organic and Sustainable Agriculture degree, and we have such a wealth of expertise from the WSU system in our backyard that can be leveraged to make an incredible impact,” Chancellor Pitre said. “Everett Rotary saw the opportunity to partner and the expertise that José and Tony brought really made this project take off.”
The WSU faculty members also talked with Universidad ISA faculty about setting up a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate a student exchange program and a research component for the garden project.
“Their faculty were really interested in hearing about our Organic and Sustainable Agriculture program,” Gromko said. “We talked about research exchanges and maybe getting WSU Everett students to help solve problems on the ground in the Dominican Republic. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities.”
The Everett Rotary Club initially paid for 10 pilot gardens for farmers around Dajabón, just to see if the project could work. Gromko and Pitre toured those 10 pilot gardens and talked with farmers about their experiences using them, Gromko said.
Gromko, Pitre, and fellow WSU Extension colleague José García-Pabón are working on a grant from The Rotary Foundation to establish the microloan fund, Gromko said.
“This all started because Paul is passionate about this kind of work, and the Rotary Club of Everett supported that,” Gromko said. “I was so excited when José and Paul asked me to help. It gets back to the spirit of service work that I really care about.”
“WSU Everett recently added the Organic and Sustainable Agriculture degree, and we have such a wealth of expertise from the WSU system in our backyard that can be leveraged to make an incredible impact,” Chancellor Pitre said. “Everett Rotary saw the opportunity to partner and the expertise that José and Tony brought really made this project take off.”
The WSU faculty members also talked with Universidad ISA faculty about setting up a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate a student exchange program and a research component for the garden project.
“Their faculty were really interested in hearing about our Organic and Sustainable Agriculture program,” Gromko said. “We talked about research exchanges and maybe getting WSU Everett students to help solve problems on the ground in the Dominican Republic. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities.”
January 24, 2019
Greetings to the #EverCougs community!
We have enjoyed a fast and exciting start to 2019. I am proclaiming this year as one of growth and opportunity for our campus, our students and staff. We are part of a region booming with possibilities as evidenced by the construction cranes dotting the region’s skyline and the long-awaited start of commercial air service out of Paine Field in March.
The WSU Everett campus was quiet over winter break but inside we were quite busy. We hosted local legislators who met with the 15 WSU College of Medicine students from the class of 2022 who are assigned to the Everett campus. Students thanked legislators for their support of the medical school and shared their experiences so far. As the medical school students shared personal stories, challenges and successes with lawmakers, the students support of each other was evident. Our medical students are not just a class, they are a family.
On Jan. 4, WSU Everett hosted the Economic Alliance Snohomish County Legislative Kick-off Breakfast. Legislators discussed a broad array of issues, including WSU priorities like investing in the growth of the Everett campus and expanding each class of the medical school from 60 to 80 students. As a public institution, we will be actively engaging state lawmakers about those priorities this session.
Our students continue to amaze us and make us proud. I could fill this newsletter with the achievements of EverCougs but in the interest of brevity I’ll highlight just one. WSU Everett and Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture senior Kaitlin Ferguson earned a national ‘Rising Star’ award from the Society of Women Engineers. This prestigious award celebrates her contributions to SWE, to the engineering profession, to her campus and to the community. She will receive the award at a formal banquet in Bellevue in April. Kaitlin exemplifies the leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship of our WSU Everett students. I am incredibly proud of what she has achieved. After graduation, Kaitlin will start her career as a laser and electro-optical design engineer for Boeing.
Our soon-to-be graduates are working hard on their senior design projects. One of them, our Boeing Scholars team, is an interdisciplinary group of students gorwing coral to help remove carbon from the atmosphere. Last year’s Boeing Scholars team from Everett won the systemwide WSU Business Plan competition, so expectations are high!
Speaking of high expectations, it was sheer joy to watch our football team seal a university-record 11th victory at the Valero Alamo Bowl. Our Cougs finished ranked 10th in the country, the highest of any Pac-12 team! Similarly, WSU’s volleyball and soccer team saw incredible national success and brought great pride to Cougar Nation.
Last but certainly not least, I would like to extend a huge thank you to Everett Public Schools Superintendent Gary Cohn, who will retire at the end of the school year. Gary has been a driving force for education in North Puget Sound. He has been a steadfast partner for Washington State University, leading STEM initiatives and outreach to many future EverCougs. Gary: We wish you all the best in your retirement.
Go Cougs!
Paul Pitre, Chancellor
WSU Everett & Everett University Center
WSU Everett Highlights
WSU Everett student named ‘Rising Star’ by national Society of Women Engineers
“The Society of Women Engineers has selected Kaitlin Ferguson, a Washington State University Everett electrical engineering senior, to receive one of the national association’s Rising Star awards.” Read more…
Lewiston Tribune | ‘Into the deep: Two WSU grads help prepare submersible for Titanic expedition’
“You’ll never catch him taking a dip in the ocean. Paddle around with that huge expanse hidden beneath the surface? Nope, not going to happen.
