Judy Hopkins and Colette Casavant from CAHNRS Student Success and Academic Programs look very excited to be listening to the All-CAHNRS Meeting contents.
CAHNRS Connections
November/December 2025

CAHNRS Connections November/December 2025

Newsletter brought to you by CAHNRS Student Success and Academic Programs.

Beef & Brews…and Beer-mosas!

Green background with wheat images and, a WSU logo football, two beer mugs with the letter B on the handles, and the text "Beef & Brews".

This year’s Beef & Brews took place bright and early, followed by the game starting at 12:00 noon. The special timing meant Beer-mosas and morning menu options like hash browns, buttermilk biscuits, tri-tip steak, and eggs!

One of the regents, Regent Cerna, stopped by to participate in the fun. Around 150 Coug parents, family, and friends also joined in, making it an event to remember. Courtesy of the AgTM club, the food was an incredible addition to a morning of preparation for an amazing game. Other clubs such as AgTM, AgED, and Horticulture were present, running booths for awareness of their clubs taking orders for apples.

Regent Cerna, Judy Hopkins, and Nancy Deringer pose at Beef and Brews venue, with twinkle lights on the ceiling and red tablcloths on round tables behind them. It's a sunny morning with sun sparkling through the windows.
Scot Hulbert and a few other attendees wear their Coug gear and hats, sitting at a table with a beer.
Attendees of Beef & Brews clink glasses of beermosa in a gesture of cheers, smiling widely at the fun day just beginning.
Horticulture volunteers point to apples in a textbook at their booth, a giant bowl of apples next to them.
A booth volunteer holds up a giant red geer with the WSU logo and the words "Ag Technology & Production Management" cut out of it.

CAHNRS Spirit

Two attendees to the All CAHNRS Meeting smile enthusiastically that they got to meet there, standing in front of the entrance to Johnson Hall with the crimson carpet.
A professor stands with arms out in a questioning gesture in the audience at the All-CAHNRS Meeting.
Emily Libey making a silly pose, wearing a red CAHNRS tshirt at the All-CAHNRS Reception. Behind her are tables of food and other attendees.
Two attendees of the All CAHNRS Meeting pose in the back of the classroom after it's finished. The dean is answering a question behind them.

Highlighted Event Dates to Mark on Your Calendar

Cougarhead statue looks to the sun

January 23, 2026

WSU Scholars Progression
CUB Senior Ballroom
3:00 – 5:00pm
Cougarhead statue looks to the sun

March 23, 2026

SURCA 2026
CUB Senior Ballroom
3:30 – 4:45pm
Awards Ceremony follows at 5:00

Deadlines

Cougarhead statue looks to the sun

January 31, 2026

Undergraduate Research Fellowship Awards
Application Deadline

The CAHNRS Winter Party 2025

A fireplace, mug of hot cocoa, floating marshmallows, and holiday desserts surround a fireplace with the text "Winter Party 2025".

This year’s party featured a Fireside Flannel theme with the official WSU tartan decorating every surface from the helpers’ scarves to the invitations and table signs. The first ever marshmallow games were a hit, with attendees getting competitive to move mini marshmallows with only straws, toss marshmallows into a giant hot cocoa mug, and pick up mini marshmallows using only cups. The night featured extra special department baskets (such as a special spices set from CAHNRS For All and 20 rolls of beautifully wrapped toilet paper courtesy of ‘The Year 2020’) and a new color of poinsettias called the Winter Aurora kindly donated to us by the CAHNRS Horticulture Club.

Ensminger Pavilion is full of sparkling lights, attendees in holiday sweaters, red plaid and bright red tablecloths, and many smiling faces.
A table of gift raffles is decorated with confetti, christmas lights, poinsettias, and balloons. Some of the raffle items are a Pizza Perfection and a New Garden raffle, and one is a giant package of about 25 toilet paper rolls wrapped beautifully.
Esther Kruse wins a poinsettia, and is given it by Vicki McCracken at the Winter Party in front of the raffles table.
The gift raffle table features clear wrapped baskets with polka dots and beautiful christmas lights.
The winner of the toilet paper rolls gift basket beams brightly as Nancy Deringer hands it over in front of the raffle table.
The winner of this year's candy jar guessing activity, the marshmallo box, beams brightly while receiving her prize.

The All-CAHNRS Faculty & Staff Meeting & Reception

Dean Khosla presents in a Cougar Crimson and Gray tartan tie with the words "Go CAHNRS Cougs!" written on the whiteboard behind him.

The first ever All-CAHNRS Meeting and Reception were held in Johnson Hall, featuring several familiar faces and some new ones. This event was a new opportunity for faculty and staff to come together and learn about college-wide news and stats, get to know Dean Khosla better, introduce new faculty and staff, and much more. The associate deans discussed happenings in Extension, the status and goals of research funding, budget situations and strategies, student success, demographics, first gen support, and how to be more involved in student retention and academic progress. Following the meeting, a reception allowed folks from all across the college to mingle and discuss over hors d’oeuvres and drinks.

