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Dividend The official online magazine of the Carson College of Business

August 2022 – New Hires

Michelle Atwell is the administrative assistant in the Department of Finance and Management Science. She previously worked at WSU in Counseling and Psychological Services and the Department of Military Science. She also spent three years working as a Navy recruiter in the area. Atwell has been in the Navy for 19 years, where she is currently a reservist. Her husband also works at WSU, and the couple has two children.
Tishara Day (’21 Psych.) is a scholarship program coordinator at the Carson Center for Student Success. She was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. Day has a one-year-old German shorthaired pointer, and she enjoys traveling, art, live music, and photography in her free time.
Zahra Debbek (’21 Digi. Tech. & Cult.) is a graphic designer in the college’s Office of Technology. She previously worked as the graphic designer at WSU’s School of Music, an administrative assistant for the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at WSU, and the clerical assistant for the WSU Creamery. Debbek has a passion for the arts. In her free time, she enjoys painting, photography, and spending time with her loved ones.
Kayce Edwards is an administrative assistant in graduate and online programs. She previously worked for the Moscow School District, where she was the secretary for the Moscow High School counseling program and secretary for the district’s student nutrition program. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, relaxing around the house, and enjoying good food.
Jamie Garlinghouse is the employer development manager for the Carson Center for Student Success. She previously worked at the University of Idaho in employer relations with Career Services. Prior to that, she worked in the U of I Registrar’s Office, handling commencement event logistics and processing graduation applications. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, live theatre, and traveling.
Paris Kemmer (’22 Mktg., Mgmt.) is the student engagement marketing coordinator in the Carson Center for Student Success. As an undergraduate, she was a Carson College student ambassador for three years, a peer mentor for first-generation students, and an advising intern. She also has worked as an executive intern for Target, a digital marketer/search engine optimization analyzer, and athletics marketing intern, and she was a WSU Boeing scholar.
Shir Levy (’22 Psych., Advert.) is the employer connection coordinator at the Carson Center for Student Success. She was a forward on the WSU women’s basketball team and was named to the 2022 Pac-12 Winter Academic Honor Roll. She is conducting research on team dynamics in sports.
Cesar Munguia (’15 Socio.) is a career consultant at the Carson Center for Student Success. He is the oldest of three siblings and the first in his family to graduate from college. Munguia previously worked for GEAR-UP in Benton City, which helps low-income high school students prepare for post-secondary education; Cougs Rise in Pullman; and he also had a short career as a flooring installer. He enjoys hiking, snowboarding, playing soccer, and spending time with family.
Lori Peterson is the faculty affairs coordinator in the Dean’s Office. She has worked for WSU for 28 years, with most of her time spent as the principal assistant for the Department of Chemistry. Prior to working at WSU, she worked in the legal field. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, boating, Mariners baseball (when they are winning), and spending time with her family and two rescue dogs.
Brandon Schafer (’17 Poli. Sci.) is an IT support technician in the Office of Technology. He has worked in several other fields such as project management and manufacturing. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his Newfoundland puppy as well as writing and producing music for his rock band, Space Club.
Leah Wacker is an academic advisor in the Carson Center for Student Success. She previously worked as an advisor in student services at the University of Washington and WSU. As a first-generation college graduate, she is excited to help students navigate their way to academic success. In her free time, she likes to hike, follow professional tennis, and travel with her family.

