WSU ROAR Tracks
Happy Fall!
Dear WSU ROAR Community,
As we wrap up the fall semester and look ahead to spring, the energy and excitement from our students continue to inspire us. Our first-year scholars are “rocking and rolling”, guided by the enthusiastic mentorship of our veteran students. This semester, they’ve been faithful fans at every sporting event, enjoyed campus-supported activities all over campus, utilized the WSU Recreation Center and other campus resources, and frequented local coffee shops and businesses. WSU ROAR staff can’t go anywhere without running into students—our very own paparazzi snapping photos along the way!
This semester has been filled with exciting milestones for WSU ROAR. We clarified our Comprehensive Transition Plan and conducted Transition Plan Meetings, ensuring meaningful progress for our scholars. Additionally, we celebrated the early admission of five outstanding scholars who will join us in Fall 2025. We’ve also met with leadership who are eager to see our scholars register for coursework alongside their peers, advancing inclusion and equity. We can’t wait to share more about this development in our next issue!
As we prepare for spring, we’re excited to meet with students and their support teams to craft person-centered plans that reflect our scholars’ unique goals and aspirations. It’s been a fantastic semester, and we’re ready to carry this momentum into the new year.
Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a bright, happy New Year!
With gratitude,
Kristi Tippett
Interim Director
Sweet Success: ROAR Students Bake Up Halloween Fun!
Our talented students rolled up their sleeves for a fun and delicious activity: baking and decorating cupcakes and cookies for the ROAR Halloween party! The event was a sweet way to celebrate the season while building teamwork and culinary skills.
Students living at McEachern Residence Hall baked cupcakes, and students at Nez Perce Village apartments made cookies. A big shoutout to everyone who participated and helped make Halloween both festive and tasty!
Community and Career Connections: Highlighting Employment Partnerships in Pullman
Our students participate in internships spanning diverse fields, from childcare to creating media for athletic events on campus. These work-based learning experiences are some of the most impactful ways ROAR connects with the Pullman community. During the Fall 2024 semester, 27 out of 28 students engaged in some form of work-based learning. One first-year student described her internship as “a cool opportunity to try new things and learn about yourself”. Currently, we partner with 22 employers across the WSU campus and the wider Pullman area.
As we entered this academic year, we recognized the need to secure internships that are both beneficial to students and sustainable for our employment partners. Thanks to the outreach efforts of our Employment Services Coordinator, Bailey, we achieved a significant milestone: within just three weeks of the semester starting, nearly 70% of ROAR students were already involved in internships. This accomplishment reflects the overwhelming support and commitment from members of our community.
Several new partnerships have played a pivotal role in enriching our students’ experiences. Organizations such as Birch and Barley, SEL’s Little Edison School, the WSU Chemistry Department, Pups and Cups, and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art have collaborated with the ROAR program to develop inclusive and productive work-based learning experiences. These relationships not only enhance community engagement but also expand opportunities for all ROAR students.
One standout example is Birch and Barley, which has gone above and beyond by independently organizing a scholarship fundraiser for our program. This partnership has also been transformative for Justin, a ROAR+ student excelling in his internship there. Justin has gained valuable skills in customer service and task management, setting a strong foundation for his future. As we continue to grow, the ROAR program remains committed to creating meaningful opportunities that empower students and strengthen our ties with the Pullman community.
WSU ROAR Lentil Cook-Off!
The fourth annual WSU ROAR Lentil Cook-Off was a smashing success, bringing together WSU ROAR scholars and Cougar Baseball for a day of fun, food, and friendly competition! Hosted by Coach Nathan Choate at Bailey-Brayton Field, this beloved tradition celebrates collaboration, the Palouse’s famous lentils, and our incredible community spirit.
Nine teams, made up of students and athletes, took on the challenge of creating unique lentil-based dishes, with every team naming themselves and taking on specific roles to bring their culinary visions to life. A panel of five enthusiastic ROAR community supporters judged the dishes based on taste, technique, and presentation. After much deliberation, the top three winning dishes were announced by the Dean of the College of Education, Karen Thomas-Brown.
The Lentil Cook-Off highlights WSU’s commitment to inclusivity, offering a fantastic opportunity for ROAR scholars to build friendships, develop skills, and engage in campus life alongside student-athletes. Plus, it’s a perfect nod to the Palouse’s agricultural roots. We’re already looking forward to next year’s competition—who will take home the title?
Click the button below to watch the livestream of this event!
Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 is GivingTuesday
What is GivingTuesday? GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. As we approach this holiday season, we hope you’ll join us in support of our ROAR Program by making a gift to our ROAR Programmatic Fund or our ROAR Scholarship Fund. Any gift impacts our scholars and this program and we can’t thank you enough for your support.
Want to learn more about ROAR?
For additional information on ways to support ROAR, please contact Jennifer Dean, Senior Director of Development for the College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences at jenn.dean@wsu.edu.