Higher Ed, November 11, 2018 by Cowles Publishing

HIGHER ED 2018

Student Success in the Modern World pg 10

Dogs on Campus pg 14

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

More online options for students of the future

By Dan Webster / Marketing Correspondent

Jeffry Willadsen wasn’t what most people would think of as an average university student. For one thing, Willadsen was a full-time member of the U.S. Navy. For another, he took online courses to earn the credits required for both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Willadsen’s job (the Navy calls it a “rating”) was as a Mass Communication Specialist, which, he says, meant that he “did media and public work, including journalism, photography, videography and graphics.” He’d already earned an associate’s degree at Columbia Basin College before enlisting, sitting in traditional classroom settings. But when he wanted to pursue more options, he began taking online classes through Thomas Edison State College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. After searching for a suitable graduate program, Willadsen discovered Washington State University’s Global Campus. The school’s Master’s in Strategic Communication, he says, “piqued my interest.” He began the program – which included courses like “Creative Media Strategies & Techniques” – and ultimately earned his graduate degree. “I had an amazing experience as an online student at WSU’s Global Campus,” Willadsen says. “I had professors who were experts in their ﬁelds with outstanding professional experience. I felt they truly cared about my success, and they were there to help me every step of the way.”

Willadsen’s experience is becoming more common. Though distance learning has a long history, having begun more than a century ago with correspondence courses, it has exploded since the advent of the Internet. By fall 2016, according to Forbes.com, some 6.3 million students were taking at least one course online – a 5.6 percent increase over the previous year. That figure includes courses offered by both public colleges and universities and at private nonprofit schools (enrollment dropped slightly at for-profit online programs). It includes all major Northwest schools, from the University of Washington to the University of Idaho, and all those serving the immediate area: WSU, Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University and Whitworth University, plus both the Community Colleges of Spokane and North Idaho College. Inquiring students from all over the world can now find any number of distance-learning programs that offer undergraduate and graduate courses, plus opportunities to earn special certificates. One question concerning online learning involves quality. Do students learn as well while taking online courses as they do in in-class settings? According to a study conducted at MIT, the answer is yes. The study, conducted among students taking an MIT physics course – showed that some people studying online might even get more out of it than traditional students. For them, said David Pritchard, one of the MIT researchers, “The amount learned is somewhat greater than in the traditional, lecture-based course.”

One positive aspect of online learning is obvious: It better serves the needs of those who simply can’t take advantage of a more traditional educational path. “At WSU, the reality is that the bulk of our students are adult learners,” says Debbie O’Donnell, director of Marketing & Student Services at Washington State’s department of Academic Outreach and Innovation. Most “aren’t in a position where they can uproot themselves and move to a campus.” Even if they do live in a city with a college or university nearby – Spokane, for example – they may not be able to adapt to a standard 8-to-5 classroom format. “Online learning allows students the ability to manage their schedule to accommodate not just their education but also their other responsibilities,” O’Donnell said. “Things like family and career and volunteer work.” The range of courses available online, in multiple subject areas, is enough to serve the needs of any aspiring student. Students such as Navy veteran Willadsen. Now working for WSU as a senior writer for the school’s department of Academic Outreach & Innovation, Willadsen can’t praise his online education enough. “During my time in the online program, I learned practical skills and valuable knowledge that I still use all the time in my current job,” he says. “The credentials I earned also gave a huge boost to my resume, making it much easier to get a great job when I got out of the military.”

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Serious about studying? Try these strategies By Terry Bain / Marketing Correspondent

Strong study skills can go a long way in higher education. Although everyone’s methods of preparing and retaining can differ, there are some common ways to focus better on the subject matter. With enough self-discipline these can eventually turn into habits.

First

Throw your phone into the sea. Or at least lock it up in a place you can’t see it. You don’t want it around when you’re trying to focus, and studies show that even the music you think is helping you relax is probably keeping you from retaining as much information as you could. Also clear your workspace of distracting playthings like Rubik’s cubes, dryer lint, or pictures of your bae. Gross.

Chunk it up

Don’t try to do all your studying at once. If you’ve barricaded yourself into a room with a UV lamp and a week supply of caffeine, don’t expect your brain and body to be able to process all the studying you need to do at once. Take breaks at regular intervals. Set a timer on your computer, or get yourself a pomodoro (a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato), and let your eyes, brain and buttocks rest every 25 minutes or so.

Gamify

Understand that if you are the sort of person who procrastinates, you may need to ﬁgure out some ways to motivate yourself. I like to gamify my work with rewards. Despite the fact that some recommend getting the reward after doing the work, I am way too much of a procrastinator for that to have an effect on me. I want the reward during, not after. It helps for me to allow myself to work in my favorite coffee bar with a favorite coffee drink next to a favorite window with lots of natural

light. Not only does this encourage me to actually do what needs to be done, but I feel better while I’m doing it, I tend to be more productive, and I’m probably not going to fall asleep or decide to play Fortnite in the middle of a session. And if I don’t always study in the same place, I won’t be surprise killed by monotony while hiding in a bush.

Study with a buddy

This can add to the “fun” of studying, but it also helps to have someone to bounce ideas off of, to talk about what you’re learning, and to help share the burden of learnin’. Furthermore, the more you share what you learn with others, the more likely you are to remember what you’ve learned longer. It’s just science.

