Honors College Mentors
The Honors Mentor program pairs incoming freshmen with current Honors students based on shared academic areas of interest. Mentors strive to integrate the new students into the Honors community throughout the year by being resources to answer questions and by organizing activities where new friendships are forged. Their most important job is to help new students adjust to, and engage with, the academic challenges that a top-tier research university offers.
2020-21 Honors College Mentors
Juliana LeClair
Cameron Barton
Libby Allen
Mackenzie Ault
Corrinne Berg
Madeline (Maddy) Boehland
Owen Canterbury
Riley Coonen
Caitlin Fitzpatrick
Nastasha Garrison
Madeleine Harvey
Megan Johnson
David Jones
Kathryn Jones
Brianna Knode
Amy Kraemer
Juliana LeClair, Senior
Mentor Program Chair
Hometown: Mount Vernon, WA
Area(s) of Study: Agriculture and Food Business Economics, Animal Science, Spanish
Involvement at WSU: Honors Student Advisory Council, CAHNRS Ambassador, and worked in Residence Life as Resident Advisor and Assistant Hall Director
Hobbies: Reading, playing pool, baking
Fun Fact: I own a cow named Honey Lemon!
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
I appreciate the tight knit community of Honors Cougs! There are plenty of opportunities to meet other Honors Cougs and develop strong friendships within the college.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
Every single one of my Honors instructors has been passionate about their class, which has created an exceptional learning environment. One of my favorite Honors classes was with Dr. Gruen, who made every class engaging through his excitement on the topic we were covering.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
One myth about the Honors College is that the classes are harder. Honors classes aren’t harder, they are just in a different format than UCORE classes! Honors classes are conducive to discussion and collaboration with your peers, which has made them some of the best classes I’ve taken. The instructors are always willing to assist you if you have questions or concerns. There is plenty of support to ensure success in Honors classes!
Cameron Barton, Sophomore
Assistant Mentor Program Chair
Hometown: Genesee, ID
Area(s) of Study: Music – Piano Performance, Music Technology
Involvement at WSU: MTNA, HSAC, Allegro, Emerging Leaders, Crimson VIP
Hobbies: Playing piano and drums, hiking, snow skiing, biking, swimming, reading, and spending time with my dog Ace.
Fun Fact: The first time I played a pipe organ was in the Duke Chapel at Duke University.
What is your favorite place on campus, and why?
It is difficult to pick a favorite because there are numerous places on campus I am fond of, but if I had to narrow it down I would pick Thompson Flats. From Thompson Flats you get a great view of Pullman and some of the best buildings on campus like Thompson Hall. In the winter you can go sledding, and in the fall/spring you can relax, setup a hammock, and play frisbee or football.
What is your favorite weekend activity to do on the Palouse? (Moscow-Pullman area)
I definitely enjoy taking walks to downtown Pullman. There is a great walkway that goes by the President’s house, under the WSU historic archway, and through Reaney Park. There are some very appealing restaurants and coffee shops in downtown Pullman, and when you look up the hill you can see the WSU campus.
What opportunities/experiences have you had through the Honors College?
While in the Honors College I have been a part of HSAC (Honors Student Advisory Council) and helped organize events like the annual Honors College Yule Ball. I have also attended distinguished scholarship presentations and guest lectures. In addition to that, I have helped with Honors College Commencement where I was able to observe the ceremony in which each Honors graduating senior is recognized.
Mackenzie Ault, Junior
Hometown: Redmond, WA
Area(s) of Study: Marketing Major
Involvement at WSU: I’m currently not active in any clubs.
Hobbies: Hiking, soccer, frisbee, and basketball.
Fun Fact: I think the minions from Despicable Me are really cute.
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
I appreciate the introduction to mindfulness and the supportive staff that makes up the Honors College.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
Professors: I have especially enjoyed working with Lydia Gerber and Cory Custer. They have introduced me to mindfulness. They both always make class exciting and fun because we are always learning something new. They have taught me skills that I know I will be able to use now and in the future.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
The Honors College is scary. The honors college provides a different type of learning style. Instead of writing notes and taking exams the Honors College develops discussions to dive deeper into a topic. The thesis at the end sounds intimidating, but there is a ton of support from the staff. They are determined to help you any way they can.
