Honors College Mentors

Olivia Dietrich

Hometown: Olympia, Wa
Area(s) of Study: Microbiology
Involvement at WSU: Honors Mentor Chair; Co-President of Circle K International; Promoter for the College of Veterinary Medicine
Hobbies: Reading; hiking; kayaking; playing with animals; taking photos; watching Netflix

What is your favorite place on campus and why?
My favorite place to study is in the Owen Library because it’s rarely crowded and you can find quiet spots on the upper floors with beautiful views.

Myths you can bust about the WSU Honors College:
“Myth: Honors courses are harder than UCORE courses.

In my experience, the Honors courses have not been harder than the UCORE courses that my friends have had to take. I haven’t had to take exams and my professors have been reasonable with the amount of work they assign. I think the topics are a lot more interesting too. I’ve had a class on Vikings with the Honors College to complete my Honors 280 credits, which has been one of my favorite classes.”

What is your favorite weekend activity in Pullman?
My favorite weekend activity is going to the Cougar football games at Martin Stadium. I haven’t missed a game since attending WSU. I also love going to visit the grizzly bears on campus. It’s always a fun way to relieve a little stress.
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Nadira Ali

Hometown: Gig Harbor, Wa
Area(s) of Study: Accounting
Involvement at WSU: Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Cougs Against Cancer: Relay for Life, WSU Honors College
Hobbies: Netflix, crafting, exploring with friends

Why did you join the Honors College?
I joined the Honors College to become a part of a group of people that work every day to push me to fulfill my potential.

What has been your favorite Honors College class thus far and why?
Honors 380 because I learned about creative non-fiction writing and I learned different ways to express myself through writing.
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What are the Honors College faculty like?
The Honors College faculty are ridiculously hardworking and relentless. I have yet to meet more people on campus that are more dedicated to helping each other.

Ava Beck

Hometown: Spokane, Wa
Area(s) of Study: Speech and Hearing Sciences, Global Studies, Psychology
Involvement at WSU: CAS Dean’s Office Student Courier, Residence Hall Ambassador, Campus Christian Fellowship, Emerging Leaders
Hobbies: Reading, Walking, Learning Languages

Why did you join the Honors College?
I joined the Honors College because I wanted to be challenged academically and because I was drawn to the smaller class sizes and more specific focus of the classes. It turns out that the Honors College at Washinton State University is a lot more than a higher level academic track; it’s a place to invest in higher level thinking and to interact with the most interesting material, along the the professors that teach it and the other students learning alongside you. And that’s what I have loved about being in the Honors College — you never know quite what to expect but you’re always pleasantly surprised by what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown at the end of any given class.

What has been your favorite Honors College class thus far and why?
During my first semester of college, I took English 298 with Robert Eddy and that was the first class I had ever taken that really challenged my perspective of the world and how I am living in it, which is why it’s one of my favorite Honors College classes. This class, and all the other honors classes I have taken so far, have given me a glimpse of what real education and real challenge are — it’s not ultimately about the grade or the tests, but about the way that your thinking can be changed by another person’s ideas.

What is something you wish you wish you had known when you first started college?
When I first started college, I wish I had known about the simple complexity that comes with living away from home. Things seem very simple in that the only expectations you have to meet are your own and the only rules you have are the ones you make for yourself, but the complexity comes from the establishment of these rules and expectations. No one is telling you what to do and what not to do and suddenly you have to rely on your own understanding of yourself and your world to make those decisions — its freeing yet also terrifying.
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Mikayla Engstrom

Hometown: Granite Falls, WA
Area(s) of Study: Biochemistry with minors in Spanish and Biology, Pre-Med
Involvement at WSU: Pre-Health Club Vice President, MBioS Mentorship Program Chair, Mentor for Team Mentoring Program, WSOS Scholar Lead, Teaching Assistant for Anatomy Lab (Biol 315), Research in Dr. Roberts Lab
Hobbies: I am a very outgoing individual so I really enjoy meeting new people all the time! I love reading, crocheting, crafting of any sort, hiking, playing and watching sports, and of course adventuring.

What do you like most about being a student in the Honors College?
I really enjoy the small class sizes and varied topics throughout each section. It is very easy to find a class that interests you and is unlike any other class you have taken. I also find that there is a great sense of community within the Honors College and within each of the classes. It helps to make strong connections and build relationships throughout WSU.

