Go Cougs!
Ben Belzer helped Dr. Universe explain how cell phones work.
Researchers led by Diane Cook have developed a way, using a computer algorithm and a large dataset gathered from smartwatches, to more comprehensively identify what people are doing in everyday settings, such as working, eating, doing hobbies, or running errands.
Feature of the Week
VCEA Academic Kick-Off Highlights
Events
Thursday, August 21 @ 1:00 PM, Engineering Teaching Research Laboratory (ETRL)
VCEA Town Hall August 21: Please join Dean Partha Pande and members of Voiland College’s leadership team to hear updates on the college.
Thursday, August 21 @ 2:00 PM, Thompson Flats / Carpenter Hall
VCEA Inside Scoop: Kick off the year with Inside Scoop, VCEA’s signature student organization showcase! Meet student clubs, leadership teams, and design groups — and enjoy free Ferdinand’s ice cream while you explore ways to get involved.
Friday, August 22 @ 4:00 PM
CySER Informational Session: What is the VICEROY Institute for Cybersecurity Education and Research (CySER)?
Students interested in cybersecurity are invited to join us for an online informational session with Dr. Assefaw Gebremedhin to learn more about the CySER program and how to get involved.
Friday, August 29 @ 5:00 PM, Wegner Hall
Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering Welcome Back BBQ: Student clubs AIChE and BMES are hosting a welcome back BBQ for faculty, staff, and students in the Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering.
Thursday, September 11 @4:00 – 6:00 PM, Sloan Hall
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering Welcome Back Party (RSVP)
Friday, September 12 @ 11:00 AM, Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center
VCEA Day: VCEA faculty and staff are invited to stop by the Elson Floyd Cultural Center between 11 am and 2 pm to learn about the new strategic initiatives Voiland College faculty and staff are implementing this year to improve student retention, employee satisfaction, and research collaboration.
September 15, 16, 17
Boeing Pullman Campus Visit Schedule:
| Date | Time | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, September 15 | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Class Visits | To be determined |
| Monday, September 15 | 4:00- 5:30 PM | Resume & Interviewing Lecture by Jessica Parson, Sr. Manager, EDC Liaison Engineer (Pizza provided) | Todd 116 |
| Tuesday, September 16 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Class Visits | To be determined |
| Tuesday, September 16 | 4:30 – 6:30 PM | Boeing information session with former interns | Todd 116 |
| Wednesday, September 17 | All Day | Resume Reviews & Mock Interviews | Spark Hoteling Rooms (by appointment) |
Questions? Contact Sandi Brabb
Wednesday, September 17 @ 4:00 – 6:00 PM, Spark G45
Cougs in Space Forum: Cougs in Space Launch (Keynote) with Gary Lai, Co-Owner & CTO of Interlune, followed by a reception.
Thursday, September 18 @ 11:00 AM, Lighty 160 & virtual
Cougs in Space Alumni Panel Discussion w/
- Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, Texas A&M University, NASA retired (virtual)
- Kyle Norbert, Orbital Test Analyst, US Space Force (in-person)
- Kelsey Buckles, Aerospace Engineer, Structural Dynamics & Integration, Marshall Space Flight Center (virtual)
- Shane Sullivan, Vice President, Operations, SKYTRAC (in-person)
Event Promotion
Putting on an Event?
VCEA Communications has some event promotion tips on how to utilize college resources and get people to your event.
Share Your Event
Want to list your event on a Voiland College website, this newsletter, or our weekly student newsletter? Follow these steps!
Opportunities
Volunteer for Thursday’s Inside Scoop
There are still opportunities to volunteer at the VCEA Inside Scoop, Thursday August 21. Shifts are short (45–90 minutes), easy to fit around your schedule, and a great way to connect with students, colleagues, and the VCEA community.
VCEA Walking Challenge Starts Aug. 21
Join us for our 21-Day Walking Step Challenge, where we’ll support each other in building a daily walking routine that boosts energy, reduces stress, and improves overall wellness.