Corinne Berg, Sophomore
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Area(s) of Study: Biology, Pre-Medicine
Involvement at WSU: Treasurer and founding member of WSU HOSA
Hobbies: Swimming, being with friends and family, and playing with my dogs
Fun Fact: I am a triplet!
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
I enjoy the perks of having smaller classroom sizes, and having more classroom-based discussions among my peers. I also appreciate the priority registration that Honors Students receive.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
I love the teachers I have met so far. All of my professors have been very passionate about the subjects that they teach, and that shines through during their discussions in class.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
While the Honors College is rigorous, these discussion-based classes usually do not have exams, and I consider that to be less stressful!
Madeline (Maddy) Boehland, Junior
Hometown: Meridian, ID
Area(s) of Study: Animal Science, Pre-Vet Track
Involvement at WSU: Ignite Undergraduate Research Program, Honors Mentor Program, and Cougar Connector
Hobbies: I love to watch movies, go on long drives, and shop with friends.
Fun Fact: I got to study abroad for 2 weeks in Costa Rica in Summer of 2019
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
I will be forever grateful for the opportunities the Honors College has given me, which includes a scholarship to study abroad and acceptance into the 7-Year WSU Vet School Program.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
Some of my favorite professors include: Dean Norton for his sunny disposition and lovely smile, Dr. Anderson for always making me laugh, and Dr. Bond for her excitement about learning and amazing personality.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
The foreign language requirement is super easy to obtain. I was able to meet the requirements within 2 years of learning Spanish for the first time! If you already know the language, try the test! Worst comes to worst you have to take a few extra classes, but it’s not worth stressing over.
Owen Canterbury, Senior
Hometown: Ellensburg, WA
Area(s) of Study: Biochemistry, German
Involvement at WSU: Undergraduate Researcher, Undergraduate Research Peer Mentor, College of Veterinary Medicine Promoter
Hobbies: Running, hiking, and gardening
Fun Fact: I can label a blank map of the world with all 196 countries and their respective capitals.
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
I love the opportunities, support, and interesting course work that Honors provides to its students.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
Dr. William Hamlin, Dr. Robin Bond, Dr. Peter Meighan, Dr. William Smith
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
Being an Honors student doesn’t mean you are cooped up with academics or are taking harder classes. In fact, some of the most outgoing, adventurous I know are Honors students.
Riley Coonen, Senior
Hometown: Helena, MT
Area(s) of Study: Elementary education with an English language learners endorsement
Involvement at WSU: SWEA member, CEE volunteer
Hobbies: Reading, playing pool, baking
Fun Fact: Since I’m from Montana, I’ve seen a lot of bears.
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
I really appreciate priority registration as an Honors Coug! Registering for classes can be a stressful time, so having more confidence in getting the classes you need makes all the difference.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
My favorite Honors College professors make sure that regardless of the class, we discuss social issues that need to be confronted. They work hard to stay well informed on all subjects and want to learn more from their students as well.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
Before coming to WSU, I was worried the Honors College was very exclusive, and I wouldn’t meet many people outside of it; however, this couldn’t be further from true! While the Honors College does have a tight-knit community, there are so many opportunities to get involved with students from all over WSU!
Caitlin Fitzpatrick, Sophomore
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Area(s) of Study: Animal Science and Zoology Pre-Vet
Involvement at WSU: I am a Research Assistant in the Animal Science Labs, a member of Circle K International club, and a recipient of the Honors College 7-year Accelerated Vet Program
Hobbies: I love swimming, lifting weights, and boxing!
Fun Fact: I have a Goldendoodle named Leo whose favorite chew toy is a stuffed lion.
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
What I enjoy most about being an Honors coug are the intimate relationships I can build with my peers due to small class sizes and the continuous support I get from the Honors College professors even when I am not in their class.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
Dean Norton, Dr. Gerber, and Dr. Schultz are just a few of my favorite Honors College faculty. Dean Norton has taught a few of my leadership classes and always has the most welcoming and bright attitude that makes it exciting to learn. Dr. Gerber is one of the most compassionate and kind-hearted people I have ever met, and she prioritizes our mental health as students when we forget to prioritize that ourselves. Dr. Schultz is extremely down to earth, a pun considering she is a botanist, and she has been both supportive and informative during my Honors Thesis process.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
The Honors College is not just for the book worms and study fanatics, but rather for the people that have a strong curiosity for the world around them and the hope to better understand themselves as a growing individual. So many of my fellow Honors cougs are a part of Greek life, an athlete, a club enthusiast, and above all, a student dedicated to learning.