What is something you wish you wish you had known when you first started college?
If I were to give any incoming student a piece of advice, it would be that if and when the going gets tough, never be afraid to speak up and ask for help. There are so many resources – Honors staff, older students, WSU faculty, clubs, tutors, etc. – who know exactly what you are going through and want to see you succeed. Don’t think you have to give up, take a leap to step outside of your comfort zone and search for help. It will be there when you need it. Advisors help a lot too!

What is a fun fact about yourself?
My favorite flavor of ice cream at Ferdinand’s is Apple Cup Crisp.
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Jason Halcomb

Hometown: Boise, Id
Area(s) of Study: Computer Engineering
Involvement at WSU: Resident Technology Assistant (RTA), CUB Employee (AV, CORETECH, ASIS), Hackathons
Hobbies: Photography, Aeronautics, Coding, Frisbee

What has been your favorite Honors College class thus far and why?
My two favorite classes have been Science Fiction and Philosophy with Dr. Shier and Global Issues in Social Sciences with Dr. Craig Parks. I really enjoy philosophy and both professors were so passionate and knowledgable about the topics. These classes were very discussion oriented and it was fascinating to hear different opinions and ideas from my peers with majors and backgrounds different than my own.

Favorite Quote:
“The only ones that change the world are those crazy enough to think they can.” -Steve Jobs

What is a fun fact about yourself?
I currently hold a commercial pilot’s license for unmanned aerial systems (drones) and am pursuing my private pilot’s license for manned aircraft.
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Celeste Harms

Hometown: Auburn, Wa
Area(s) of Study: Major- Communication; Minors: Business Administration & French
Involvement at WSU: Cable 8 Productions – Executive CFO; Delta Gamma sorority; Cougar Connector (Student Ambassador & Tour Guide); LAUNCH Ambassador
Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, dancing, eating good food(!), reading, and watching old Saturday Night Live sketches with friends.

Has anything surprised you about being in the Honors College?
I’m consistently amazed at the wide variety of subjects I get the opportunity to learn about as a member of the Honors College. In the past couple years, I have taken classes with the Honors College in everything from Marine Biology to Shakespearean Literature. Even when a topic didn’t initially appeal to me, the professors have always been passionate about their field and taught courses in a way that got me engaged and excited about going to class!

What is something you wish you wish you had known when you first started college?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Everyone wants you to succeed, but they won’t always know how to help you if you don’t reach out to them. Your professors, TAs, RAs, Honors College Mentor, tutors- all of these are resources to help you succeed. Take advantage of them and build relationships with them early on! Also, everyone is in the same boat as you. People are far from the comfort of their homes, their families, and their high school friends, and many are just as nervous as you are. Branch out early on by sitting next to a stranger in class or inviting someone on your residence hall floor to join you for lunch- you really never know how you’ll meet your best friends!

Favorite memory from your freshman year at WSU:
The first night it snowed in Pullman, my friends and I jumped out of bed at 11pm on a Sunday night and ran outside in our pajamas and shower shoes. People were making snow angels in the parking lot and sledding on whatever they could find- mostly abandoned cardboard in the recycling bin. The excitement that filled the air was electric!
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Maddie Kasimanickam

Hometown: Pullman, Wa
Area(s) of Study: Zoology (Pre-Medicine focused program)
Involvement at WSU: My extracurricular activities include being a member of the WSU chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a Pre-Medical Honors Society, and I am also the Vice President of the American Medical Student Association club on campus. Additionally, I am an undergraduate researcher in the Quock laboratory, on campus.
Hobbies: Some of my hobbies include practicing yoga, bullet journaling, and photography.

Has anything surprised you about being in the Honors College?
Every semester, I am pleasantly surprised to see the diversity of classes offered by the Honors College. The classes are taught by a host of unique professors and are focused on many disciplines. The classes I have taken in the Honors College have covered a variety of topics, ranging from the history of the Vikings to the representation of mental illness in the global world. Out of all the classes that I have taken at WSU, I always look forward to my Honors classes the most. These classes are engaging, interesting, and relevant to the world, which is the world that students will become a part of after college.

