{"id":16562,"date":"2025-12-01T00:00:36","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T08:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/?page_id=16562"},"modified":"2026-02-11T10:12:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:12:58","slug":"pop-dec-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/pop-dec-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Points of Pride – December 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\n\t
\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\t
<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tCarson College of Business\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Points of Pride<\/span><\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tDecember 2025\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n\n

College<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Bronze<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

The Carson College of Business has launched Carson Pro<\/a>, a new lifelong learning initiative designed to provide relevant, noncredit learning opportunities for professionals at every stage of their career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Offerings under Carson Pro include a series of flexible, self-paced certification programs in finance, management, and marketing, with accounting to follow. Each certificate includes five online modules\u2014five to six hours each\u2014for a total of 25 to 30 hours of instruction. The programs were designed by Carson College faculty and informed by feedback from more than 260 employers to ensure industry relevance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carson Pro is open to learners of all backgrounds and no prerequisites are required. Previously available certificates in business of aging and wine business management are transitioning to the new marketplace offered by Carson Pro, creating a one-stop shop for all Carson noncredit learning opportunities. These programs will be fully accessible starting February 2026.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Red<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

The School of Hospitality Business Management<\/a> has once again been recognized for its academic and research excellence by achieving top placement in the 2025 Shanghai Rankings for hospitality and tourism management. In the latest Global Ranking on Academic Subjects<\/a>, WSU was named No. 2 in the US and No. 5 in the world. The rankings underscore the world\u2019s most comprehensive and objective assessments of universities by academic discipline.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tRead the WSU Insider feature to learn more.\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

WSU ranks No. 19 among the world\u2019s top universities for entrepreneurship research productivity, according to the 2025 Global University Entrepreneurship Research Productivity Rankings<\/a>. Compiled by the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University (TCU), the rankings measure research productivity based on the number of articles faculty publish in the field\u2019s three premier journals \u2014 Journal of Business Venturing<\/em>, Entrepreneurship Theory<\/em> and Practice and Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal<\/em> \u2014 over a five-year period (2020\u201324). The recognition speaks to the strength and consistency of Carson College entrepreneurship programming and faculty.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n\n

Students<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Four
From left to right, Eric Schlerf, Alexandra Rose, Zoie Rodman, and Arza Firdauzi<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Four Carson accounting students\u2014Zoie Rodman<\/a>, Alexandra Rose<\/a>, Eric Schlerf<\/a>, and Arza Firdauzi<\/a>\u2014attended the IMA Student Leadership Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, in November thanks to a $5,000 donation from the Portland Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA PDX). The students, all officers of the WSU Vancouver IMA and Beta Alpha Psi chapter, submitted a budget and one-page pitch letter to secure the support.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Three
Katie Thompsen, Hazel Foronda, and Ryan Crippen pose in front of the Crimson Cafe at WSU Everett.<\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

WSU Everett recently opened the Crimson Caf\u00e9, a new student-run coffee shop located on the first floor. The caf\u00e9 is managed and staffed by three Carson College of Business students\u2014Ryan Crippen<\/a>, a senior in business administration; Hazel Foronda, also a senior in business administration; and Katie Thompsen<\/a>, a sophomore in hospitality business management who also serves as director of public relations for ASWSUE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students and visitors can follow @wsue.crimsoncafe<\/a> on Instagram for hours, updates, and specials.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n\n

Alumni<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Gary Ballew<\/a> (\u201988 Hotel & Rest. Admin., \u201994 Civ. & Env. Eng., \u201997 MS Env. Eng.) is assistant city manager for Yakima. Previously, Ballew was vice president of economic development for Greater Spokane, Inc., and director of economic development and marketing at the Port of Pasco. He has more than 20 years of experience in economic development.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Liv Bourne<\/a> (\u201907 Hosp. Busi. Mgmt., \u201918 MBA) was featured in South Sound Business Journal\u2019s<\/em> 2025 40 Under 40, which recognizes business leaders for their contributions in the region. Bourne is the director of sales and catering at Alderbrook Resort & Spa in Union, and an adjunct professor in the WSU School of Hospitality Business Management.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Kaila<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Kaila Chang Freitas<\/a> (\u201924 Accounting, Mgmt. Info. Sys.) is a new tax associate at KPMG, one of fastest growing Big Four accounting firms in the US. She completed two internships at KPMG while in college.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Dylan Harbo<\/a> (\u201923 Accounting) has earned his CPA credentials from the Washington State Board of Accountancy. He is a tax consultant at Deloitte in Seattle.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Meredith Lamb<\/a> (\u201924 Accounting, Mgmt. Info. Sys.) relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, to begin her career with Boeing\u2019s Finance Career Foundation Program. This two-year program cultivates future finance leaders through four six-month rotations across various teams and functions within Boeing. It offers a comprehensive view of the finance landscape and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the company\u2019s mission. Lamb is beginning her rotation in labor and overhead accounting within Boeing defense, space, and security.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Andy Lawrence<\/a> (\u201925 EMBA) joined the customer experience team at Darktrace as a global success architect. He brings nearly 20 years of experience in security analysis, administration, and engineering leadership to the role, where he focuses on aligning customer experience strategy with product development and driving data-informed outcomes.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Alex Mayer<\/a> (\u201925 Accounting, Finance) has a new position as a staff accountant at DZA, a health care accounting and advisory firm located in Spokane Valley, Washington.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Molly<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Molly Olney<\/a> (\u201923 Busi. Admin.) started a new role as a human resources coordinator at The Parking Spot in Chicago. Previously, Olney was a HR coordinator at Levy Restaurants in Seattle, where she managed HR operations for more than 700 event-based employees at Lumen Field.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Ashley Safranski<\/a> (\u201911 Comm., \u201916 MA Strat. Comm.) is the new chief marketing officer at uConnect, a fast-growing B2B edtech company supporting higher education institutions. She leads marketing, sales development, and growth strategy. She formerly served as uConnect\u2019s vice president of marketing for three and a half years.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Beau Schwieso<\/a> (\u201916 Comp. Sci., \u201924 MBA) is chief operating officer for Caf2Code, a Microsoft Solutions partner that specializes in enterprise resource planning and digital transformation for businesses. Previously, Schwieso worked as an information systems technician manager for the US Navy, a senior Dynamics AX developer for Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, a senior engineering manager for enVista and H-E-B, and vice president for enterprise solutions delivery at HOLT CAT.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Scott Tingey<\/a> (\u201996 Busi. Admin., \u201900 MBA) is associate laboratory director for operational systems at the Department of Energy\u2019s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Previously, Tingey was senior director for operations at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, chief operating officer at the Fermi National Accelerator Facility, and director of program and human resource management at the National Biodefense and Countermeasure Center.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Allie Wittenberger<\/a> (\u201906 Accounting) is vice president of audit programs for Alaska Airlines. Wittenberger joined Alaska in 2010 as a senior internal auditor, then director of ethics and compliance and manager of financial planning and analysis. She most recently served as Alaska Air Group\u2019s managing director of corporate affairs and compliance.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n\n