Nastasha Garrison, Sophomore
Hometown: Hamilton, MT
Area(s) of Study: Economics, Japanese
Involvement at WSU: Japanese TA, REC center classes, volunteer work (CCE), tutoring
Hobbies: Anything to do with music, ceramics, martial arts, motorcycle riding
Fun Fact: I lived in Japan for 13 years.
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
The pride and tight-knit community.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty or staff members:
Professor Chilson (English 198) & Professor Kuzyk (Econs 198) are my two favorite honors professors because they interact with students and never seem bored with their subject.
Favorite quote, and by who:
“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” – Gone With the Wind
Megan Johnson, Junior
Hometown: Redmond, WA
Area(s) of Study: Biochemistry/Molecular Biology (Pre-Med), Spanish
Involvement at WSU: I was an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for an Introductory Genetics & Cell Biology course for three semesters. I am also involved in undergraduate research in the Department of Psychology.
Hobbies: love to cook and bake, and I especially enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone to try new recipes! I also enjoy painting and hiking.
Fun Fact: I have been ziplining in three different countries (United States, Canada, and Costa Rica).
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
I enjoy the smaller class size of Honors courses and how easy it is to connect with your professors and make friends with your fellow classmates. It makes the learning environment very approachable and I feel more comfortable participating in discussions because of it.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
Dr. Gerber is a wonderful professor and I loved her Honors 290 course! She is very knowledgeable and encourages both critical thinking and self-reflection so we can easily apply what we learn. She clearly cares about her students and was always willing to meet outside of class if we needed additional help. Dr. Shier is another fantastic professor. He’s passionate about what he teaches and prompts excellent discussions on philosophy that expand your way of thinking. He also has an upbeat attitude and I had lots of fun in his Honors 280 course!
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
When I joined the Honors College, I thought that the classes would be significantly harder, but that’s not necessarily the case. You pick your Honors classes based on topics that interest you, so while they can be challenging, they also tend to be more engaging and meaningful. Since I truly enjoy my Honors classes, to me they don’t feel like “work.”
Brianna (Bri) Knode, Junior
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
Area(s) of Study: Dual Degrees in Genetics & Cell Biology and Chemistry, minor in Biochemistry
Involvement at WSU: Officer At-Large and Secretary of the College of Arts and Sciences Student Ambassadors, Vice President of Community Service of the WSU chapter of the National Society for Collegiate Scholars, Leadership WSU, Undergraduate Research, Delta member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
Hobbies: I love to read, cook/bake, do arts and crafts (I’m currently working on a crocheted temperature blanket), watch movies, play video and board games, and do outdoorsy stuff like hike and kayak.
Fun Fact: I have hyperosmia, which means I have a very sensitive sense of smell (it’s kind of a blessing and a curse).
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
My favorite things about being an Honors Coug are the tight-knit community and small class sizes! Sometimes it can be difficult to connect with other students in large lecture classes, and because of Honors, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know peers and professors alike and make some close friends.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
Dr. Bond has taught three of my classes since I’ve started at WSU, and has also helped me with many advising and other academic questions throughout my time here. She’s so approachable and knowledgeable, and I can’t express how thankful I am for her help during the last three years.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
One myth I can bust about the Honors College is the common misconception that students have to compete against their peers to be successful. I think that, when many high- achieving and motivated students are gathered into one place, most people assume that the resulting atmosphere would be highly competitive. However, that has not been my experience in Honors. The reason I joined, actually, was because I saw how the structure encouraged students to work together and be supportive of each other, rather than tear other students down.
Amy Kraemer, Junior
Hometown: Amity, OR
Area(s) of Study: Kinesiology, Strength and Conditioning Minor
Involvement at WSU: Kinesiology club, Biomechanics lab, Track and Field team
Hobbies: Exploring the Palouse, lifting weights, drinking coffee
Fun Fact: My family owns and lives on a Christmas Tree farm!
