Honors Facilitators
Honors facilitators lead this one-credit freshman course, Honors 198. Presented for the first time in fall 2010, it is intended to help incoming students adjust to college life, to build a sense of community, and learn to work with the Honors curriculum. The class is offered in fall semesters with upperclassmen serving as instructors for the sections. The Honors 198 learning community experience is under the guidance of Honors College Assistant Dean Robin Bond.
View Previous Mentors
Honors Student Facilitators
Zachary Ash
Kendall Browder
Matthew Bunge
Andrew Davila
Tommy Duong
Stephen Fawcett
Hollen Foster-Grahler
Grant Irey
Honors Student Facilitators
Kristina Miller
Matteya Proctor
Katelyn Smith
Grace Sonnichsen
Scott Stevison
Samantha Ulam
Alexis William
Olivia Witherspoon
Honors Faculty Facilitators
Honors Student Facilitators
Zachary Ash
Honors 198 Facilitator
Hometown: Gig Harbor, WA
Area(s) of Study: Biology/PreMed.
Involvement at WSU: Honors Ambassador, ASWSU Senator for College of Arts and Sciences.
Hobbies: Watersports and dirt biking.
What do you like the most about being a student in The Honors College?
It is a very tightknit community and I met my best friends there.
Future plans/goals
Attend medical school.
Why did you join The Honors College?
When I attended Cougs Welcome and attended the Honors Seminar, the presentation convinced me to join.
Tommy Duong
Honors 198 Facilitator
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Area(s) of Study: Electrical Engineering, French.
Involvement at WSU: I work in a research lab on campus for the school of veterinary medicine, as well as TA for The Honors College and Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture.
Hobbies: On my free time, I am a digital artist! It’s great to do something not related to your major.
What do you like the most about being a student in The Honors College?
I love the people I get to interact with, whether it is teaching them, my mentors, or my peers. Tons of good people here within the college.
Future plans/goals?
I hope to find a job in the engineering industry or if my art career takes off, that’s an option too! (or both).
Why did you join The Honors College?
I joined the Honors college because I thought it would be cool to find a small community within the university of highly involved people that are like-minded. That is in fact what I found.
Stevie Fawcett
Honors 198 Facilitators
Hometown: Bend, OR
Area(s) of Study: Microbiology, Spanish, German, Jazz Studies.
Involvement at WSU: I am heavily involved in virology research at WSU. Outside of that, I am the chair of ASWSU’s sustainability group and also participate in mentoring programs like Honors facilitating and research peer mentoring.
Hobbies: I enjoy cooking, soccer, and hiking in my free time!
What do you like the most about being a student in The Honors College?
My Honors College experience has been really good. I have taken a surprising amount of English and Poetry classes, but every course has taught me something new. My favorite part about the Honors College though has to be Honors 198, which I took freshman year and then taught for the reamining three years of college. It’s a great community building class.
Future plans/goals?
I plan to pursue an MD/PhD after graduation and conduct oncology research at a teaching hospital.
Why did you join The Honors College?
The Honors College was also a fantastic opportunity to explore unique topics in small classes. I wanted to make friends and expand my horizons, which is exactly what the Honors College does best. There’s a good community there that I’m happy to be a part of.
Hollen Foster-Grahler
Honors 198 Facilitator
Hometown: Olympia, WA
Area(s) of Study: Spanish, Mathematics, and Linguistics.
Involvement at WSU: Director of STAGE Films, Nuthouse Improv Comedy cast member, Linguistics Club
Hobbies: Hiking, running, and writing.
What do you like the most about being a student in The Honors College?
I appreciate the tight-knit community and freedom to pursue different areas of interest.
Future plans/goals?
Working in the film industry, particularly in writing and production.
Why did you join The Honors College?
For the small class sizes, discussion-based learning, and interdisciplinary approach.
Grant Irey
Honors 198 Facilitator
Hometown: Puyallup, WA
Area of Study: Environmental and Ecosystem Sciences, with Minors in Horticulture and Geology.
Involvement at WSU:CAHNRS Ambassador, Palouse Review Poetry Executive Editor, Undergrad Worker for the USDA Steber Lab.
Hobbies: Taking care of my plants, reading, writing poetry, crocheting, and being outside!
What do you like the most about being a student in The Honors College?
I love being a part of the Honors college for the discussion-based classes and the community focused on engaging deeply with our education.
Future Plans/goals?
Working for Mt. Rainier National Park.
Why did you join The Honors College?
I wanted to be a part of an engaging community focused on discussion and involved learning!
Kristina Miller
Honors 198 Facilitator
Hometown: Simi Valley, CA
Area(s) of Study: Animal Science (pre-vet) with a minor in Spanish.
Involvement at WSU: Undergraduate research and Canine Companions clu.b
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy reading and baking!
What do you like the most about being a student in The Honors College?
My favorite part about being in the Honors College is getting to take so many fun classes outside my major. I’ve gotten to be in classes about poetry, films, and leadership that I would not otherwise have taken.
Future plans/goals?
I plan to pursue a DVM degree and become a veterinarian.
Why did you join The Honors College?
I joined the Honors College because I was excited about the smaller class sizes and the community it created. I have been able to form a closer connection with my classmates and professors.
Matteya Proctor
Honors 198 Facilitator
Hometown: Deary, ID
Area(s) of Study: Neuroscience & Psychology.
Involvement at WSU: WSU Club Volleyball, Undergraduate Research, SMB STARS Program, ASCC Peer Tutor, WriteSTEM Writing Fellow, Undergraduate Research Peer Mentor, and CVM Promoter.
