WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor's Office

Campus Council

The Campus Council meets monthly.

LoAnn Ayers
Director of Campus Advancement

LoAnn Ayers manages external relations functions for Washington State University Tri-Cities including:

Integrated marketing to build community awareness of the campus, its programs and events and to support student recruitment.

Developing relationships with individuals, alumni, businesses, and organizations to develop resources for the campus.

Ensuring that the resources of the university are extended into the community ranging from the business assistance services of Business LINKS and the Tri-Cities Research District to educational enhancement programs for children and youth, adult professional education, and life enrichment events and seminars.

LoAnn has been with the Richland campus since 1986. She holds an MBA from Washington State University and is a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional.

Thought about WSU-Tri-Cities:

WSU Tri-Cities is an incredible asset to the region — we graduate nurses and counselors who heal, teachers who impact the next generation, entrepreneurs who create jobs, and technical experts who invent, design, and build solutions. At WSU Tri-Cities, we change lives one person at a time. Our graduates contribute to the social and economic vitality of the region.

Jaime Contreras
Director of Student Affairs

Jaime Contreras joined Washington State University
Tri-Cities in June 2008 as the Director of Student Affairs. He oversees the admissions, recruitment, registrar, financial aid, career services, student associations, career services, and disability, veterans and counseling services.

Jaime earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science from Loyola University Chicago and his master's degree in Educational Administration from Northeastern Illinois University. He has hands-on experience in financial aid and scholarships, admissions, counseling, advising, retention, community outreach, and marketing. Previous positions include Director of Admissions at Eastern Oregon University and Associate Director of Minority Recruitment Initiatives at Columbia College Chicago.

His volunteer involvement includes the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), the Professional Latino Recruitment in Higher Education (PLARHE), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Latinos for the Next Century (LINC), and several boards representing educational organizations. Jaime has served as a mentor for more than 20 years, given presentations at more than 250 workshops as a higher education professional and as a motivational speaker, and written numerous articles for professional publications.

Jaime’s goal is to assist others in achieving their professional and academic goals by providing guidance and leadership. His philosophy is: “I believe that it is not what you do for a living but what you do while you are living that matters in the end.”

Phyllis Morris
College of Nursing

Phyllis Morris, MN, RN, CRNI, serves as the Regional Academic Director of Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing, based at WSU Tri-Cities for 2008-2009. Phyllis is responsible for the oversight of the Basic RN, RN to BSN, and MN programs on the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla campuses.

Prior to joining WSU Tri-Cities, she worked in area hospitals and held several management positions. Phyllis holds a Master’s degree in Nursing Education, has more than 20 years of nursing experience, and specializes in intravenous therapy. She is an active member of several community based committees and boards, including the advisory boards for the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing and the Columbia Basin College Nursing program.

Thought:
The WSU Tri-Cities campus is providing a much needed service to the community by investing in nursing education. The student-to-instructor ratio and the collaboration with area healthcare facilities promotes a learning environment that affords an excellent educational experience for students.

Sharon Ballidis Holden
Director of Development

Sharon joined WSU Tri-Cities in August 2008, bringing about 30 years of experience in fundraising and development.

Sharon formed The Ballidis Group in 1992 in Wilomar, Calif., working with nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. on major gifts, audits, campaign feasibility studies, campaign counsel, board development, and volunteer and staff training. She managed capital/endowment campaign portfolios totaling more than $500 million — experience that is especially valuable with our campus growth and as WSU prepares to enter a capital campaign.

Her long list of clients includes California State University Long Beach, Discover Science Center, Laguna College of Art & Design, Los Angeles Harbor College, Polytechnic University, Pretend City: The Children’s Museum of Orange County, the San Diego Jewish Academy, and the Whale Conservation Institute. Sharon also served on the faculty of the University of San Diego’s Graduate Program in Nonprofit Leadership & Management, and on the University of California San Diego and UC Irvine’s certificate programs in fundraising, teaching entry-level through advanced fundraising and nonprofit management classes.

Sharon earned her bachelor’s degree from Long Beach State University, a Certificate in Executive Management Program from the UC Irvine Graduate School of Business, and has been a Certified Fund Raising Executive since 1988 through the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Scott Hudson
College of Engineering
College of Sciences, interim

Scott Hudson serves as Director of Engineering Programs at Washington State University Tri-Cities. He oversees undergraduate and graduate programs in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Computer Science and works with the faculty in these areas to pursue world-class education, research and public service.