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
You really get to know your classmates!
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
Dr. Kim Andersen has been one of my favorites I have taken a class from! He is engaging and makes class entertaining.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
Honors classes are not harder than UCORE classes. The structure of honors courses (at least the ones I have taken) are more flexible with what you want to get out of it. They are also more opinion based (again, at least from my experiences) which has really helped me in developing and defending my opinions in the real world.
Emma Ledbetter
Hometown: Newcastle, WA
Area(s) of Study: Microbiology (Pre-Med)
Involvement at WSU: Editor-in-chief at the Daily Evergreen, Honors Hall government, Young Life leader, Research Scholars program, Emerging Leaders program, Country Swing Dancing Club, Real Life Church, Chemistry Teaching Assistant
Hobbies: Hiking, snowshoeing, reading, traveling, photography, napping, playing with dogs!
Fun Fact: I collect stuffed microbes, including SARS-CoV-2, Rhinovirus, and a Tardigrade. More to come soon!
How has the Honors College prepared you for your future?
The Honors College has given me a space to learn and discuss ideas with a diverse range of classmates. This has helped me think outside the box and be open to many different perspectives, two skills that will help me in my future life. Also, working on my Honors thesis has helped me integrate research into the writing skills I already use in my work, which I will hopefully use in a future career.
What are your future plans and goals?
After I graduate, I am looking to use my clips from The Daily Evergreen to apply for a science writing or travel writing internship. Ultimately, I hope to be a science writer at a major newspaper/magazine or research institution. I love helping non-scientists understand research, so that is what I hope to spend my career doing!
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
My favorite experience through the Honors College was meeting a great group of friends freshman year. We all lived together in Honors Hall and had classes together. I’m still friends with most of them, and we all encourage each other in school and life. Additionally, the Honors College has given me a lot of scholarship opportunities to fund my education, which makes my college experience a little less stressful.
Katie McLeod, Senior
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Area(s) of Study: Biology Pre-Medicine
Involvement at WSU: Chair of Student Health Advisory Committee, President of Cougar Health Awareness Team
Hobbies: Swimming, cross stitching, watching Netflix
Fun Fact: My parents, grandma, aunt and uncle all graduated from University of Washington. Go Cougs!
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
I appreciate the community of being an Honors Coug. The small class sizes mean that you get to know each other, and I love having all of the extra friends.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
I have loved all of my Honors professors but one that comes to mind is Dr. Marsha Quinlan. I took medical anthropology with her and she gave such fun lectures.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
A myth I can bust about the Honors College is that the students and professors are stuffy academics. Everyone I have met in Honors is well-rounded and is involved in some awesome extracurriculars.
Audra Mirate, Senior
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Area(s) of Study: Zoology and wildlife ecology
Involvement at WSU: Honors College, Housing and Residence Life, Zoology Club
Hobbies: Taking walks around campus, watching nature and true crime documentaries, watching WSU sports, yoga and stretching
Fun Fact: I have 4 cats and a dog back home
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
Being in Honors, I really enjoy the small class sizes and the variety of topics that get covered in the courses because each professor teaches a different subject.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
My favorite Honors faculty is Sergey Lapin. He is really funny and makes class fun and not too serious while also giving us an education.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
A myth I hear a lot is that you have to be in a hard core science major or some sort of international studies to be in Honors which is totally not true. There is probably someone from every major in the Honors College and you will 100% meet others in the same program as you. It is really nice to see familiar faces in your honors course and your major’s classes; it’s a great way to make friends too!
Estela Navarro, Sophomore
Hometown: Wenatchee, WA
Area(s) of Study: Economics (Policy and Law), Spanish, Political Science
Involvement at WSU: Residence Hall Government Vice President, Emerging Leaders, Global Citizenship Program.
Hobbies: Playing the clarinet, hanging with friends, going to football games
Fun Fact: I paged in the Washington State Senate
What is your favorite weekend activity to do on the Palouse? (Moscow-Pullman area)
The Palouse has a lot of great scenery contrary to what most people believe! My favorite park is Sunnyside Park in Pullman and it is always a great place for a picnic or to just get outside of campus!