Hobbies: Sports (playing & watching), spending time outdoors (anything & everything), photography, reading, drinking coffee, and petting dogs. :)
What do you like the most about being a student in the Honors College?
There are so many opportunities available to students through the Honors College, which is amazing, but what I’ve loved most about being an honors student is the sense of community that comes with it. I grew up in a tiny town where everyone knew everyone else, so I was nervous coming to such a big school. Being involved in the Honors College and meeting likeminded people through honors classes made the transition so much easier for me; you truly feel like everyone is invested in you and your well-being as an individual.
Future plans/goals?
I plan to apply to grad programs in neuropsychology, cognitive sciences, and/or science communication in the upcoming application cycle. I want to work somewhere I can help bridge the communication and cultural gap between scientific communities and the public by increasing the accessibility of scientific information, as well as by addressing stigmas surrounding cognitively challenging information and STEM in general.
Why did you join the Honors College?
I joined the Honors College for multiple reasons, but primarily because I was looking to join a supportive community of like-minded people. I knew there would be many opportunities available to me as an honors student and I felt welcomed by the genuine advisors and the overall culture of the Honors College.
Katelyn Smith
Honors 198 Facilitator
Hometown: Mead, WA.
Area of study: Biology with a minor in Environmental Science.
Involvement at WSU: RA at Goldsworthy, Cougar Connector, Orientation Counselor, and part of WSU Color Guard.
Hobbies: Photography, plant mom, being in nature, and going to national parks.
What do you like most about being a student in The Honors College?
Getting to have a closer relationship with the faculty and staff where I have so many more opportunities for research.
Future plans/goals?
To get my masters in teaching. Teach high school environmental science.
Why did you join The Honors College?
I wanted a unique college experience and loved the idea of more involved classes that would keep me interested, and the idea of less people and closer connections to faculty and peers.
Scott Stevison
Honors 198 Facilitator
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
Area(s) of Study: Genetics and Cell Biology, minor in Music.
Involvement at WSU: STARS student, College of VetMed ASWSU Senator, Undergraduate Research Peer Mentor, Honors College Ambassador, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Club Soccer.
Hobbies: Soccer, music, and watching sports.
What do you like the most about being a student in The Honors College?
Although the WSU Honors College has presented me with numerous career opportunities, my favorite part has been meeting amazing people. The students and faculty that make up the WSU honors college are a tight-knit group and I have made many lifelong friends throughout this experience.
Future plans/goals?
I plan on pursuing a PhD in order to advance my career in cancer research. I also hope to perform in a brass band one day!
Why did you join The Honors College?
I wanted to learn in small class sizes to build better relationships with my peers and professors while also experiencing a massive D1 university, which provides more research opportunities, better funding, and an exciting social environment.
Honors Faculty Facilitators
Donald Allison
Hometown: Fort Benton, MT
Area(s) of study: Biology; Physician Assistant Studies; Culture, Literacy, and Language
Involvement at WSU: Director of Health Professions Student Center; Clinical Assistant Professor School of Biological Sciences
Hobbies: Travel, language, photography, hiking, horses, dogs, cats
Future plans/goals:
My goal is to assist as many students as possible accomplish their desire for admission to the health profession school of their choice in order to ultimately fulfill their dream of following a career in health care.
Favorite Quote:
““Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
― Nelson Mandela”
What is something you wish you wish you had known when you first started college?
I wish I would have taken advantage of all the great resources available on a college campus and appreciated the wisdom provided me by my advisors and professors.
Robin Bond
From: San Diego, Ca
Area of Study: Classics
Involvelemt at WSU: Assistant dean of the Honors College
Hobbies: WSU Orchestra (2nd violin), gardening, snowshoeing
Foreign Languages known: Classical Greek and Latin
What I like about the Honors College at WSU: I think the Honors College is important because of the wonderful students who are part of this learning community at WSU.
Where I’ve traveled: UK, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Canada, and Mexico
I’m excited to be an Honors 198 Facilitator because… I enjoy getting to know first-year students
Favorite Quote: “The unexamined life is not worth living” — Plato, ‘Apology of Socrates’
Something random about me: I am researching animals in Herodotus’ ‘History of the Persian wars’
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Cassa Hanon
From: Renton, WA
Area of Study: Computer Science & Business
Involvement at WSU: Adjunct Faculty, Honors College, Advisory Council, Honors College, Advisory Council, College of Arts & Sciences, WSU Foundation Trustee, Society of Women Engineers Mentor
Hobbies: Reading, Theatre, Hiking, Running, Sports Fan
What I like about the Honors College at WSU: I think the Honors College is important because of the wonderful students who are part of this learning community at WSU.
Where I’ve traveled: UK, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Canada, and Mexico
I’m excited to be an Honors 198 Facilitator because… I learn as much as I teach.
Favorite Quote: ““We don’t always recognize the most significant moments of our lives while they’re happening to us.” – Dr. Graham in Field of Dreams
Something random about me: I’m an identical twin.
Grant Norton
Hometown: Godalming, Surrey (in the UK)
Area(s) of study: Materials science
Involvement at WSU: I’m dean of the Honors College
Hobbies: Playing guitar, bird watching, opera, reading, walking my dog
What has been your favorite Honors College class thus far and why?
I teach an Honors 290 class, which I really enjoy. It is “Ten Materials that Changed the World” and has really allowed me to think of my field (materials science) in its broad societal context. I hope the students enjoy taking the class as much as I enjoy teaching it!
What are the Honors College faculty like?
The Honors College faculty are outstanding and committed to the success of each of our students. I am proud and honored to work with these faculty every day.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am a big fan of the rock group Kiss.
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