Jan. 7, 2020 Voiland College This Week

Go Cougs!

A newly awarded grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) aims to expand the use of oilseeds and other vegetable oil crops in renewable jet fuel manufacturing. The grant supports collaborative research by Washington State University chemical engineer Hongfei Lin and University of Nebraska–Lincoln plant scientist Ed Cahoon.

Research led by Yuehe Lin that used tiny tubes made from peptoids to deliver cancer-killing drugs in a targeted manner was one of the Dept. of Energy’s Office of Science’s Top Posts of 2019.

Xianming Shi’s research on the damaging effects on roads and bridges was featured in USA Today.

Alex Geisen took first place in the VECTORWORKS / AIAS Render / Sketch Competition

Architecture student Nathaniel Kirk had his design project shortlisted in the Island Volcano Museum International Design Competition.

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Events

Friday, January 10

John Yates’ Retirement Party

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Opportunities

WORKDAY is Coming!

The launch of workday is only six short months away on July 1, 2020.

How will YOU be interacting with WORKDAY?

Employee Self-Service, also known as ESS, is the functionality for employees to initiate tasks that pertain to their worker status. The ability for an employee to view and change their personal information such as home address, tax deductions and time-off accruals are examples of tasks within ESS.

For example, WSU will have the ability to collect state income tax for employees living outside of Washington. Due to the mid-year launch date and necessity to review payroll calculations between the two systems in parallel to ensure accuracy, additional state income tax withholdings will not be made for the calendar year 2020. In the future, WSU anticipates employees will be able to select state income tax withholdings at the start of the 2021 calendar year.

Watch a 1 minute video to learn more.

Employees first view into WORKDAY will happen during the end user testing that is scheduled to begin in May 2020. Watch for future announcements.

Microsoft Teams Replacing Skype

Information Technology Services is introducing Microsoft Teams as a service for the university beginning Jan. 8, 2020. Learn more about this program that is replacing Skype for Business.

PNNL-WSU Graduate Program – Apply by Jan. 10

The WSU Office of Research, the WSU Graduate School, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are pleased to announce the call for applications for the fourth cohort of the Distinguished Graduate Research Program.

Academic Showcase – Apply by Jan. 15

WSU’s Academic Showcase, the annual poster session for WSU faculty, staff, and graduate and professional students, will be held March 26, and will run concurrently with the Graduate and Professional Students Association (GPSA) Research Exposition.

Patents for Humanity – Apply by Jan. 31

Patents for Humanity is the US Patent and Trademark Office’s awards program for those using game-changing tech to address global challenges, reach under-served communities, and improve millions of lives. Apply here.

2020 Northwest Entrepreneur Competition Apply by Feb. 14

The 2020 Northwest Entrepreneur Competition is now accepting applications for students to compete for over $42,000 in cash-awards. Submit your idea at www.nwentrep.com or email venture@nic.edu for more information.

WSU Student Employee of the Year – Nominations due Feb. 15

This institution-wide contest looks at student employees who go above-and-beyond the basic expectations. Nominations are due Feb. 15.

Idaho National Laboratory Graduate Fellowship – Apply by Feb. 16

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is excited to announce that the INL Graduate Fellowship postings are now open. One is a fellowship awarded to Ph.D. students with interest in advancing nuclear energy and clean energy deployment. The other is specific to National and Homeland Security research and is for Ph.D. students or students pursuing a master’s degree in cyber security.

Applicants are invited to apply at through inl.gov/careers job posting numbers 13894 and 13895. The postings will close Feb. 16, 2020. Letters of recommendation can be emailed directly to emilee.kottcamp-allen@inl.gov.

Crimson Spirit Award

Have you noticed a WSU employee going out of their way to help a colleague or customer? Nominate them for the Crimson Spirit award to recognize their excellent service. Submit a nomination.

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Be Safe Cougs

Winter Weather Tips

Here are some tips and information to help keep you informed, healthy, and safe this winter.