Scott earned a PhD in Electrical Engineering from California Institute of Technology in 1990. That same year he joined the WSU School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science as an Assistant Professor at the Pullman campus. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1996 and full Professor in 2001. After serving for a time as the School's Associate Director, in 2002 Scott transferred to the WSU Tri-Cities campus where he has since been the Electrical Engineering Program Coordinator.

Scott also is serving as the interim academic director for the College of Sciences programs, effective July 2008.

Thought about WSU-Tri-Cities:

At WSU Tri-Cities, students can access the resources, programs and degrees of a major research university while enjoying the individual attention from faculty and staff that typifies a small-campus setting.

Elizabeth (Liza) Nagel, Ph.D.
College of Education

Elizabeth (Liza) Nagel, Ph.D., arrived in Spring 2008 from the University of New Mexico where she served in many capacities: Associate Professor of Health Education, Accreditation Coordinator for the College of Education, and Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.

She has an active research agenda that includes the study of youth risk-taking behaviors and stress management. A former member of the state advisory board for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, she assisted that organization in significantly decreasing the rates and impact of drunk-driving in the state of New Mexico. Prior to her tenure at the University of New Mexico, Dr. Nagel served as the Director of the Institute for Substance Abuse Prevention Studies at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. Her Project EDAHOE received the 1989 National Exemplary Drug Prevention Award designation by the U.S. Department of Education.

Dr. Nagel received her bachelor’s degree in Child Development at California State University. She earned her master’s degree in Family Relations and Ph.D. in Higher Education at Washington State University.

Julie A. Nelson
Human Relations

Julie Nelson serves as Human Resource Director at WSU Tri-Cities. She is responsible for a variety of personnel matters including employment, benefits, personnel records, position management and compensation, employee relations, performance management, training and development and compliance with university policies and state/federal laws and regulations.

Julie has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in human resources management from Washington State University. She’s a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and received certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources in 2004. Julie has 20 years human resource work experience in both private and public industry and has been with WSU Tri-Cities since January 2003.

Melissa O’Neil Perdue
Marketing

Melissa O’Neil Perdue joined Washington State University Tri-Cities in March 2007 as the Marketing and Promotions Manager.

She previously worked at the Tri-City Herald in Kennewick, Wash. She was a reporter from 1991 through 2000 covering city government, K-12 education and business. Melissa transferred to the Herald’s marketing department in spring 2000, where she handled the newspaper’s promotions, community relations, branding and events.

Melissa grew up in Portland, Ore., and graduated magna cum laude from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., with bachelor degrees in communications (print journalism) and business administration. She is on the Leadership Tri-Cities board of directors and a graduate of Leadership Tri-Cities Class IX (2003-04), and previously served on the Mid-Columbia Reading Foundation board.

Thought about WSU-Tri-Cities:

It is exciting to be part of a vibrant and growing campus. WSU Tri-Cities has new students, passionate employees, and a renewed commitment as a community partner in higher education and economic development. It’s easy to get caught up in the Cougar spirit!

Leonard Orr
College of Liberal Arts

Dr. Orr has been involved in the WSU Tri-Cities’ administration since 1993, and has served as the Academic Director of Liberal Arts since 2000. In addition to serving on campus leadership councils, he is a member of the College of Liberal Arts Administrative Leadership and the Dean’s Administrative Staff.

He is currently pursuing interdisciplinary research and teaching in the area of representations of the Holocaust, resulting in a new course, and fellowships in seminars at the centers for Advanced Holocaust Studies at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. He was honored by the College of Liberal Arts by being named to the Lewis E. and Stella G. Buchanan Distinguished Professorship in English (for 2005-2008).

Dr. Orr is a tenured, full professor in the English Department and he has been active in recent years as a poet, giving readings throughout the state and elsewhere, leading workshops, and serving as president of the Washington Poets Association

Thought about WSU Tri-Cities:

Dr. Orr believes the most exciting development for the campus has certainly been the start of the lower-division, a prospect he was told was imminent at the time he was interviewed for this position in 1990. This will have long-lived positive consequences throughout the programs and colleges from freshmen through doctoral students.

James R. (Dick) Pratt
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

James R. (Dick) Pratt joined Washington State University Tri-Cities as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs on Aug. 1, 2008.

Previously, Dick was founding Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Biology at Clarkson University in New York. His experience also includes Idaho State University’s Dean of Arts and Sciences and Portland State University’s Vice Provost for Academic Personnel and Budget in the Office of Academic Affairs.

