by Mya Brossoit

The College of Professional Programs is proud to feature EWU MS Organizational Leadership Alumna, Alissa Muñoz. 

Muñoz currently works as Interim Executive Director for the Community Colleges of Spokane, and Corporate & Continuing Education Division. Alissa completed her M.S. in Organizational Leadership  degree in October 2023, and celebrated this accomplishment by walking in Eastern’s commencement ceremony this June.

Alissa testifies to the remarkable benefits the program has offered her in her career. As an Interim Executive Director, she tells of the countless lessons and tools she has learned to implement in her career.

I was able to draw on current working experiences in every class of the program. I found that to be the most exciting part!

Muñoz loved the various ways she could relate to the content of the classroom in her everyday life. Not only was she able to dive into ideas she is familiar with, but expand her perspectives in a new and invigorating way.

I also loved that this program pushed me to think outside the box to solve unique problems, it was like I was tapping into part of my brain that was never open before!

Though she found much excitement in her school work, the road was not all smooth during the journey. In the midst of being a mother, wife, student and employee, Alissa shares her challenges in balancing various responsibilities throughout her life. Yet through it all, her support system and husband partnered with her in influential ways so that she could accomplish her academic goals.

Alissa recognizes Samantha Armstrong Ash and Brian Davenport as faculty members who encouraged and helped her every step of the way. She remains forever grateful for their generous support and encouragement during her time at Eastern.

As both an undergraduate and graduate alum, Alissa has grown very fond of Eastern and all the university has to offer. Specifically, Muñoz enjoys the small town EWU is located in, the convenient class sizes, and cheerful football games that occur on Roos Field. She deeply appreciates EWU and all the wonderful memories it has brought her!

Muñoz advises other students considering this graduate degree to boldly take the step in applying and beginning the masters program. Though starting can be the most challenging part of the process, she states, “you will be so proud of what you accomplish in the end!”

As the College of Professional Programs, congratulates Alissa Muñoz for all her hard work and accomplishments!

The School of Business, The Institute for Public Policy and Economic Analysis (IPPEA), and The College Of Professional Programs, are sponsoring a business lecture series this spring entitled the “Future of Work & Entrepreneurship in Spokane” at the Catalyst Building in Spokane. Alumni and community members are welcome to attend.  Please join us on:

• Wednesday March 13th, 5:30 – 6:45 pm
  • Guest Speakers: Rand Miller, Co-founder, and Hanna Gamiel, CEO, at Cyan Gaming
• Wednesday April 10th, 5:30 – 6:45 pm
  • Guest Speaker: Katy Bruya, ’93 EWU Alumna and SVP & Chief HR Officer for Washington Trust Bank
• Wednesday May 15th, 5:30 – 6:45 pm
  • Guest Speaker: Dan Roark, CEO at Gestalt Diagnostics

For details on parking, click here.

Social Work Interns Tackle Community Needs

Congratulations to Cara Hernandez ’12, graduate of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, for being recognized as a Young Professional 2023 by the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business. Cara is the Director of Meals on Wheels, serving Benton and Franklin Counties.  Cara also serves on the EWU Alumni Association Board of Directors.  To learn more, read the story here.

by Mya Brossoit

Nicholas “Nick” Mehrnoosh, MS Psychology ‘22, an adjunct faculty member for the School of  Psychology, participated in a guest presentation for Stroke Community Day at Providence St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute on May 18th. His presentation was titled, “Cultivating Self-Compassion and Resilience Post-Stroke.”  Amanda Smith-Treadwell, Senior Speech Language Pathologist with St. Luke’s, writes that, “this is an annual event hosted by St. Luke’s with the goal of providing ongoing support for families and individuals who have suffered strokes …This year’s focus is looking at taking care of yourself beyond the stroke.”

One of the main goals he had in giving the presentation was to emphasize a notion of “intervention through kindness”.  He notes that after an individual has sustained a stroke there are multiple complications, medical and musculoskeletal that can impact their long-term quality of life. Additionally,

These complications can further extend into the psychosocial realm, leaving someone struggling with mood and emotional changes that fundamentally alter how they express their personality, behaviors, and relative self-confidence.

