During the month of February, Washington State University sets up numerous events to celebrate and honor Black History Month. A week ago the creator of the Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man series Emmanuel Acho gave a keynote address for this year’s MLK program. Along with the speech from Acho WSU is organizing Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natalie Diaz’s poetry reading, and many other events and activities. 

The WSU campus in tri-cities has erected a monument of the first Black pioneer George Bush and his son William Owen Bush in celebration of Black History Month. Here at WSU, we are constantly learning how to be better suited for our students and faculty. In a constantly changing and adapting environment we as a university are working hard to increase inclusivity and spark interest from our WSU family and neighboring communities. 

WSU will continue to find ways to educate whether it be inside or outside of the classroom. This is what causes such a tight-knit educated community that fills the WSU campuses around the state. We would like more students to be able to attend and have an equal shot in life, no matter where they came from. We intend to increase the educational affordability geared toward improving the completion and graduation rates of students as well as increase the career development resources for all students starting their first year.

 With these goals in mind, WSU plans to establish baseline wellness services on all campuses and fund the proposal by the WSU Campus and Community Health Task Force to infuse an emotional wellbeing curriculum throughout the WSU experience, both in and out of the classroom. This is to ensure the health and happiness of the people in our community. Here at WSU, our priority is to help in the shaping of a better future generation and we plan to do all we can to help them in any way we can.

About the author

Alex is a writer for the Office of Strategy, Planning, and Analysis at Washington State University. As a strategic advertising student, he focuses on brand development and promotion. He also works as an intern in Switzerland with the luxury watch company, Chopard.