We hope to see everyone at the upcoming Town Hall in February, and please stay tuned for an RSVP link in which you can submit questions you’d like to hear answers for from the dean and associate deans.

Two attendees of the CAHNRS Meeting Reception hold their drinks and snacks in front of the display case of AMDT tartan merchandise in Johnson Hall.

Elizabeth and Siari work behind a table of drinks at the All CAHNRS Meeting reception table.
Attendees of the All CAHNRS Meeting are chatting intently and smiling as they wait for the meeting to start, sitting in rows of classroom seating.

J.D. Baser Receives American Award

At the FFA Convention and Expo in October, our very own J.D. Baser received the Honorary American FFA Degree, a degree that is given to those exhibiting exceptional service to agriculture, ag education, or FFA, or to teachers who have created high-quality ag education programs that encourage students to strive for success. J.D. has taught agricultural education in high schools, been an FFA advisor, an elementary school principle, and now is an ag education teacher here at WSU. When asked how he sees his work, he mentioned that it helps him feel fulfilled know that if he helps 10 students who go on to be high school teachers, then in so doing he is indirectly helping dozens of young people each year. His perspective is about giving back to ag education and FFA by training teachers who can impact future generations for the better, which makes him wholly deserving of this honorary degree. Learn more about CAHNRS SSAP’s visit to National FFA in the article below.

Learn more about the Honorary American FFA Degree and J.D. Baser's teaching approach here

Additional Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Nancy Deringer hands off the Student Employee of the Year award to Emily Libey with warm smiles and the genuine vibe of a student well cared for by our SSAP office.

Student Care & Concerns Sessions

Nancy Deringer, Associate Dean for Student Success and Academic Programs in CAHNRS, and a group of CAHNRS Chairs & Directors are paired up with the WSU Dean of students. On Dec. 3rd, they discussed the current climate for students and their evolving needs, addressing issues like student care and the ever-growing dynamic possibilities for student accommodations. With the goal of making student success and retention (one of President Cantwell’s 6 pillars) the priority going forward, CAHNRS is leading an important charge.
The text Increase, Inspire, Foster, Engage are stacking in descending order in varying shades of crimson and gray.

ADVANCE – Faculty Development

ADVANCE focuses on removing recruitment, hiring, and retaining barriers for faculty, and works to promote career-long excellence by building an inclusive land-grant institution. Using institutional data, ADVANCE delves into faculty experience to investigate disparities and uses those findings to improve policies and practices.

Learn More about ADVANCE
"Advance at WSU" is written in crimson and gray in a logo with 4 lines.
A picture border with Butch, the WSU mascot, in an FFA jacket surrounds a photo of J.D. Baser surrounded by Miguel Inzunza and Junior Gomez. J.D. Baser holds his honorary degree award plaque.

SSAP at National FFA

CAHNRS SSAP, represented by Miguel Inzunza, Junior Gomez, and two students, visited the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis October 29 – November 1st. This event was attended by over 70,000 students from every state and territory in the U.S., making it a great opportunity for visibility. CAHNRS SSAP participated in the FFA Expo/Collegiate Connection as exhibitors, representing WSU CAHNRS amongst 80 different colleges and universities from across the country.
Miguel Inzunza and Junior Gomez from CAHNRS Student Success and Academic programs, as well as a student, stand in front of a monument in Indianapolis.
Two FFA students talk to the CAHNRS Cougs booth folks.
Miguel Inzunza is crossing his arms and looking smug while wearing a very large foam cougar cowboy hat, surrounded by students from Missouri in FFA jackets in big pink cowboy hats with feather trim.
Four 4-H students huddle together in their 4-H t-shirts, smiling down at the camera.

Collegiate 4-H

Encourage students to become volunteers and stay connected with local 4-H groups. The main goal of our representatives is to help out with events such as the annual 4-H Teen Conference that takes place here at WSU each year. Student helpers run the workshops and campus tours.

Read more about 4-H student opportunities in the WSU Insider
Kelli Garner stands in front of the CAHNRS spin-the-wheel booth, explaining something to a student at the DECA convention.

DECA – Distributive Education Clubs of America

The DECA 2025 Fall Learning Conference in Bellevue, WA, was a great opportunity for CAHNRS to represent itself. Our group of representatives, including Emily Libey from SSAP, Kelli Gardner & Shanna Hiscock, CAHNRS advisors, and Ting Chi, Chair of AMDT, participated on November 3rd at the Exhibitor Fair. After the exhibitor fair, Kelli Gardner attended a college round table event where seated students at tables were visited by the college advisors one by one to answer their questions.