Top steppers will be recognized! School/Department/Unit within the college with the most average step per employee will have a lunch provided. All participants who complete the 21 days will be entered into a prize drawing.
RA & 10k Seed Grants – Apply by Sept. 10
WSU’s RA & 10k Seed Grant Competition provides faculty with the opportunity to explore a new line of research or pursue an established research question through a new inter- or multi-disciplinary approach or partnership. This program will support the pursuit of research ideas and projects that lead to extramural funding or achievements in scholarly or creative practice as recognized by your field. Up to two awardees will receive $10,000 and funding for a graduate student research assistantship for one-semester.
DOE Graduate Student Workshop Sept. 11
US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science is pleased to announce that the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program provides supplemental funds for U.S. graduate awardees (U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents) to conduct part of their PhD thesis research at a host DOE laboratory/facility in collaboration with a DOE National Laboratory scientist within a defined award period. Collaborating DOE National Laboratory scientists may be from any of the participating DOE National Laboratories and User Facilities. The award period for the proposed research project may range from 3 to 12 consecutive months. Applications due November 5, 2025. SCGSR application assistance workshops will be held on September 11, 2025, 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. ET (register on Zoom for the first workshop) and October 9, 2025, 2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. ET (register on Zoom for the second workshop). More information on the SCGSR program can be found by visiting the SCGSR program website, by emailing the SCGSR team.
IT Resources
Need IT Support? Submit a ticket to Voiland College’s IT department, or call 509-335-6773, email support.vcea@wsu.edu, or stop by Sloan 358.
Communications Resources
Here are some resources you can use to keep in touch with what’s happening around Voiland College and Washington State University.
Fall Academic Outreach and Innovation Innovative Instruction Series
These sessions will focus on a variety of topics related to pedagogy.
Save the Date – Student Career Fairs
| Event | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Internship Fair | Thursday, September 11 @ 3:00 – 6:00 PM | CUB Sr. Ballroom |
| Cougs in Space Cosmic Connections Fair | Thursday, September 18 @ 2:00 – 4:00 PM | CUB Jr. Ballroom |
| Virtual Career Expo | Monday, October 6 @11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Handshake |
| In-Person Career Expo & Technical Fair | Thursday, October 7 @ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Beasley Coliseum |
| SWE Evening with Industry | Thursday, October 7 @ 5:30 – 8:00 PM | CUB Sr. Ballroom |
Faculty, Don’t Cancel Your Class!
We have your back! If you need to miss or cancel class, Voiland College Career Services has your back and is available to educate your students on professional development topics including:
- What is an internship and how to find one
- How to write a resume and/or cover letter
- Interviewing strategies
- Professional etiquette
- Networking, social media tips, and more!
We can cover the full time of your class or just come for 5 minutes and give a brief overview of the above topics. Fill out the “Request a Presentation form” to schedule a lecture.
VCEA Food Pantry – Donations Needed
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.
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!
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 students, faculty, and staff working within laboratories, Fab Lab, makerspaces, and the Frank Innovation Zone are required to take safety training courses.
Wildfire Smoke
Air quality in various locations statewide may begin to deteriorate due to wildfire smoke. WSU campuses and Research and Extension Centers could be affected.
For general information, go to the Environmental Health & Safety’s Wildfire Smoke web page. This page provides information on the health effects of wildfire smoke, and links to various air quality websites including links to Washington Department of Ecology and Department of Health websites with updated air quality information and appropriate precautions.
If you have further questions, please contact Environmental Health & Safety at 509-335-3041, your regional campus Environmental Health & Safety office, or your local health department.
Send Us Your News
Include your kudos, opportunities, events, and more in the Voiland College This Week newsletter for employees.
DEADLINE: Submit items by 12 pm Thursday for inclusion in the following Tuesday newsletter.