How has the Honors College helped shape your college experience?
Being in the Honors College provides me with so many unique opportunities. For example, I have been able to take Honors classes on unique and varying topics that I would not be able to learn about in the courses for my major. The Honors College has also given me the opportunity to develop amazing connections with other students and faculty. I have made some life-long friends in the Honors College. I am also an undergraduate researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Raymond Quock, who I came to know while taking his Honors 390 course on the global perspectives of mental health. I am grateful that the Honors College has provided me with a unique college experience, and that they encourage students to discover all that the world has to offer.

What is something you wish you wish you had known when you first started college?
As a freshman, I wish I had known that there is no ideal, cookie-cutter, path towards getting through college, and that each student’s journey will be unique to them. I, like several Pre-Meds, spent my freshman year focusing on my grades and spent little time finding clubs to join or activities to get involved with. At the end of my first year, I felt that I had missed out on a lot of bonding experiences that many freshmen raved about. To remedy this, during my second year of college, I joined the WSU chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, and the American Medical Student Association club on campus. By joining these two clubs, I have met other Pre-Medicine students and I have been able to network with them based on our common goal of getting into medical school. After hearing about the experiences of older students, I realized that I was in complete control of my college journey and that I should spend more time doing what I enjoyed. Although grades are very important in a college education, the otherV experiences you have, through clubs, volunteering, or studying abroad, are just as significant.
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Madison Leas

Hometown: Los Angeles, Ca
Area(s) of Study: Anthropology and Political Science
Involvement at WSU: Resident Advisor for 6 Semesters, Intern for WSU Student Legal Services, Residence Hall Government Member, Volunteer for WSU Pride Prowl Drag Show, Residence Hall Desk Assistant
Hobbies: Cooking, Stand-up Comedy, Scrapbooking, Painting

How has the Honors College helped shape your college experience?
The Honors College has opened my mind up to new ideologies and new perspectives. Through the Honors College, I have been able to build up community networks and form friendships with students across different majors and educational paths. I have been able to step outside my “academic box” and learn about different fields of study. Although my major is liberal arts based, I have been able to take classes within the Honors College that discuss STEM related topics like forensic science and the global food system.

What has been your favorite Honors College class thus far and why?
In Fall 2016, I took an Honors class called “Death Defining” with Professor Starla Meighan. The class surveyed the modern definition of death. We looked at historical perspectives on medical science and death as well as what brain scans tell us about grieving, the basic physiology of life, and the biology and physiology of death. I absolutely loved this class because it allowed me to develop a better connection with myself and my classmates. It was also outside of my academic field, which was really awesome.

What are the Honors College faculty like?
In my experience, the Honors College faculty and staff have been incredibly personable and kind. They care about you as an individual human. They will work with you, talk with you, and encourage you. They listen to your fears, aspirations, and passions. If you ever have the chance, I recommend just visiting a Honors College faculty’s office hours. Connections with faculty mentors are important.
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Thomas LeClair

Hometown: Mount Vernon, Wa
Area(s) of Study: Biology (B.S.), Music (B.A.), Pre-Vet
Involvement at WSU: Hall Government, CAS Ambassadors, Dowd Lab, Residential Technology Assistant (RTA), Organ Club, Allegro
Hobbies: My main hobbies are listening to/playing music and photography. I also like cows and trains.

Favorite Quote:
“You pile up enough tomorrows and you’ll find you’ve collected nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to make today worth remembering.” -Harold Hill, from Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man”

What is a fun fact about yourself?
A fun fact about myself is that I won an online trivia contest about Gilligan’s Island! I ended up with an iPod and a microphone.

What is your favorite weekend activity in Pullman?
One of my favorite weekend activities is perusing the Surplus Store on Friday afternoons. It’s like a WSU-themed garage sale that happens all year! Weekends are also a great time to hangout with friends or catch up on all the sleep that didn’t come during the week.
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Kiera Lucas

Hometown: Richland, Wa
Area(s) of Study: Applied Mathematics, Pre-Med
Involvement at WSU: WSU Cheer
Hobbies: I love to cook! Last summer, I tried cooking some recipes that I’ve always wanted to try and fell in love with it!

