There is no question this is the season of growth, abundance, waving grasses, bird calls, and baby animals in the Palouse. Oh, and wind. For some reason, it reminds me of why WSU is located where it is and why WSU is what it is.
We are a land-grant institution based on land-grant ideals — access to education regardless of background; teaching skills and knowledge to be an engaged community member; scholarly inquiry for the betterment of society; and sharing institutional expertise with state residents. The land-grant mission weaves its way into all levels of strategic planning, investment, and conversation. And, at the college, this mission is reflected in everything we do.
Access to practical education for all, regardless of background. Some of our faculty engage in the National Science Foundation-funded Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program, which provides academic and social support to undergraduate students underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Our college’s undergraduate students have served as program mentors, earned research awards, presented at regional and national conferences, and secured positions in research labs to pursue their PhDs.
Sharing institutional expertise with state residents. Other faculty received grant funding from the Washington Research Foundation to plan for a state consortium of reproductive health, partnering reproductive health expertise in WSU’s Center for Reproductive Biology to the clinical and translational work at the University of Washington. Faculty pursue these entrepreneurial and forward-facing initiatives because bringing relevant science forward to impact the citizens of Washington and beyond is part of our land-grant DNA.
Extend knowledge through innovative educational programs in which emerging scholars are mentored to realize their highest potential and assume roles of service to society. Two of our faculty are in Kenya with a second cohort of undergraduates engaging in WSU’s Research Immersion in Nairobi program to enhance students’ technical expertise and support the college’s Global Health-Kenya faculty and research partners. Each student works alongside a Kenyan mentor and local professionals to learn more in veterinary, public health, and other biomedical fields. When I think about study abroad programs, of which I also took part as an undergraduate student, I now recognize the deep, lived experiences these programs provide, broadening horizons, enhancing cross-cultural understanding, preparing a true global citizen.
From the above to our state-funded programs in elk hoof disease to our work with highly pathogenic avian influenza, we are, all of us, engaged community members, pursuing scholarly inquiry for the betterment of society. As a faculty member and academic leader, I have only ever worked at land-grant institutions. It suits me and it suits us.
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Be safe, healthy, happy, and stay hopeful.