March 2022 – New Hires

Evan Barton (’21 MBA) is the MBA admissions manager for graduate and online programs. He previously worked for WSU as the recruitment and outreach specialist for the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing and marketing analytics from the University of Idaho. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor recreation, traveling, and spending time with his partner and their corgi.
Jessica Barkley (’18 Human Dev., Spanish) is an academic coordinator at WSU Vancouver. She previously worked as a course and data coordinator for the University of Colorado Denver’s Business School and as a transfer coordinator for Concordia University in Portland. Barkley earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy from Portland State University. Outside of work, she enjoys going to NBA basketball games, exploring new cities, and spending time with her loved ones.
Rachel Boyer (’19 Accounting, ’21 MBA) is a teaching assistant professor of accounting at WSU Vancouver. She spent 20 years working in accounting for companies and local government. She is a first-generation, non-traditional student with a passion for audit, financial, and cost accounting.
Lydia Guenther (’18 Hosp. Busi. Mgmt.) is an office assistant in the dean’s office. Prior to joining the college, she worked in the event industry at the Best Western in Moscow, Idaho. A first-generation college student, Guenther was born in Syria. During her time as a WSU student, she studied abroad in Spain and Morocco and received a Global Leadership certificate. She has a passion for helping people. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, photography, wedding coordinating, other cultures and history, and writing.
Jay Harris is a director of development based in Seattle. He was an assistant athletic director for the Cougar Athletic Fund in Seattle from 2015 to 2018. More recently, he was a philanthropy director at Swedish Medical Center Foundation, working with caregivers and patients in the Swedish Heart and Vascular Institute. He is originally from Alabama, but moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2015.
Jacqui LaCroix (’21 Poli. Sci.) is the retention manager for the online and executive MBA programs. She previously worked as a general manager in WSU Dining Services. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with family.
Nicola Lippetti is an academic coordinator at WSU Vancouver. She grew up in Las Vegas, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. A first-generation college graduate, Lippetti describes herself as a life-long learner who is passionate about higher education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her children.
Goretti Manzo (’05 Crim. Jus.) is the office manager for the Carson Center for Student Success. She says, “I am so excited to be back in the university that I love and to be able to give back to a community that gave so much to me while I was a student here.” Manzo enjoys spending time with her family, pets, and plants as well as traveling and being outdoors.
Tiffany Reiss is the assistant director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. She previously worked in the Innovation and Research Engagement Office in the WSU Office of Research, and she leads the I-Corps teaching team. Reiss has a doctorate from Virginia Tech in curriculum design and instruction and a master’s degree in exercise physiology from Appalachian State. She previously founded multiple companies in education technology.
Whitney Thurgood is the new program coordinator for graduate and online programs. She previously worked for the college as the administrative assistant for the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship.
Tabetha Villanueva (’21 Soc. Sci.) is a fiscal specialist II for the college. She previously worked as a fiscal technician for WSU’s Payroll Services. She has a bachelor’s degree in social science. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running, and hosting dinner parties.
Minie Yadama is the administrative assistant in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. She has an MBA from the University of Mississippi. She enjoys assisting faculty “who give their best for our students—the future of our country.” In her free time, she enjoys the sunsets on the Palouse and walks and hikes with friends and family.