So you’d think the opportunity to work for an ocean exploration company — one that’s building a five-man submersible to take tourists more than 2 miles down into the briny deep — might be pretty low on Walsh’s list of dream jobs.” Read more…
Legislators meet with medical students at WSU Everett
“Members from the Washington State Legislature met at the WSU Everett campus today to attend a lunch forum with the 15 medical students from the class of 2022 who are assigned to the university’s medical school hub in Everett. Students thanked legislators for their support of the medical school and discussed their individual experiences so far.” Read more…
This county is ready to take off — and not just at the airport
“It’s as if Snohomish County got a fancy new haircut and a sporty new car. Phone calls are being returned. We’re getting second looks. If the government approves it, the start of commercial passenger service at Paine Field in Everett promises to be 2019’s most visible business game-changer.” Read more…
EVERETT, Wash. – Jan. 24, 2019 – Engineering, communication and business students are working together at WSU Everett under a merged coursework project launched this spring by three faculty members exploring greater opportunities for interdisciplinary studies.
“In the real world, engineers and business people and communicators work together,” said Dr. Jacob Murray, program coordinator for electrical engineering at WSU Everett. “These projects have real-life output and the business and communication students can support these teams – not as subordinates, but as peers.”
Seniors in electrical engineering have spent the academic year designing and building various projects, sponsored by, overseen and delivered to local industry. During the second semester, Edward R. Murrow College of Communication students will develop communication plans for their assigned project while Carson College of Business students will create business strategies.
The seven engineering projects range from developing metrology instrumentation for Fluke to using coral to take carbon out of the atmosphere for Boeing or creating an interactive museum exhibit to inspire children to pursue STEM careers.
Lucrezia Cuen Paxson teaches COM400, communicating science and technology. “As we continue into the fourth industrial revolution in the midst of a digital explosion, we’re discovering that in the workplace, more people who were not in subfields related to science and technology are being forced into them,” she told students recently. “Those relationships and interactions are no longer optional, they are mandatory.”
The valuable exposure students receive to peers in other fields is designed to help them better understand how they can work and interact together across disciplines, which should advance their ability to succeed, according to Cuen Paxson. Each team member brings perspectives couched in their experience within their unique field.
Students of Dr. Soobin Seo, an assistant professor in the Carson College of Business, will plan specific business strategies for the teams to ensure the project, instrument or client is both viable and sustainable when reaching the marketplace. Seo teaches MRKT360, introduction to marketing.
The students will still operate and be graded within their separate courses, but will meet a minimum number of times as a team to learn about the skillset each brings, develop strategies related to their project and complete their respective assignments.
Student reactions were strong, including anticipation about learning from an expanded form of teamwork, to anxiety about shared responsibilities. Murray noted the experience will embrace a growth mindset in which challenges, and even failure, are part of the learning process.
“This interdisciplinary process exemplifies the innovative faculty at WSU Everett and how nimble our campus is in preparing students to meet the demands of the modern workforce,” Chancellor Paul Pitre said. “This level of scientific inquiry and entrepreneurship is nurtured in every one of our programs to provide our students a transformative experience.”
# # #
Contact: Randy Bolerjack
WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and Imagine Children’s Museum present a VIP family night to encourage children to consider careers in the medical field November 28, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., INVITATION ONLY
Everett, Wash. – First year medical students from Washington State University and their host families will give back to the community at a family night at Imagine Children’s Museum. Families will learn about the skeletal system, organ systems and universal precautions through fun, kid-friendly activities. The event is invitation-only to families who are involved in some of Imagine’s other programs like After School Science Clubs, Discovery Club Summer Reading Program and Little Science Lab.
Each year for several weeks, first- and second-year WSU medical students learn and live in Everett, Spokane, the Tri-Cities and Vancouver to learn more about communities where they will complete their training and eventually practice medicine. Students stay with local host families during these visits. A highlight of the week is the College of Medicine Community Night.
“We are so excited to partner with the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. This is such a great opportunity for their students to connect with children and families and see what an amazing community we have. It’s also a great way for children and families to learn more about the medical profession,” said Teddy Dillingham, Education Director at Imagine Children’s Museum.
“WSU’s medical students are special people. While they learn from local physicians in our community, they want to give back; they have an incredible passion to teach and inspire future generations of doctors and scientists,” said Dr. Larry Schecter, Dean of the medical school’s operations in Everett. “Our medical students might only be 15 years older than these kids, so they see themselves and they see future physicians.”