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
Since the Honors College is a small college it is great to be able to make friends with everyone in the college as well as have more one on one time with professors!
Favorite memory from your freshman year:
One of my absolute favorite memories from freshman year was joining Hall Government. I lived in Gannon and Goldsworthy and I was the Vice President of the hall. Joining hall government was the best decision I made freshman year and that is where I met my best friends! And of course Cougar Football Saturdays are ALWAYS a favorite!
Madison Neyland, Sophomore
Hometown: Renton, WA
Area(s) of Study: Mathematics Education, Statistics
Involvement at WSU: Honors College Ambassador, Math Learning Center tutor, Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) Student Chapter, Math Club
Hobbies: Running, baking, helping people with math, board games
Fun Fact: Running a marathon is on my bucket list! So far, the longest run I have done is 17 miles.
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
My favorite part of being an Honors College Coug is how connected I feel to the Honors community. I have gotten to know so many like-minded classmates in the Honors College because of the small class sizes and the semi-set course order, which makes it likely to have multiple classes with the same classmates. It is honestly crazy how often I randomly see someone from the Honors College on campus.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
All my Honors College professors have gone above and beyond what I expected. One of my favorite Honors professors is Dr. Phil Gruen. His bright enthusiasm for the content and genuine interest for his students’ wellbeing create a positive learning environment that motivated me to challenge myself and be passionate about my work. Another of my favorite Honors professors is Dr. Sergey Lapin. Each class his extensive experience and knowledge of several subjects shines through his lectures and personal stories. In addition, Dr. Sergey creates a light and humorous class environment where everyone is encouraged to contribute.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
The biggest myth of Honors College is that it is “harder” than the regular college path, and it was one of my fears before joining. However, I quickly learned that Honors classes are not innately “harder”—you just spend your time and effort differently than you do in non-Honors classes. Personally, I find the typical Honors curriculum, which generally focuses on discussion and projects, more satisfying and rewarding than typical non-Honors curriculum which focuses on reading textbooks and taking exams.
Griffin Rinauro, Sophomore
Hometown: Bellingham, WA
Area(s) of Study: Mechanical Engineering, minor in Math
Involvement at WSU: Honors 198 Facilitator; Technical Lab Assistant at the HYPER Lab; Math Club
Hobbies: Hiking, running, watching movies, music
Fun Fact: I have traveled to over ten countries, mostly in Europe!
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
I love the advisors! Out of all my other advisors, the honors ones are the only ones who consistently respond to me with thoughtful answers and are always looking out for me. I constantly receive personal emails from them pushing me to pursue new opportunities.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
I have so many, but if I had to narrow it down, I love Dr. Norton, Dr. Bond, and Dr. Kuzyk. They made their classes so personable, and I felt as if I could always reach out to them or even just sit down to have a conversation about anything inside or outside of the classroom.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
“Honors is so much harder than UCORE” it’s not! I would say it differs in the way that it challenges you to think more obscurely rather than a “status quo” form of thinking, but I believe the skills you learn in honors help in greater ways when it comes to problems outside of the classroom.
Patrick Robichaud, Senior
Hometown: Moscow, ID
Area(s) of Study: Major: Civil Engineering Minors: Spanish and Sustainable Development
Involvement at WSU: Environmental Sustainability Alliance Chair, Head Honors Ambassador, Researcher, and Adventure Facilitator at Outdoor Recreation Center.
Hobbies: Mountain biking, hiking, and sailing, plus I love reading a good book.
Fun Fact: I have traveled to over ten countries, mostly in Europe!
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
The Honors College has taught me the importance of relationships and getting to know your professors; which is easier to do in smaller classes. The programs and presentations that the Honors College hosts have taught me the importance of hard work and that you should apply for as many things as possible because you never know when you might get accepted.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
Dr. Robin Bond is fantastic! She has helped me apply for many scholarships and lead the Honors 198 facilitators. Dr. Bond cares about the Honors students and wants all of them to succeed.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
It is more difficult. False, honors classes are no more difficult just different. There is more writing and group work and less tests.