Therefore he promotes self-compassion as an intervention strategy, that can “engender a mindset of mindful kindness towards the stress of everyday life post-stroke, subsequently enhancing emotional resilience into the future.”

When asked how a psychological approach to post-stroke resilience and self-compassion differs from other therapy-based interventions (speech, physical, etc.), Nick notes that interventions for medical and musculoskeletal complications are important, but so is a psychosocial approach.  Physical Therapy strengthens physicality and mobility, Speech Therapy “facilitates the improvement of cognitive-communication skills”, but improving emotional resilience through self-compassion can assist with the psychosocial complications of a stroke. He notes that it isn’t uncommon for post-stroke survivors to experience “persistent depressive symptoms, which are generally described as feeling disconnected from their pre-stroke life.”

By regaining a sense of purpose through cultivating self-compassion, this helps “re-frame the mindset towards a balanced perception of the challenges that long-term rehabilitation can produce. From this avenue, the intention is to reduce or eliminate the relative impact of depression and anxiety symptoms and engender the individual to engage in new activities and roles to create greater post-stroke adjustment and quality of life.”

For current or future students who may be interested in working with stroke patients or their support networks, Nick recommends that they:

Remain open-minded to a stroke survivor’s lived experiences and be willing to engage in new opportunities, which might be outside your comfort zone. There is no growth, personally or professionally, without a modicum of adversity and working with individuals that have sustained a neurological injury can be a difficult task mentally and emotionally. That being said, it’s also very rewarding being a part of helping an individual rediscover their potential, whether you’re an advocate or Psychologist, this is the end goal.

If students would like to pursue experiential learning opportunities, he says to look within local and state communities where hospitals and clinics are in need of volunteers for adult post-stroke care, and  non-profit organizations that work on advocacy at the state level, and advises them to:

Get connected with your advisors in your majors and community stakeholders. As students, you have an opportunity to engage in a variety of environments and it’s best to try as many as possible, because that will help you grow and understand the populations you want to work with and support.

We thank Nick for his time sharing some insight into post-stroke care, and guidance for students who are interested in entering helping professions.

by Mya Brossoit

The College of Professional Programs is proud to recognize EWU School of Psychology Alumna, Heather Morris Tuip.

Heather graduated from Eastern in 2022 with her Bachelor’s degree. She majored in Psychology and minored in Communications while attending college and is now pursuing her doctorate in clinical psychology from Antioch University in Seattle. She is currently working on her first pre-internship at Swedish Health Services and plans to participate in a pre-internship at Monroe Correctional Complex in the future.

The academic course load of my major and minor gave me a solid foundation for my grad school aspirations.

When asked about her experience at EWU, Heather recalls the enjoyable, small, class sizes that EWU’s Bellevue satellite offers. This provided her with the deep support and access to professors that influenced her college career in big ways.

The small class sizes at the EWU Bellevue College campus and the easy, supportive access to the professors there allowed me to pursue research interests that gave my grad school aspirations wings.

Though she reports her time at Eastern fondly, her trajectory through school did not occur as planned. Along with many students around the world, Heather faced the obstacle of online school amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As she questioned the certainty of her planned future and academic goals, Heather tells of how the pandemic’s effects shaped her character for the better.

Keeping a flexible mindset helped me stay flexible in the face of the new challenge of online classes. This mindset has continued to help me overcome unplanned obstacles elsewhere in my life and studies.

She gratefully describes the smooth transition EWU was able to make during this sudden event. Heather shares how “EWU was able to quickly pivot and switch to an online format which meant that I was still able to graduate on time.”

Heather credits  Dr. Kevin Criswell & Dr. Jillene Seiver for their influence and support during her academic journey. While attending the Bellevue campus, she recalls the firm values EWU holds in caring for students as their community and making sure they belong.