Dick has served on national and international committees on environmental pollution, environmental indicators, and environmental restoration. He has been extensively published on the topics of environmental toxicology, environmental restoration, and microbial ecology. He also taught science at the middle school and high school levels for 10 years.

Dick received his doctoral degree in zoology from Virginia Tech, his master’s of science in biology from Eastern Washington University, and his bachelor’s of arts in biology from the University of Washington. He graduated from Kennewick High School in 1968.

Dick’s thought about WSU Tri-Cities:

This is an exciting time to be at WSU Tri-Cities. I’m looking forward to helping grow enrollment and to increase the diversity of programs that serve the region. Additionally, WSU Tri-Cities has excellent people ready to advance our research agenda, especially through work with our many community partners.

Lori Selby
Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration

Dr. Lori Selby has spent the past seven years in various administrative positions at research universities. Most recently, she served as the executive director of administration in the Business and Finance Office at Utah State University. Previously, Dr. Selby provided leadership to the Washington State University Department of Sponsored Programs Services as the director. She joined the
WSU Tri-Cities campus in August 2007 as the interim director of the Education programs and was reassigned to interim Vice Chancellor in December 2007.

Dr. Selby earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from WSU in 2001, her Master’s in Education from Eastern Washington University in 1990, and her Bachelor’s in Education from Eastern Washington University in 1983. Her 18 years of experience as an educator includes teaching elementary, middle school, high school, and community college classes, plus undergraduate and graduate level courses at a research university.

John Thornton
College of Business

Dr. Thornton is the Academic Director of the Business Programs and an Associate Professor of Accounting at Washington State University’s Tri-Cities Campus. Prior to coming to WSU in 2000, he served as an accounting faculty member and Director of Faculty Development at the U.S. Air Force Academy’ Department of Management. His research interests focus on professional ethics and auditor independence. Dr. Thornton serves on five editorial boards of accounting research journals. Between undergraduate and graduate degrees, he held staff and senior level positions in both local and international public accounting firms.

Thought about WSU TC:

"Prestigious school, small class sizes, student-focused faculty: WSU's Tri-Cities campus provides the best bang for your educational buck in the country. Now that makes an accountant happy!"

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Contact us: jklunstad@tricity.wsu.edu 509) 372-7258
Washington State University Tri-Cities, 2710 University Drive, Richland, WA 99354-1671 USA

