Student Spotlight:
Erich Whitley

What makes Washington State University’s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture stand out from the crowd for those looking to get a degree?

We ask chemical engineering major Erich Whitley for his thoughts on what makes WSU such a special place.

What made you decide to attend Washington State University?

I chose to attend WSU because of its excellent engineering department, its reputation as a research university, with special emphasis on undergraduate research, the talented and passionate faculty and the warm and welcoming Cougar community.

What have you learned at WSU that will help you in your career?

I think the most important thing that I’ve learned so far from my time at WSU is how to problem solve. In life, we constantly face problems that we need to solve, and they often times are overwhelming. However, from my experiences, academic or otherwise, I have found that you generally can apply the following approach to most problems you face: take a step back, consider all aspects of the issue, break it down into small, more manageable pieces, devise a plan to complete these pieces and execute it, hope it works, but if not, revise and repeat until it does. Also, never put off solving a problem for too long as they have a tendency to compound.

What is your favorite activity at WSU?

My favorite activity has been doing undergraduate research. I found it to be an incredible learning opportunity, as I get to work hands on with materials and apply the concepts I’ve learned in the classroom, as well as work alongside and learn from the grad students and professors.