WSU’s President Cantwell Outlines Six Pillars

The WSU logo and words Washington State University are on a gray background with little white stripes.

President Cantwell has outlined a new path of focus for WSU in her presentation to the Board of Regents, specifically naming the Six Pillars that are central to decision-making. The first two were directly related to Student Success and Academic programs.

  • Access and student success
  • Academic excellence and modernization
  • Innovation and use-inspired research
  • Systemwide integration and institutional agility
  • WSU as a 21st century land grant
  • Elevate the Cougar identity and brand

Bayer Crop Science 2026 University Mentoring Program

Building relationships, networks, and a commitment to soft skill development are essential to success as scientists and leaders.

This 1-year mentoring program with established Bayer scientists includes:

  • Mentoring: 1-on-1 mentoring based on technical fit and soft skill development needs
  • Development: Bayer-hosted workshops and seminars
  • Networking: Within Bayer and across 30+ North American Universities
  • Advancement: Career advancement advice
  • Awareness: Build business acumen and develop relationships with industry partners

Who Should Apply?

  • Curious scientists and engineers in early career stages (with emphasis on grad students and postdoctoral researchers).
  • Those in fields related to plant breeding, plant biology, gene editing, crop physiology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering, computer science, and data science/engineering, and more.

Information Sessions

Jan 21, 2026 @1PM CST via the Teams Meeting ID: 328 713 474 563 8 with Passcode: ok2h6tT7

Feb 9, 2026 @ 1PM CST via the Teams Meeting ID: 328 713 474 563 8 with Passcode: ok2h6tT7

Applications Window: Dec 1, 2025 – Feb 22, 2026 with Mentee selection emails sent by March 20, 2026

Start your application for the Bayer Crop Science 2026 University Mentoring Program here

Agricultural Leadership Certificates

Learn more about SSAP and SES’s collaboration on the Agricultural Leadership Program in the following video.

CAHNRS Recruitment Travel – “Where is Junior?”

Junior Gomez smiles

Junior Gomez, CAHNRS Recruitment & Retention Coordinator, is busy traveling across the state and beyond each week. Stay tuned for the upcoming locations and dates!

The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

11/19

White Swan High School College Fair
The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

12/04

Winter College Fair in Union Gap, WA from 11-2pm at the Valley Mall

For any questions, please reach out to ggomez@wsu.edu.

CAHNRS Costume Contest 2025

CAHNRS Hulbert Hall employees always find a way to keep things magical! With everything from roosters to Cat in the Hat, the creativity shone this year for the CAHNRS Costume Contest.

Lindsay Hickman and Eric Elison are in costumes, Velma from Scooby Doo (with a magnifying glass) and a steampunk cowboy hat and embroidered jacket respectively.

CAHNRS Costume Spirit

CAHNRS enthusiasm was abound at the the CAHNRS Costume Contest this year, with many employees dressing as CAHNRS-Related costumes, or costumes with a special meaning! Pictured at the right is Lindsay Hickman and Eric Ellison from the IT department as Velma from Scoopy Doo and a Steampunk Cowboy.

Emily Libey wears a blowup rooster costume, CAHNRS shirt, denim vest, and a cowboy hat. She is hugging Colette Casavant in a huge cow blow-up costume that covers all of her except her glass and big smile.

Cock-a-Doodle-Doo ‘Till the Cows Come Home

Right on theme for CAHNRs, Emily Libey and Colette Casavant from CAHNRS Student Success and Academic Programs dressed as a rooster and a cow. Both blow-up costumes, these two were hard-pressed to sit in their chairs.

A bat statue made up of pumpkins looks way too excited to be decorating the office. A little ghost statue with an umbrella dripping crystals sits beside it.

Spooky Vibes

The conference room in Hulbert Hall went absolutely batty with the haunting energy of cute decorations and yummy treats for the contest winner announcements and gathering.

Kat Odell looks smug while holding a triangle necklace card that says "Don't Count on It".

Got a Question for Operations?

Kat Odell from CAHNRS Operations dressed as a magic 8 ball, meaning she could give you an answer to any question.

Kat Tsatsomeros wears a silver chainmail dress, chainmail hood, and crown, holding a shield. Jorja Heinkel wears a black and white outfit with skull makeup.

Costumes with a Meaning

Kat Tsatsomeros from the CAHNRS Dean’s Office dressed as a Chronic Illness Warrior, taking the phrase literally in a costume that spreads awareness about Type 1 Diabetes through a warrior theme. With insulin bottles, insulin pumps, injection needles, and continuous glucose monitors as decoration pieces, she earned first place in the costume contest. Next to her is Jorja Heinkel from BSE dressed as a spooky skeleton.

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Have a story you’d like to feature in the next CAHNRS Connections Newsletter? Please reach out to cahnrs.majors@wsu.edu with your ideas and information.

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