	LoAnn Ayers Director of Campus Advancement LoAnn Ayers manages external relations functions for Washington State University Tri-Cities including: Integrated marketing to build community awareness of the campus, its programs and events and to support student recruitment. Developing relationships with individuals, alumni, businesses, and organizations to develop resources for the campus. Ensuring that the resources of the university are extended into the community ranging from the business assistance services of Business LINKS and the Tri-Cities Research District to educational enhancement programs for children and youth, adult professional education, and life enrichment events and seminars. LoAnn has been with the Richland campus since 1986. She holds an MBA from Washington State University and is a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional. Thought about WSU-Tri-Cities: WSU Tri-Cities is an incredible asset to the region — we graduate nurses and counselors who heal, teachers who impact the next generation, entrepreneurs who create jobs, and technical experts who invent, design, and build solutions. At WSU Tri-Cities, we change lives one person at a time. Our graduates contribute to the social and economic vitality of the region.
	Jaime Contreras Director of Student Affairs Jaime Contreras joined Washington State University Tri-Cities in June 2008 as the Director of Student Affairs. He oversees the admissions, recruitment, registrar, financial aid, career services, student associations, career services, and disability, veterans and counseling services. Jaime earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science from Loyola University Chicago and his master's degree in Educational Administration from Northeastern Illinois University. He has hands-on experience in financial aid and scholarships, admissions, counseling, advising, retention, community outreach, and marketing. Previous positions include Director of Admissions at Eastern Oregon University and Associate Director of Minority Recruitment Initiatives at Columbia College Chicago. His volunteer involvement includes the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), the Professional Latino Recruitment in Higher Education (PLARHE), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Latinos for the Next Century (LINC), and several boards representing educational organizations. Jaime has served as a mentor for more than 20 years, given presentations at more than 250 workshops as a higher education professional and as a motivational speaker, and written numerous articles for professional publications. Jaime’s goal is to assist others in achieving their professional and academic goals by providing guidance and leadership. His philosophy is: “I believe that it is not what you do for a living but what you do while you are living that matters in the end.”
	Phyllis Morris College of Nursing Phyllis Morris, MN, RN, CRNI, serves as the Regional Academic Director of Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing, based at WSU Tri-Cities for 2008-2009. Phyllis is responsible for the oversight of the Basic RN, RN to BSN, and MN programs on the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla campuses. Prior to joining WSU Tri-Cities, she worked in area hospitals and held several management positions. Phyllis holds a Master’s degree in Nursing Education, has more than 20 years of nursing experience, and specializes in intravenous therapy. She is an active member of several community based committees and boards, including the advisory boards for the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing and the Columbia Basin College Nursing program. Thought: The WSU Tri-Cities campus is providing a much needed service to the community by investing in nursing education. The student-to-instructor ratio and the collaboration with area healthcare facilities promotes a learning environment that affords an excellent educational experience for students.
	Sharon Ballidis Holden Director of Development Sharon joined WSU Tri-Cities in August 2008, bringing about 30 years of experience in fundraising and development. Sharon formed The Ballidis Group in 1992 in Wilomar, Calif., working with nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. on major gifts, audits, campaign feasibility studies, campaign counsel, board development, and volunteer and staff training. She managed capital/endowment campaign portfolios totaling more than $500 million — experience that is especially valuable with our campus growth and as WSU prepares to enter a capital campaign. Her long list of clients includes California State University Long Beach, Discover Science Center, Laguna College of Art & Design, Los Angeles Harbor College, Polytechnic University, Pretend City: The Children’s Museum of Orange County, the San Diego Jewish Academy, and the Whale Conservation Institute. Sharon also served on the faculty of the University of San Diego’s Graduate Program in Nonprofit Leadership & Management, and on the University of California San Diego and UC Irvine’s certificate programs in fundraising, teaching entry-level through advanced fundraising and nonprofit management classes. Sharon earned her bachelor’s degree from Long Beach State University, a Certificate in Executive Management Program from the UC Irvine Graduate School of Business, and has been a Certified Fund Raising Executive since 1988 through the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
	Scott Hudson College of Engineering College of Sciences, interim Scott Hudson serves as Director of Engineering Programs at Washington State University Tri-Cities. He oversees undergraduate and graduate programs in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Computer Science and works with the faculty in these areas to pursue world-class education, research and public service. Scott earned a PhD in Electrical Engineering from California Institute of Technology in 1990. That same year he joined the WSU School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science as an Assistant Professor at the Pullman campus. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1996 and full Professor in 2001. After serving for a time as the School's Associate Director, in 2002 Scott transferred to the WSU Tri-Cities campus where he has since been the Electrical Engineering Program Coordinator. Scott also is serving as the interim academic director for the College of Sciences programs, effective July 2008. Thought about WSU-Tri-Cities: At WSU Tri-Cities, students can access the resources, programs and degrees of a major research university while enjoying the individual attention from faculty and staff that typifies a small-campus setting.