When advising other students, Heather recommends Eagles visit professors during their office hours and intentionally seek out mentorship and further support from them. She reminds students that it is “never too early or too late to find a mentor.”

Heather also highlights a great accomplishment she achieved recently. With her developed knowledge and skills, she was able to present on Reproductive Justice at Antioch’s Symposium “Liberation from Colonialism Now: Promoting Research Activism.” Along with that, she is now working diligently on a manuscript outlining a recent phenomenological reproductive justice study.

As the College of Professional Programs, we honor Heather Morris Tuip for all her hard work and perseverance!

Master of Social Work alum Heather Zorrozua ’11, a Counselor at Cheney Middle School, who completed the School of Education’s Principal Certificate this year, has been named Assistant Principal starting in the fall.

When asked how her academic program prepared her for her career, Heather states that:

The well-rounded knowledge from the MSW program gave me a broader lens in working with key stakeholders. With added experience working in a residential mental health setting, with my MSW, I was prepared to work with the whole student. The wealth of information I was provided during my MSW program allowed me to bring a range of skills to work within the public education setting not typically seen by school counselors.  This also helped give me the confidence to obtain my administrative certification to ensure a more considerable impact on my students and the broader community. Moving into an Assistant Principal role for Cheney Middle School, I will bring my MSW and all the skills/knowledge that has come with it to an advanced generalist background.

Her most significant challenge and “blessing” while at EWU was that she was working full-time in a residential mental health setting.

While the experience was terrific and happened simultaneously with my learning, I was required to dial in my time management. In addition, during my administrative certification, I also worked full-time with the bonus of being a mom, wife, and coach. So while all the challenges have been a blessing, they required laser-focused time management.”

Her favorite thing about EWU the connections she built within cohorts and community work. She states that, “it has been great to interact with people years later that have supported the work I have been doing within my current job. The connections are lovely.”

When asked what advice she would provide to current students, she says that they should have an open mind.

While it might feel like you know what you want to do and how to get there, be open to exploring various jobs and avenues. You might find your calling in a field, position, or space you never imagined. Say yes and explore your options! You know, ever know what road might open for you. Make connections and be kind!

Heather let us know that she is “incredibly excited to continue to serve in the Cheney community and cannot wait for my new adventure as an Assistant Principal at Cheney Middle School!”

Congratulations Heather!

Congratulations to Rayanna Tensley, a graduate of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Eastern, who received the Outstanding Recent Graduate Award from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) WA Chapter! Rayanna was recognized in March during Social Work Month.  The NASW Chapter Update letter states that, “This year’s Social Work Month theme is “Social Work Breaks Barriers.” The Chapter reviewed award nominations and selected the award winners who have demonstrated contributions to social work in Washington and exemplified social work values.”

Rayanna shared her perspective on the social work field during her acceptance speech at the March 31st virtual event celebration:

I found that as social service providers we have a responsibility of advocacy not only for our participants, but for ourselves. And I’ve also found I don’t mind getting into a debate every once in awhile. I am pleased to be a part of such an amazing community of people doing great work and taking a whole month to celebrate ourselves and those around us.

Thank you to the directors at Eastern’s School of Social Work for admitting me. Thanks to my professors, cohort and group members, now colleagues. I am grateful I was able to learn from you and humbled that I will continue to do so. And thank you to everyone in my personal life for putting up with me bringing my laptop everywhere.

Congratulations Rayanna!

by Mya Brossoit

Shanna Porter, a 2015 graduate of the EWU Master of Social Work (MSW) program, has successfully lobbied for the coverage of hearing instruments/aids by medical insurance, with the passing of House Bill 1222 in the Washington State Legislature, requiring coverage for hearing instruments.

When asked why she chose to get involved with advocacy work, Shanna shares, “that advocacy got involved with me, instead of the other way around.” She describes the unexpected and rare medical needs her daughter was born with, stating that there are less than 100 cases of her condition. She learned the hearing instruments her daughter needed starting at 3 months of age were not covered by insurance.  Shanna decided to move forward with advocacy work out of compassion for her daughter and other families in their situation. From her impressive work that began in 2019, she is now seeing success in the 2023-24 Washington State Legislative Session.