Has anything surprised you about being in the Honors College?
I was surprised at how different honors classes are from regular classes. At first, I was super nervous about taking an honors class because I thought it would be super rigorous and intense. To my surprise, it was a lot of fun! Professors in the Honors College can teach a variety of topics based on their experience and passion for that topic. An honors class can be based on anything, such as food, meditation, forensic science, movies/film, or even death! Honors classes can be challenging, but in different ways from regular classes. Instead of throwing busy work at the students, they promote collaboration with other class mates, critical thinking, and sometimes publicly presenting your knowledge in front of other peers/faculty. The challenge of these classes seem less demanding when you’re learning about something new and interesting.

Is there anything special about living in Pullman or about being a Coug?
Being a Coug means you’re a part of a massive family. That family atmosphere is what helped me fall in love with Pullman. Because it is a small college town, the options for what to do are limited. This doesn’t mean it gets boring, rather it means that you go enjoy being with your friends, maybe you go support one of the various athletic teams, or join a club. The family atmosphere is what encourages going out and being social at these events.

Favorite Quote:
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou
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Amanda Morales-Menchu

Hometown: Federal Way, Wa
Area(s) of Study: Accounting
Involvement at WSU: Current CUB employee, Hall Government (2 years)
Hobbies: Reading, Dancing, Napping

Why did you join the Honors College?
I joined the Honors College midway through my freshman year. I wanted to move away from large lecture halls and move into an environment that challenged me and my comforts. The Honors College was an opportunity to become a part of a close knit community while I faced fears such as public speaking and classroom discussions that held me behind academically in previous classes.

Is there anything special about living in Pullman or about being a Coug?
Living in Pullman is hands down the best place to transition into adulthood. WSU students receive the space to grow while having the support of family and friends. And it has been so comforting to know that my best friend down the hall or next door is going through the same transitions that I am. Spending years in a such a small town means that every hobby, friend, restaurant, etc. is within walking/bus distance.

What is a fun fact about yourself?
I’m a dog whisperer. As in, I quietly whisper to dogs that I love them as I walk by.
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Ryan O’Dea

Hometown: Spokane, Wa
Area(s) of Study: Neuroscience, French, Chinese, International Business
Involvement at WSU: Honors 198 Facilitator, Research Assistant
Hobbies: Violin and Photography

What opportunities or experiences have you had through the Honors College?
By working with the Honors College I have had the opportunity to study abroad twice in my undergraduate career. The first time I left on a trip to visit France and intensively learn the language at the oldest language lab in the world. This was my first time living in France for an extended period of time and I was able to increase my proficiency to now be able to apply to graduate degrees in French.

For my second trip abroad, the Honors College supported me to go to Taiwan as one of ten students selected as a part of a new study abroad program. In this program we attended the most prestigious university in Taiwan: National Taiwan University. All the students chosen for this program also had internships. Mine was working in the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Taipei which allowed me to not only gain experience using all three of my spoken languages, but also started me working in government directly after my sophomore year.

What has been your favorite Honors College class thus far and why?
My favorite Honors College class has to be Dr. Gerber’s Honors 390. Before the class, I had never really been in touch with my stress levels or stress mitigation. After the class was over I feel much more relieved because I now know when I’m getting stressed and the appropriate response to the situation.

What is your favorite place on campus and why?
My favorite place on campus is the new Elson S Floyd Cultural Center. I can walk down to Zoe’s and grab a bit of coffee to come back and study for a while. Not many people know that it’s open for students to use as a study center, so it can be a great place to focus!
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Alexander Phung

Hometown: Snohomish, Wa
Area(s) of Study: Pre-Medicine, Biochemistry, French
Involvement at WSU: Executive member of the WSU Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, past member of AMSA/AED
Hobbies: Reading, lifting, attending social functions, driving

What do you like most about being a student in the Honors College?
For me, the best part about being in the Honors College is that it gives me the opportunity to meet a diverse group of intellectually-competent individuals. This allows me to encounter new opinions and thought-processes, thus allowing me to diversify my own thought-processes and opinions.

Future plans/goals:
Optimal outcome, I become a doctor specializing in emergency medicine. With my knowledge of French, I hope to work with Doctors Without Borders in the Maghreb region of Africa (Northern Africa).

