{"id":9489,"date":"2026-01-08T07:40:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T15:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/?p=9489"},"modified":"2026-03-12T12:49:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T19:49:42","slug":"student-spotlight-ellie-sarchi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/2026\/01\/08\/student-spotlight-ellie-sarchi\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Spotlight: Ellie Sarchi"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"breadcrumbs\" typeof=\"BreadcrumbList\" vocab=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\">\r\n\t<!-- Breadcrumb NavXT 7.2.0 -->\n<span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture.\" href=\"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/\" class=\"main-home\" ><span property=\"name\">Voiland College<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/span><span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to Voiland College Student Success.\" href=\"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\" class=\"home\" aria-current=\"page\"><span property=\"name\">Voiland College Student Success<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"2\"><\/span><\/div><header class=\"wsu-article-header \">\r\n\t<h1 class=\"wsu-article-header__title\">\r\n\t\tStudent Spotlight: <br>Ellie Sarchi\t<\/h1>\r\n\t\t<\/header>\r\n\n\n\n<p>What makes Washington State University&#8217;s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture stand out from the crowd for those looking to get a degree?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We ask bioengineering major Ellie Sarchi for her thoughts on what makes WSU such a special place.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\" wsu-overlap wsu-spacing-after--xxmedium\">\r\n\t<div class=\"wsu-overlap__container\">\r\n\t\t\n<div class=\" wsu-overlap__column\">\r\n    <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column-inner\">\r\n        \n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large wsu-image--style-framed\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"792\" height=\"732\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/thumbnail_IMG_20250911_085030-2-e1762288426970-792x732.jpg\" alt=\"Ellie Sarchi.\" class=\"wp-image-9492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/thumbnail_IMG_20250911_085030-2-e1762288426970-792x732.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/thumbnail_IMG_20250911_085030-2-e1762288426970-396x366.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/thumbnail_IMG_20250911_085030-2-e1762288426970-768x710.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/thumbnail_IMG_20250911_085030-2-e1762288426970-198x183.jpg 198w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/thumbnail_IMG_20250911_085030-2-e1762288426970.jpg 1001w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\" wsu-overlap__column  wsu-overlap--surface-column wsu-overlap--overlap-xmedium\">\r\n    <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column-inner\">\r\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wsu-hide--tablet\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-container wsu-dropshadow--medium wsu-color-background--white wsu-spacing-top--xmedium wsu-spacing-padding-right--xmedium wsu-spacing-padding-left--xmedium wsu-spacing-bottom--sxxsmall\" >\r\n    \n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Major:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/degrees.wsu.edu\/degree\/bioengineering\/\">Bioengineering<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expected Date of Graduation:<\/strong> May 2027<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hometown:<\/strong> Columbia River\/Vancouver, WA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scholarships:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li> University Achievement Award<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Federal Grant Pell<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>WSU Grant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Washington College Grant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n\t<\/div> \r\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">What made you decide to attend WSU?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I chose WSU because it of the location, and I knew they had a great chemical engineering program. I was actually unaware initially that WSU had a bioengineering program. I first started at a general bio major, and I talked to many professors. One kinesiology professor actually told me about the bioengineering program and told me to talk to Maria Greaney. After that, I was hooked! I met with many other professors and realized this is where I wanted to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">What has been your favorite class or program that you have been involved with at WSU?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My favorite class so far was BioE 210. Dominic Scalise was the professor, and he made the class feel so connected and it was just a fantastic time. Every morning I looked forward to classes, and really enjoyed what we were learning about. Professor Scalise was so helpful and always reminded me to stay curious and advocate for myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">Please share how scholarships or financial aid has impacted you as a student.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I have been so grateful for all the scholarships and financial aid I have gotten throughout the years. They provide me piece of mind and have allowed me to focus on working in labs here at WSU, rather than having to get a job. These scholarships really just show me that there are others who want me to succeed and believe in me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">Have you participated in any research projects related to your field of study?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I have participated in professor Bernie Van Wie&#8217;s lab and I really enjoyed it. I was able to learn more about the cellular aspects to bioengineering. I am part of the systems track and have never really focused on the cellular part of bioengineering. It was so interesting and I am really grateful for the experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">Why would you recommend attending Washington State University?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest reasons I would recommend attending Washington State University is the supportive community. Students, faculty, and alumni genuinely want to see each other succeed. On campus, this can be seen by professors who are approachable and willing to help, classmates who are collaborative rather than competitive, and student organizations that create a welcoming space for everyone to get involved. The WSU community also extends after graduation, with alumni who are eager to mentor and support current students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">What have you learned during your time at WSU that will help you most in your future?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>During my time at WSU, I\u2019ve learned the importance of seeking out opportunities and building connections. Whether it\u2019s through joining organizations like BMES, touring research labs, or talking with professors, I\u2019ve realized how valuable it is to engage with the resources and people around me. This has taught me to be proactive, ask questions, and surround myself with a strong support system<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">What advice do you have for fellow or prospective students?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My advice is to talk to everyone you can and get involved. Join clubs, make connections, and don\u2019t be afraid to put yourself out there. At WSU, people really want each other to succeed, and having that support makes a huge difference.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ellie Sarchi is a bioengineering major graduating in May 2027.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14162,"featured_media":9492,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[570],"tags":[590],"wsuwp_university_location":[332],"wsuwp_university_org":[498,443],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9489"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14162"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9489"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9489\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9975,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9489\/revisions\/9975"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9489"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9489"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9489"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_location?post=9489"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_org","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_org?post=9489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}