Audrey Snedecor, Sophomore
Hometown: Steilacoom, WA
Area(s) of Study: Animal Science (Pre-vet)
Involvement at WSU: Cougar Marching Band, HOSA: Future Medical Professionals Club, Orphan Acres/Whitman County Humane Society Volunteer
Hobbies: Hiking with my dog, running, making smoothies, reading with my cats
Fun Fact: My favorite mythical creatures are dragons
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
I appreciate the welcoming environment which maintains the perfect conditions for discussion and collaboration. Even if you have a specific goal or focus, you are always allowed to explore new or different things from a myriad of resources.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
Dr. Makin, who taught Honors 290: Science as a Way of Knowing, made learning about the intricacies of different technologies and how they fit into our society fascinating. He spent so much time and effort designing a curriculum packed with entertaining books, articles, and even Netflix’s Black Mirror series. In addition to challenging our ingrained ways of thinking and encouraging us to move out of our comfort zones, Dr. Makin was always kind and understanding to individual circumstances.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
One myth about the Honors College that I have heard is that all the classes are just more difficult, content-heavy versions of UCORE classes. This is so far from the truth! Honors college classes do require active participation and attention to detail but come with the rewards of a discussion-based atmosphere, the ability to express creativity through various projects, and an unrestrictive curriculum that allows for many different concepts within a certain topic.
Muthuu Svs
Hometown:Olympia, WA
Area(s) of Study: Computer Engineering, Mathematics
Involvement at WSU: Computer Science Teaching Assistant, Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, WSU Software Development Club, Ultimate Frisbee Club
Hobbies: Cooking, binge watching Netflix series, Ultimate Frisbee, Frisbee Golf, Watching football and basketball.
Fun Fact: : I have swam in 3 out of the 5 Oceans
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
The priority registration is a huge plus. I can configure any schedule and not worry about being waitlisted. I really appreciate the community inside Honors. We are like-minded individuals who help each other out. Cougs help Cougs out.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
All the Honors College professors are great. They want us to succeed and sympathize with us. My favorite professor so far is Dr.Kuzyk in ECON, she always related the topic we were learning to real life scenarios and topics.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
The Honors College is not harder than UCORE classes. Its different work. For my Honors 290 class (History of Space Travel) we designed a NASA mission to explore a planet. We had to do research and support our claims like in an essay, but its just a different format. This is just one example.
Kate Valentine, Junior
Hometown: Valmeyer, IL
Area(s) of Study: Wildlife Society
Involvement at WSU: Kinesiology club, Biomechanics lab, Track and Field team
Hobbies: Wildlife Society (Secretary), Zoology Club, HSAC
Fun Fact: My favorite animal is the Partula snail, which I worked with at the St. Louis Zoo when I was in high school.
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
My favorite part about being in Honors is the honors classes. All the honors classes I’ve taken so far (280, 380, 290, etc) have all been on really interesting topics.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
My favorite Honors College professor has been Annie Lampman. I had her for Honors 380, and her class was on creative nonfiction essays. She is super nice and very enthusiastic about creative nonfiction!
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
I think some people worry that honors classes will be harder than regular classes (like the classes you would take for UCORE if you weren’t in Honors). In my experience they aren’t harder than regular classes. They are challenging without being too hard.
Taylor Veach, Junior
Hometown: Gresham, OR
Area(s) of Study: Animal Science major with Pre-Veterinary track, Spanish minor
Involvement at WSU: CAHNRS Ambassadors, Honors College Mentor Program, WSU Dairy Challenge
Hobbies: I enjoy riding horses, walking my dog, and running!
Fun Fact: I studied abroad in Belize for 2 weeks in the Summer of 2019!
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
I enjoy the close relationships with the professors.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
My favorite Honors College professors are professors that are genuinely interested in your academic and personal wellbeing, along with being very engaging and excited to teach.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
The Honors College does not provide unique experiences to students. False! It does, including undergraduate research opportunities, internships, and more!
Jennifer Warren, Senior
Hometown: Dayton, WA
Area(s) of Study: Hospitality Business Management, Spanish
Involvement at WSU: Country Swing Dancing Club, Sigma Iota, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Hobbies: Climbing, swimming, dancing, painting/crafting of all sorts, watching movies, the occasional indoor skydiving flight, thrift shopping, and wandering Hobby Lobby for hours
Fun Fact: I can recite all 50 states in alphabetical order…in under 17 seconds!
