Matthew Beer (’96 Pol. Sci.) is the new military and veteran affairs manager in the Office of Graduate Programs. Beer was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force from WSU’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program. In his new position, he will facilitate the success of veteran students with the college, specifically, delivery of the Rucksacks to Backpacks to Boardroom program supporting online MBA and Executive MBA online military and veteran students’ transition into military leadership roles or the civilian workforce. Beer was previously the chair of the Department of Aerospace Studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he led a team in recruiting, educating, and training 50 cadets annually through college-level Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Read more about Matthew Beer.
Chun-Chu (Bamboo) Chen is a new assistant professor of hospitality at WSU Vancouver. He received his doctorate  from Texas A&M University and was a faculty member at Penn State University and the University of Idaho before joining WSU. His research focuses on the consumption of tourism/hospitality experiences and well-being and is guided by an overarching question: How do tourism and hospitality experiences promote the well-being of customers? Chen has worked with the U.S. Travel Association, Tourism Bureau of Texas, Tourism Bureau of Taiwan, and the National Science Council of Taiwan on an array of research and outreach projects, resulting in nearly 30 peer-reviewed journal articles.
Debbie Compeau has been appointed as senior associate dean for faculty affairs and research, succeeding Professor David Sprott. She is also the Hubman Distinguished Professor of Information Systems. She joined the college three years ago and was previously a faculty member at the Ivey Business School at  the University of Western Ontario.
Ashley Kuznia is a new career consultant in the Carson Center for Student Success. She earned her bachelor of science in psychology from the University of Idaho and her master of science in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas. Her work integrates both counseling and career development theories to identify students’ strengths and guide them toward academic and professional success and well-being. In her previous roles, she has served as a career coach, project coordinator, and as a liaison to students with disabilities, allowing her to assess various students’ needs and resources for well-rounded career readiness during and after college.
Marla Meyer is the new Moss Adams accounting career advisor in the Department of Accounting. She will serve as the primary student employment coordinator for accounting majors in the college and be a liaison to alumni and the accounting advisory board. She will also build and maintain relationships with regional and national public accounting firms, industry recruiters, and others interested in hiring WSU accounting majors. She will work with the Beta Alpha Psi faculty advisor to develop and implement events bringing accounting students and professionals together, advise students on accounting careers, and work with students to hone their professional skills. Meyer spent the last five years in Seattle with Holland America Line, most recently as a pricing and demand manager. Read more about Marla Meyer.
Cheryl Oliver has been appointed as associate dean for professional programs. She continues to lead the team responsible for delivering the college’s nationally recognized online MBA and Executive MBA online online programs while continuing to build operating capacity for online undergraduate programs.
Jason Porter is a new clinical associate professor in the Department of Accounting. He comes to the Carson College with 12 years of experience, having taught accounting at both the University of Idaho and the University of South Dakota. He has an undergraduate and master of accounting degree from Brigham Young University and a doctorate from the University of Georgia. He is an associate editor for the IMA Educational Case Journal and has published numerous articles about accounting practice and accounting education and has written a case book with Armond Dalton on using Excel skills in managerial accounting.
Tom Tripp has been appointed as senior associate dean for academic affairs. He will continue with oversight of all academic programs except the PhD, which will continue to be directed by Professor Chuck Munson. Tripp has also been appointed as the Rom Markin Endowed Leadership Chair in Business. The chair is awarded to a professor who provides the direction, knowledge, effort, and inspiration necessary to sustain and advance education programs in an increasingly competitive global environment.
Rita Whitcomb Rita Whitcomb is the new chief financial officer for the college. She is versed in a variety of financial processes including forecasting and budgeting, as well as streamlining business operations that drive growth, efficiencies, and collaboration. Previously, Whitcomb served in several financial administrative roles at WSU, and most recently was the area finance officer for the WSU Graduate School, where she provided financial consultation to the dean and advised the associate deans, faculty, staff, and students on administrative policies related to finance. She earned her bachelor’s in business management and human resources in 2006 from the University of Idaho.