Jan. 20, 2026 Voiland College This Week

Go Cougs !

Gabriela Nicasio, Aaron Sanchez, Collin Bale, and Alan Valencia are this year’s cohort in WSU’s overseas “Students in Training, Advancement, Research Semesters” (STARS) program with a focus on AI in Cybersecurity that will be studying at Sweden’s Linköping University.

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VCEA Attention Grabbers

Fernanda Amaral, Mae Siev, Malena Knoff Braatne-Millstein, Raul Pelaez-Garcia, Suzanne Hamada, and Tana Crawford recently received kudos from their colleagues.

Nominate a Voiland College peer who has gone above and beyond in their work to create a positive culture! Nominees will be entered in a drawing for Ferdinand’s Grabbers!

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Opportunities

Jan 21: GPSA Research Exposition Abstracts Due

The Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) has opened the call for abstracts for the 2026 GPSA Research Exposition, scheduled for March 26 at Beasley Coliseum.

Jan 22: Celebrate the Opening of WSU’s New Construction Management Classroom

Join us Thursday, January 22 from 2:30 to 4 pm as we unveil the brand‑new Construction Management Classroom in Carpenter Hall 212—a dynamic, purpose‑built space designed to elevate hands‑on learning, fuel collaborative project work, and support cutting‑edge construction technology education on the Pullman campus.

Jan 23: The School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Seminar Series

“Life Cycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis for Future Energy Systems” Presented by Guiyan Zang

Jan 26: CHE 598 Seminar

Alkane Oxidation on IrO2(110): Mechanistic Insights and Surface Tuning Presented by Jason Weaver

VCEA Wellness Center – Donations Needed

The VCEA Wellness Center is looking for donations of items that will boost the ambiance of the wellness center to make students more comfortable as they walk into the center! Please donate gently used items such as: Sunlight Lamps (for students especially during the wintertime), Pillows/blankets, Basic decor items (anything that will make the place more home-y), Snacks, Paint canvases, Wii games, Bean bag chairs, or String lights/LED lights. Email akira.park@wsu.edu if have items you would like to donate/drop off.

Jan 30: WSU Student Employee of the Year Nominations Due

Nominations for the Student Employee of the Year are open!

Feb. 3: PNNL-WSU Distinguished Graduate Research Program Applications Due

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

Feb 22: Top 10 Senior Nominations Due

Since the early 1900s, Washington State University has honored outstanding seniors. Today, the WSU Alumni Association and Student Alumni Connection continue this tradition with the Top Ten Seniors Awards. This award recognizes ten graduating seniors for academic excellence, leadership, campus involvement, and community service. Nominate now: Submit your nomination, review eligibility, and learn more.

Feb. 28: GIESO Faculty/Staff Distinguished Achievement Award Nominations Due

The President’s Commission for Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation (GIESO) would like to celebrate and honor excellence supporting the LGBTQIA2S+ community at WSU. Beginning Jan. 5, GIES0 will be soliciting nominations for exceptional faculty, staff, or administrators who have provided exemplary contributions to the LGBTQIA2S+ community by making the university a more inclusive place for all. This award demonstrates the institution’s commitment to fostering a more welcoming campus culture and climate and shows all people, including members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, that they are a seen, valued, and vibrant part of the WSU community.

March 5-6: AI Foundations for Interdisciplinary Research: A Hands-On Workshop

This workshop is designed for WSU faculty from all disciplines who are interested in developing or expanding their AI research toolkit. Led by EECS faculty Paola Pesantez and Parteek Kumar, the sessions will introduce foundational AI concepts through hands-on demos, guided exercises, and practical examples tailored for beginners. No prior AI or programming experience is required. Participants will also engage in a research mixer with EECS AI faculty, offering opportunities to discuss early project ideas, interdisciplinary applications, and potential collaboration pathways. Participation is limited to 20 faculty members and will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with coffee and lunch provided on both days. Find more information online or RSVP by Feb. 1, 2026.

March 28: Kids’ Science and Engineering Day

WSU Society of Women in Engineering’s annual Kids’ Science and Engineering Day is Saturday, March 28.

Nominate a Colleague for the Crimson Spirit Award

Do you know a WSU employee who is exceptionally creative in problem-solving or who consistently goes above and beyond? Nominate that WSU employee for the Crimson Spirit Award today!

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Be Safe Cougs

Learn to Support Cougs in Crisis

We can all help support mental health in our campus community. Learn how to identify Cougs in crisis and connect them with support by signing up for a training with WSU Health Promotion. Sessions are available for all WSU locations.

Campus Connect: This 2-hour suicide prevention training program is offered free of charge for all WSU staff and students. Participants learn: Statistics and facts about college student suicide; How to ask if someone is feeling suicidal; Appropriate referrals; Active listening, communication, and relationship building skills.

Mental Health First Aid: Participants in this training learn about symptoms, crisis response, and active listening skills to support someone who is experiencing a mental health disorder such as: Depression and anxiety; Trauma; Psychosis; Eating disorders; Substance abuse. Mental Health First Aid is free for WSU Pullman, Global, and Vancouver campus students.

Required Safety Training

All Voiland College faculty, staff, students, and volunteers working within laboratories, Fab Lab, makerspaces, and the Frank Innovation Zone are required to take safety training courses.

VCEA Wellness Center

Our new Wellness Center in Daggy 133 is open for drop-in support Monday–Friday, 9:00–4:00. The center includes three rooms you can use during those hours: an art room, a game room, a frustration room, and a Zen room.

VCEA Food Pantry

Voiland College has a new food pantry! Food items are available to all VCEA students, faculty, and staff experiencing food insecurity. Open Monday through Friday, 3-5 pm in Dana 107.

Donations of non-perishable items for the pantry can be dropped off at Carpenter 5th floor reception, Sloan 110 or Dana 110, or they can be made via Amazon Wish List. Interested in volunteering afternoons at the food pantry? Please contact Gary Offerdahl.