I learned that a few passionate people can make a significant difference.

Some of her strides towards this goal have been the creation of action steps for others to get involved in the movement. Shanna has communicated these steps with parent groups, the local deaf community, medical providers, and non-profit organizations. She has also worked to connect with a multitude of legislators and her story got noticed by KXLY News Spokane.

Because of her achievements, every few years, $3,000 is now being covered per ear. With more work still being done, Shanna hopes to increase this amount to $5,000 and “cover the full cost of aids plus fitting and molds, etc., or bone conduction devices.”

This process has taught me that everyone truly has a voice, and our local legislators are very caring.

Shanna suggests other students who wish to work in advocacy seek their passion and discover like-minded people within the process. She emphasizes the importance of asking questions and collecting advice from legislative assistants to work towards a cause.

HB 1222 was successful due to a group of diligent parents and community members fighting for their children. But instead of just children, it ended up benefiting Washingtonians of all ages. None of us had extensive policy knowledge. Instead, we asked for advice every step of the way and people were willing to help us.

Shanna gratefully acknowledges how willing and supportive local legislators are when serving their community and meeting with their constituents. She says, “start by reaching out to their office before the legislative season and asking for a time to meet.”

Porter continues to powerfully exemplify leadership, justice and courage for important causes, such as improving the affordability and accessibility of hearing instruments.  She persistently achieves new accomplishments in making our community more inclusive and compassionate towards others.

The EWU College of Professional Programs and the School of Social Work admire Shanna Porter for sharing her inspiring story, and for the relentless pursuit of valuable advocacy issues displayed within our community!

The College of Professional Programs is proud to recognize EWU School of Business Alumna, Sophia Vrieling.

Sophia received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Systems and Analytics from Eastern Washington University in June of 2022.  She was also the recipient of the Frances B. Huston Award, which honors graduating seniors who display outstanding academic achievement, intentional leadership, service to Eastern and/or the community. Sophia now works for Lifeway Christian Ministries as their Data Analyst.

Vrieling reflects on the phenomenal support Eastern Washington University provided during her college career. She highlights Patrick Jones, Kelly Cullen, Jeffrey Culver, and Duanning Zhou as influential mentors while working towards her degree. Sophia gratefully acknowledges how her education prepared her for her career.

It prepared me by providing a wide variety of courses on different systems I now use in the workforce.

While at Eastern, Sophia was involved in many extracurricular activities that made her college experience memorable. She served as an intern with The Institute of Public Policy and Economic Analysis (IPPEA), and participated in EPIC Adventures, Intramural sports, and Student Life to make the most of her time at Eastern.

As with many students who choose to pursue higher education, Sophia tells of her struggles with funding her college expenses. Financial troubles became a challenging roadblock when chasing her degree.  Through this hardship, Vrieling tells of the work ethic she developed while working to fund her education.

It was my responsibility to fund my education, which I’m thankful to have had to be wise with my money and work hard, so I always worked multiple jobs while in school, and outside of school, to continue my degree.

Sophia also faced an unexpected obstacle the summer previous to beginning college. She shares that her father suffered a major heart attack right before beginning her time at Eastern. Sophia persevered however, and represents the grit and courage it takes to be an Eagle.

After experiencing life as a student attending Eastern, Sophia advises other students to take advantage of the advice and mentorship professors offer.

Professors are always willing to help you and have many skills they want to pass on. Find a mentor, learn from them, practice your skills, and get as much experience while in school as possible to set you up for the job world!

Sophia is now especially grateful for the fond memories Eastern brought her. She revels when remembering the influential connections that were made, the fun recreational adventures she took part in, and the affordable education that was offered.

As the College of Professional Programs, we honor Sophia Vrieling for all her devoted work and achievements!