	Elizabeth (Liza) Nagel, Ph.D. College of Education Elizabeth (Liza) Nagel, Ph.D., arrived in Spring 2008 from the University of New Mexico where she served in many capacities: Associate Professor of Health Education, Accreditation Coordinator for the College of Education, and Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. She has an active research agenda that includes the study of youth risk-taking behaviors and stress management. A former member of the state advisory board for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, she assisted that organization in significantly decreasing the rates and impact of drunk-driving in the state of New Mexico. Prior to her tenure at the University of New Mexico, Dr. Nagel served as the Director of the Institute for Substance Abuse Prevention Studies at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. Her Project EDAHOE received the 1989 National Exemplary Drug Prevention Award designation by the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Nagel received her bachelor’s degree in Child Development at California State University. She earned her master’s degree in Family Relations and Ph.D. in Higher Education at Washington State University.
	Julie A. Nelson Human Relations Julie Nelson serves as Human Resource Director at WSU Tri-Cities. She is responsible for a variety of personnel matters including employment, benefits, personnel records, position management and compensation, employee relations, performance management, training and development and compliance with university policies and state/federal laws and regulations. Julie has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in human resources management from Washington State University. She’s a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and received certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources in 2004. Julie has 20 years human resource work experience in both private and public industry and has been with WSU Tri-Cities since January 2003.
	Melissa O’Neil Perdue Marketing Melissa O’Neil Perdue joined Washington State University Tri-Cities in March 2007 as the Marketing and Promotions Manager. She previously worked at the Tri-City Herald in Kennewick, Wash. She was a reporter from 1991 through 2000 covering city government, K-12 education and business. Melissa transferred to the Herald’s marketing department in spring 2000, where she handled the newspaper’s promotions, community relations, branding and events. Melissa grew up in Portland, Ore., and graduated magna cum laude from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., with bachelor degrees in communications (print journalism) and business administration. She is on the Leadership Tri-Cities board of directors and a graduate of Leadership Tri-Cities Class IX (2003-04), and previously served on the Mid-Columbia Reading Foundation board. Thought about WSU-Tri-Cities: It is exciting to be part of a vibrant and growing campus. WSU Tri-Cities has new students, passionate employees, and a renewed commitment as a community partner in higher education and economic development. It’s easy to get caught up in the Cougar spirit!
	Leonard Orr College of Liberal Arts Dr. Orr has been involved in the WSU Tri-Cities’ administration since 1993, and has served as the Academic Director of Liberal Arts since 2000. In addition to serving on campus leadership councils, he is a member of the College of Liberal Arts Administrative Leadership and the Dean’s Administrative Staff. He is currently pursuing interdisciplinary research and teaching in the area of representations of the Holocaust, resulting in a new course, and fellowships in seminars at the centers for Advanced Holocaust Studies at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. He was honored by the College of Liberal Arts by being named to the Lewis E. and Stella G. Buchanan Distinguished Professorship in English (for 2005-2008). Dr. Orr is a tenured, full professor in the English Department and he has been active in recent years as a poet, giving readings throughout the state and elsewhere, leading workshops, and serving as president of the Washington Poets Association Thought about WSU Tri-Cities: Dr. Orr believes the most exciting development for the campus has certainly been the start of the lower-division, a prospect he was told was imminent at the time he was interviewed for this position in 1990. This will have long-lived positive consequences throughout the programs and colleges from freshmen through doctoral students.
	James R. (Dick) Pratt Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs James R. (Dick) Pratt joined Washington State University Tri-Cities as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs on Aug. 1, 2008. Previously, Dick was founding Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Biology at Clarkson University in New York. His experience also includes Idaho State University’s Dean of Arts and Sciences and Portland State University’s Vice Provost for Academic Personnel and Budget in the Office of Academic Affairs. Dick has served on national and international committees on environmental pollution, environmental indicators, and environmental restoration. He has been extensively published on the topics of environmental toxicology, environmental restoration, and microbial ecology. He also taught science at the middle school and high school levels for 10 years. Dick received his doctoral degree in zoology from Virginia Tech, his master’s of science in biology from Eastern Washington University, and his bachelor’s of arts in biology from the University of Washington. He graduated from Kennewick High School in 1968. Dick’s thought about WSU Tri-Cities: This is an exciting time to be at WSU Tri-Cities. I’m looking forward to helping grow enrollment and to increase the diversity of programs that serve the region. Additionally, WSU Tri-Cities has excellent people ready to advance our research agenda, especially through work with our many community partners.
	Lori Selby Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration Dr. Lori Selby has spent the past seven years in various administrative positions at research universities. Most recently, she served as the executive director of administration in the Business and Finance Office at Utah State University. Previously, Dr. Selby provided leadership to the Washington State University Department of Sponsored Programs Services as the director. She joined the WSU Tri-Cities campus in August 2007 as the interim director of the Education programs and was reassigned to interim Vice Chancellor in December 2007. Dr. Selby earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from WSU in 2001, her Master’s in Education from Eastern Washington University in 1990, and her Bachelor’s in Education from Eastern Washington University in 1983. Her 18 years of experience as an educator includes teaching elementary, middle school, high school, and community college classes, plus undergraduate and graduate level courses at a research university.
	John Thornton College of Business Dr. Thornton is the Academic Director of the Business Programs and an Associate Professor of Accounting at Washington State University’s Tri-Cities Campus. Prior to coming to WSU in 2000, he served as an accounting faculty member and Director of Faculty Development at the U.S. Air Force Academy’ Department of Management. His research interests focus on professional ethics and auditor independence. Dr. Thornton serves on five editorial boards of accounting research journals. Between undergraduate and graduate degrees, he held staff and senior level positions in both local and international public accounting firms. Thought about WSU TC: "Prestigious school, small class sizes, student-focused faculty: WSU's Tri-Cities campus provides the best bang for your educational buck in the country. Now that makes an accountant happy!"