Favorite Quote:
“…being smart will count for nothing if you don’t make the world better. You have to use your smarts to count for something, to serve life, not death.”-Horizon Zero Dawn
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Natalie Sanchez

Hometown: Rochester, Wa
Area(s) of Study: Biochemistry/Biophysics, Math, Physics, Chemistry
Involvement at WSU: HSAC Vice President, Raptor Club
Hobbies: Reading, Breeding Rabbits, Photography

Has anything surprised you about being in the Honors College?
I was surprised by the variety of topics the Honors College classes can cover. Through the Honors College, I have been able to take classes that I thoroughly enjoyed but never pictured that I would be able to take, given my major. For example, my Honors 280 class was about creative short fiction and my Honors 380 was creative nonfiction—I hadn’t even heard of that before. In addition, my 370 class, which was about the United Nations, led to the opportunity for me to attend the National Model UN conference in New York City! I never would have expected that.

What opportunities or experiences have you had through the Honors College?
In the summer of 2017 I had the amazing opportunity to go on a faculty-led trip to Ecuador. During this trip, I took Spanish language classes and got credit for an Honors COllege course. I stayed with a host family and was immersed in Ecuadorian life. We traveled to the Andes Mountain, the Cloud Forest, and even the Galapagos Islands! It was a wonderful experience.

What is something you wish you wish you had known when you first started college?
I wish I would have known about all the different resources available to Washington State University students. Yes, I had heard about the writing center, and all the different materials we have access to through the libraries, but it took me much longer to go and use those resources. I wish I had tried out those resources ahead of time so I would have known how to get the most out of them when I needed them.
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Sarah Schroeder

Hometown: West Richland, Wa
Area(s) of Study: Bioengineering and Math
Involvement at WSU: Honors College Mentor, HSAC
Hobbies: Reading, writing, running, cooking, eating, singing, listening to music

What do you like most about being a student in the Honors College?
The Honors College gives amazing opportunities to deserving students who work hard while building a network of talented peers. It also helps create meaningful connections with classmates and professors through smaller class sizes and courses focused on discussion

What opportunities or experiences have you had through the Honors College?
I had the opportunity to be a part of the Honors College Global Leadership Program. In this class, we collaborated with students from Southwest University in China and got to meet lots of interesting global leaderswhile discussing current events on a daily basis. It was unique and refreshing. I also have the opportunity to present my research at the National Collegiate Honors Conference next fall due to my participation in the Honors College and I’m really looking forward to that.

What is your favorite weekend activity in Pullman?
I really like getting friends together and cooking dinner or dessert together and then having a movie night. Either that or going out to dinner and a movie. The free movies on campus are an amazing deal and we usually go to that on Friday nights!
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Lucy Wavra

Hometown: East Wenatchee, Wa
Area(s) of Study: History, Education, Communication, Spanish
Involvement at WSU: I want to keep a structured level of involvement, so I choose an academic, leadership, and a fun extra-curricular each semester. I have been involved in several clubs (Cable8, KUGR, Heely Club, etc.). I have a job filming sports for the stadium screens through the school. I am in a sorority, participate in YoungLife, and briefly served on an ASWSU committee.
Hobbies: In the winter, I try to get in the mountains to ski as much as I can. But year-round, however, I love hiking, reading, watching musical theatre, and baking. I participate in my sorority and am involved with clubs on campus in the History and Communication colleges, as well as working the coolest job on campus – filming cougar athletics!

Future plans/goals:
I plan to graduate with a degree in History. But first, I have to decide if I want to pursue a teaching career, go into law, or become a museum curator. If all these options fail, I will attend the most prestigious clown school available and join the circus.

Is there anything special about living in Pullman or about being a Coug?
Pullman and WSU have beautifully cultivated a community where simply being a Coug becomes a ticket for friendships around the world. The “Cougs help Cougs” mentality is a real thing, and quite cool to witness in action. Without a doubt, I can say WSU is the most special school as far as school spirit goes – it applies outside of sports and school, and follows you through life!

What is a fun fact about yourself?
I lived in Liverpool when I was in first grade and attended Dovedale Infant School This is the same school where John Lennon and George Harrison of The Beatles went to primary school!
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