What do you enjoy/appreciate most about being an Honors Coug?
My favorite part about being an Honors Coug is the community that I am a part of! I love meeting new people in class or through clubs and I’m continually surprised by how many of them are in the Honors College. You instantly have something significant in common which makes it easy to start a conversation.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members
Everyone in the Honors college genuinely wants to help you, and small class sizes allow for professors to connect more deeply with students!
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College, and how?
Myth: “Honors classes are harder.” Busted: A lot of the honors classes don’t have big tests and are instead based on participation during in-class activities.
Lucy Wavra, Junior
Hometown: East Wenatchee, WA
Area(s) of Study: History, Education, Communication
Involvement at WSU: Heely Club secretary, sports crew (job with cougar athletics), Honors Ambassador and 198 facilitator, History Club, Alpha Omicron Pi
Hobbies: Skiing, baking, watercoloring
Fun Fact: I have been to 13 countries! Two I have lived in, and three I have done international volunteering in!
What is your favorite weekend activity to do on the Palouse? (Moscow-Pullman area)
Spring semester of 2019, I went to Moscow every Friday after class with my friend, Belle. We usually grabbed a coffee from somewhere we had never been before, and poked around downtown Moscow for a cool spot to do some homework. It was a nice time to explore what our immediate vicinity has to offer, as well as kick back and relax with someone I really love!
What opportunities/experiences have you had through the Honors College?
In my Honors 280 class about the history of portraiture, we got to go on a tour of the vault in the art museum. I got to hold a death mask of Abraham Lincoln, which is an experience this history major will never forget.
Favorite quote, and by who:
“We are like dwarves perched on the shoulders of giants, and thus we are able to see more an farther than the latter. And this is not at all because of the acuteness of our sight or the stature of our body, but because we are carried aloft and elevated by the magnitude of the giants.” Bernard of Chartres, by John of Salisbury
Christina (Christi) Webster, Junior
Hometown: Kalispell, MT
Area(s) of Study: Bioengineering, Minor in Mathematics and German
Involvement at WSU: Society of Women Engineers (Vice President), Biomedical Engineering Society, Undergraduate Research with Dr. Haluk Beyenal
Hobbies: Paint by numbers, hiking, kayaking, ice-skating, and cross-stitching
Fun Fact: I have two parakeets named Poppy and Pirahna!
What do you enjoy most about being an Honors Coug?
I love the community in the Honors College. The classes are smaller which allows you to build good relationships with your classmates and the professors. This has helped me have good referenced for recommendation letters, find unique opportunities, and feel at home at WSU.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members:
I have had many great professors in the Honors College, but one of my favorites was Debbie Lee (English 298). Though English is not my favorite topic, I loved going to her class because there was always interesting discussion, and she always provided a lot of help while I was writing essays.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College and how?
One general myth about Honors College programs is that the curriculum is very difficult and will require extra work. Here at WSU, the Honors Courses are challenging because you think of topics in different ways and explore unique aspects of science, literature, or humanities; not because they have a ton of homework. You also have more choice in the topic of an Honors class, which helped me stay engaged and find them less challenging.
Olivia Willis, Junior
Hometown: Deer Park, WA
Area(s) of Study: Dual degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology on a Pre-Med track, Minoring in French
Involvement at WSU: : Resident Advisor, Research Assistant in 3 labs on campus, President of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Pre-Med Club, mentor through the Team Mentoring Program, Cougar Leadership Program participant, Wellness Specialist of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Emergency Room Volunteer through the NARAP program
Hobbies: Working out, hiking, playing with my kitten, listening to vinyl records
Fun Fact:I play ukulele
What do you enjoy most about being an Honors Coug?
I love connecting with students who are all pursuing different life paths and different majors and opportunities at WSU. I have been able to network with successful people that I would not have been able to meet otherwise.
Describe some of your favorite Honors College professors, faculty, or staff members:
Professor Chilson is incredible and really cares about his students learning and development. The Honors College faculty all get to know each student in their classes and encourage them to reach their full potential.
What is a myth you can bust about the Honors College and how?
A myth is that the classes are way more difficult. They are similar to UCORE courses in difficulty but focus more on group work and writing than UCORE courses. They are more involved and provide more interaction between students.