December 2021 – New Hires

Joseph Scott Gladstone is an assistant professor (career track) in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship at WSU Everett. Gladstone’s research explores management development and education for Indigenous people. He previously taught at the University of New Haven and New Mexico State University, and he founded the Native and Indigenous Peoples Caucus in the Academy of Management. Gladstone earned his doctorate in business management at New Mexico State University. Prior to his academic career, he managed tribal public health programs. He is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana and a recognized descendent of the Nez Perce Tribe.
Michael Gotch is the college’s development coordinator for annual giving. In this role, he focuses on strengthening the Carson College’s annual giving program and supporting the development team. Gotch previously worked for the University of Idaho, where he was the direct mail and digital engagement coordinator for the annual giving team. Gotch and his family are excited to be new members of the Cougar family.
Khan Haque is an assistant professor (career track) in the Department of Finance and Management Science. He received his doctorate in industrial engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in 2018. He worked at UTA from 2019 to 2021 as a post-doctoral research fellow in the Center on Stochastic Modeling, Optimization, and Statistics and as an adjunct professor in the Department of Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering. His research interests include discrete-event simulation, statistical modeling, and data analytics. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and experiencing nature.
Elora Irby (’21 Mktg., Int. Busi., Honors) is a student engagement coordinator for the Carson Center for Student Success. During her senior year, she worked as a student engagement assistant for the Amplifier Program, which transitioned to a full-time position. A first-generation college student, Irby studied abroad in South Korea and took part in the Carson EDGE program. She enjoys exploring the area with her border collie during her free time and tending to her collection of houseplants.
Alec Pappas is an assistant professor in the Department of Marketing and International Business. Pappas grew up in Boca Raton, Florida, and graduated from Florida State University with his bachelor’s and doctorate degrees. Before pursuing his doctorate, Pappas lived in Philadelphia, where he worked as a mortgage closer, and he later moved back to Florida for an account manager position at a tech firm managing websites for international companies. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and photography.
Victoria Reibenspiess is an assistant professor in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics and her master’s degree in business informatics from Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. She earned her PhD in management information systems at the University of Innsbruck in Austria. Her research interests include digital innovation, IT identity, actors in innovation management, user adaptations, and platform design.
Hans Schnabel is the undergraduate enrollment manager in the Office of the Dean. He previously worked as an academic and student success advisor at the Carson Center for Student Success. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Eastern Washington University, and a master’s degree in human rights and international politics from the University of Glasgow.
Ryan Sommerfeldt is an assistant professor in the Department of Accounting, where he teaches data analytics and managerial accounting. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Brigham Young University, and his doctoral degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to earning his doctoral degree, Sommerfeldt worked on the advisory team at Squire and Company, PC, and owned a landscaping company. His research lies at the intersection of managerial accounting and audit and has been published in top-tier accounting journals. In his free time, he enjoys sports and spending time with his family.
Tracey Spencer is an academic advisor in the Carson Center for Student Success. Her goal is to help students grow as professionals and individuals through strategic academic planning and participation in high-impact experiences. As a first-generation college student, Spencer is excited to bring experience in student services as well as a passion for educational access and retention to the Carson College team. When not in the office, she likes to escape into the mountains, where she enjoys hiking, backpacking, and photography.
Tony Thompson (’09 Social Sci.) is an assistant professor (career track) for the School of Hospitality Business Management. Since January 2015, he has taught professional development courses (HBM 101 and 401) and has mentored students in professional development. Thompson’s background includes event planning, customer service, sales, and business development. He was a three-year letter winner (tight-end and long snapper) for the WSU football team from 2006 to 2009. He received his online MBA from Western Governors University.
Ao Wang (’21 PhD) is a visiting assistant professor of finance at WSU Vancouver. She enjoys research and is passionate about teaching. Her research focuses on mutual fund managerial skills and performance. She taught Introduction to Financial Management and Intermediate Financial Management before joining WSU Vancouver.

August 2021 – New Hires

Miguel Inzunza has joined the Carson Center for Student Success as the new undergraduate business student recruitment coordinator. He is a former WSU College of Veterinary Medicine recruiter and previously worked in student affairs at Walla Walla Community College and Lewis-Clark State College. He is a first-generation college graduate and is passionate about making college accessible to all students. He and his wife have three teenage children, and he enjoys staying active with outdoor pursuits.

March 2021 – New Hires

Alex Soberanes (’19 Hist.) is an academic advisor at the Carson Center for Student Success. He is a first-generation college graduate and as an undergraduate, worked with first year and first-generation students as a peer mentor through Multicultural Student Services and the Office of Academic Engagement. In this free time, he enjoys watching anime, spending time with his dog, and tending to his plant collection.
Corey Sutter (’13 Psych., ’15 MA Poli. Sci.) is an academic advisor at the Carson Center for Student Success.  Sutter previously worked for the University of Iowa in the Center for Diversity and Enrichment, supporting Native American, Asian American, and first-generation students and teaching classes on education inequity in the United States. He most recently worked at Spokane Community College, where he worked with foster youth and underrepresented student populations.