Faculty\/Staff<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Robert Crossler<\/a>, chair of the Department of Management, Information Systems and Entrepreneurship, has been named the Hubman Distinguished Professor of Information Systems, honoring his contributions to the field of management information systems.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Associate Professor DJ Fairhurst<\/a> with the Department of Finance and Management Science has been appointed the Maughmer Freedom Philosophy Professor, a role that champions the university as a marketplace of ideas.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Dogan Gursoy<\/a>, Taco Bell Distinguished Professor in the School of Hospitality Business Management, was quoted in Newsweek<\/em> about rising prices at Disney World and how consumers are responding. His recent research with Mesut \u00c7i\u00e7ek<\/a> was also featured in a VICE<\/em> Media article exploring how \u201cAI\u201d branding may deter consumers. Their study found that including \u201cAI\u201d in product or service descriptions can reduce consumers\u2019 willingness to buy\u2014especially when trust and transparency are critical. Originally published on the WSU Insider<\/em>, the study became WSU\u2019s second most-viewed research story of 2024 and was subsequently cited by CNN<\/em>, The Washington Post<\/em>, Business Insider<\/em>, Fortune<\/em>, Entrepreneur<\/em>, MSN<\/em>, and other major outlets.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Jenny Kim<\/a>, W. Terry Umbreit Distinguished Professor in the School of Hospitality Business Management, received the 2025 Lifetime Research Achievement Award from the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education. The award honors sustained, exceptional contributions to research in the hospitality and tourism fields.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Stephen Lee<\/a>, assistant professor with the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship, was one of three expert panelists participating in the Case Centre\u2019s free webinar, \u201cWhy Cases Work: Impact and Engagement in the Undergraduate Classroom.\u201d Lee also discussed his research expertise on how emotions influence the way help is received in the workplace with the radio program \u201cAcademic Minute.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot
Boschee<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot
Garlinghouse<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot
Lang<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Headshot
Smith<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n
\r\n \n\n

Staff from multiple Carson College campuses collaborated to launch Carson Career Connections<\/a>, a private LinkedIn group designed to connect current students and alumni with job and internship opportunities. The private group is managed by Kerby Boschee<\/a> and Nicole Smith<\/a> from WSU Vancouver, Jamie Garlinghouse<\/a> from WSU Pullman, and Janel Lang<\/a> from the Carson College\u2019s corporate engagement team. Opportunities are curated weekly and emphasize regional roles, supporting graduates across all career stages while strengthening Washington\u2019s workforce.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Nancy<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Associate Dean for Professional Programs Cheryl Oliver<\/a> and Nancy Swanger<\/a>, founding dean for the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living, were recognized for 25 years of service at WSU.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n
\n
\"Crimson<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

Li Xu<\/a>, associate professor of accounting, received a research grant from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Research Institute for her project, Evolution of Fraud Detection Methods in the Technological Era. The grant includes exclusive access to two national fraud databases and will support Xu\u2019s longitudinal study of how fraud detection methods have changed with technological advancements.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\r\n \n
\r\n \n\n

Previous Editions’ Points of Pride<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n\n

2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tMarch 2025\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tAugust 2025\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

2024<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tMarch 2024\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tAugust 2024\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tDecember 2024\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tMarch 2023\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tAugust 2023\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tDecember 2023\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
\r\n\t\n\n

2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tMarch 2022\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tAugust 2022\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\tDecember 2022\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":[],"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16562"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1470"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16562"}],"version-history":[{"count":117,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16562\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18060,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16562\/revisions\/18060"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16562"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/author?post=16562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}