WSU Tri-Cities

We want to send a huge 'Thank you!' to the Kennewick Public Hospital District for their generous donation to WSU Tri-Cities. In addition to supporting our nursing program, they provided $20,000 in scholarship funds for future students in our Bachelor of Social Work program, currently in development.

Read the full article: https://tricities.wsu.edu/kennewick-public-hospital-district-dedicates-20000-to-social-work-scholarships-for-wsu-tri-cities-students/

First-generation college student Rachel Holland turned her passion for pollinators into something bigger: community, connection, and a path forward.

Having just completed her bachelor’s degree in environmental and ecosystem sciences, Holland is continuing her WSU journey in the Master of Science in Entomology program.

Her advice for others starting their own college journey — “If you see an opportunity and you think, ‘I might want to do that,’ just do it. What’s the worst that can happen?”

Read more about Rachel’s journey at https://tricities.wsu.edu/chasing-bees-and-crafting-community-environmental-science-grad-finds-her-colony-at-wsu-tri-cities/

"I feel like it has changed me a lot in terms of how I see my future and what I want to do. When I was younger, I just wanted to be a nine-to-five worker. Now I feel like I could own a company or move somewhere new and have a career there — my expectations of myself have really leveled up."

Sofia Ramirez, a WSU Tri-Cities student, says study abroad experiences in Panama and Italy transformed how she views business, leadership, and her own career possibilities.

Read more: https://news.wsu.edu/news/2026/05/20/study-abroad-expands-sofia-ramirezs-path/

Our Cougs always show up to Commencement in style! Which grad cap is your favorite?

Happy !

We're still feeling the excitement from an incredible commencement celebration. A huge thanks to everyone who helped make it such a special day for our students!

Check out the photos from the day on our Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCTvzZ

Watch the full ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/live/WlSsNE4HMMo

Audio Description version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7Le1i1URJM

A big thank you to Rachel Ruggeri for making this year's commencement one to remember.

A proud WSU Tri-Cities alumna and former Starbucks CFO, Rachel took the stage to share her story with our graduates—and spent time before the ceremony connecting with business students, offering advice, perspective, and encouragement.

Her impact didn’t stop there. Rachel also made a $25,000 gift to the Dynamic Student Engagement Fund, supporting hands-on experiences that shape how our students learn, lead, and launch what’s next.

Thank you, Rachel, for showing what it means to give back in every sense. "Let's do this!"—Once a Coug, always a Coug.

Congratulations to our 2026 WSU Tri-Cities graduates!

Check out photos from the day: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCTvzZ (more coming soon - stay tuned!)

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Today is the big day! We're so excited to see everyone at Commencement! 🎓

Watch the ceremony live on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/WlSsNE4HMMo

WSU Tri-Cities Commencement 2026 Washington State University Commencement Ceremony 2026

Student teachers in the College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences spent time at the Kennewick School District doing a “learning walk.”

A learning walk is an observation process for student teachers and is typically used in schools designated as WSU Tri-Cities Teaching Laboratory Schools to give them exposure to different classrooms and teaching styles. Conducting the exercise at the district office gave student teachers an opportunity to meet administrators and get acquainted with how districtwide decisions, services and support systems shape what happens in classrooms!