Learn to read

Since you’re reading this, I assume you know how to read things that interest you. But reading things for college can be a heck of a lot more challenging. Most scholars recommend active reading—and that doesn’t mean reading during spin class. There are essentially three steps to active reading: 1. Prereading. Look over the whole of what you’re reading quickly, including headings, callouts, and review questions at the ends of chapters. 2. Questioning. Write out some questions that come to mind before you do the reading. 3. Read. Take notes about the reading. Summarize passages in your own words. And when you’re done with the reading, look back at what you’ve done and see if it all makes sense.

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Don’t cram

Cramming doesn’t work. You will not remember the stuff you “learn” when you cram it into your brain the night before the exam. You might earn yourself a moderately passing grade by memorizing the subatomic mass of Boron, but you won’t remember it when you really need it. The only way to remember the details of the things you need to remember is to methodically and actively struggle with and analyze the assigned material. There are no short cuts! (Unless, of course, you consider being prepared, doing the work, and engaging with the material a short cut, in which case you probably don’t need tips on study skills.)

ible, try to go to As much as poss ately the same sleep at approxim t at least eight t, ge time every nigh ake up at the w d n a , p e e sl f o a hours rning. Establish o m ry e v e e m ti same d make yourself n a , e n ti u ro g in morn nd the work you a y a d e th r fo y read ou. have ahead of y

Sleep

Every study skills story in the history of forever recommends that you get good sleep, and this is not an accident. If you don’t get good sleep, your body and brain and soul will not be prepared for any of the studying that you do. You will not retain the information as well, you will not be as alert for your classes, you will be more susceptible to illness and disease, and you will look like a wreck.

Treat study like the job that it is, and when it’s time to play you’ll be more prepared to give that break the attention it deserves without constantly being worried that you haven’t studied for Psych and you have a test in the morning and 80 pages yet to read. Schedule your study time, your sleep time, and your play time so you get a chance to do all three, and all three will be much improved. Finally, don’t give up. Sometimes it’s going to seem hard – maybe even impossible. That’s sort of the point. Stretch yourself out to the limits of your ability, and your ability will naturally grow. Remember, this is one of the biggest decisions of your child’s life so far. Offer guidance, support and help with all the nitty-gritty details, but let them make the ultimate decision. If you encourage them to dream big, with enough research and determination, they may just ﬁnd exactly what they want is within their reach.

Make your New Year’s resolution a high-wage job! Enroll by December 12.

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Community Colleges of Spokane provides equal opportunity in education and employment. J

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

No matter how you look at it, college is expensive.

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True, it’s an investment that usually pays off nicely with things like higher earning potential and job satisfaction as you gain useful foundations. It also can open many more doors to different types of work, when compared to someone with a high school degree or GED. Medical school for instance is the best way to learn the skills to be a physician or other medical specialties, regardless of the price tag. But the profession also pays well, so potential costs can be justified. But it is pricey, no matter how you do it. While loans/grants are useful especially for those financial needs, not everyone wants to pursue this route if at all possible, or at least as little possible. Scholarships are one option that can be provided by institutions, nonprofits, community organizations or even businesses. These are often awarded first to top performers in athletics or academics, but some can be available for everyone from alumni to heritage groups (Daughters of the American Revolution, etc.). But another effective way that students and their parents can help pay for college is simply to start saving – the earlier the better. Financial professionals will happily encourage you to start saving for Junior’s college fund right when they’re born. That way, even if you put aside $50-$100 a month, it will accrue nicely over 18 years.

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Because many ﬁnancial companies and municipalities recognize the value – and the ﬁnancial burden – of paying for school, there are various options and incentives to encourage savings.

Some include: 529. Each state offers a variation of a 529 savings plan, which provides tax and financial benefits for people who save for college or even K-12 tuition. The term refers to Internal Revenue Code Section 529, which describes how people can receive tax incentives for savings for public or private school. The state or plan owner invests the money in various investments to hopefully increase everyone’s balance. Taxes are deferred, and distributions aren’t taxed federally when used for qualified education expenses. You don’t have to be a resident of a certain state or plan to attend school in that state to invest in a specific 529. Individual states also may allow state deductions for investing in their 529 plan. Qualifying expenses can cover tuition and supplies. There are maximum amounts of contribution from a parent or a gift. Currently, an individual can give up to $15,000 per year or $70,000 once to cover a five-year period. For more info visit www.savingforcollege.com/intro-to-529s.

Roth IRA/Roth 401K. These Roth plans allow people to invest in mutual funds for retirement needs or future education goals. As the market/fund grows, more money could be added to individual accounts. Roth IRAs, however, can be drawn from for school expenses as well as retirement expenses. People who withdraw funds for school don’t have to pay tax on them. Standard withdrawal rules do apply, however. Someone must be age 59 ½ or face a 10 percent early distribution fee. For more info visit ﬁnaid.org/savingsretirment Financial planners have access to other funds to encourage clients to save well for college, including the Uniform Gift Minors Act or Uniform Transfer Act. This makes it easier to transfer money from an adult’s account to a child’s account for future needs.

Dream big. Plan ahead. Washington College Savings Plans can help you start saving towards a brighter future. Learn more at wastate529.wa.gov

GET and DreamAhead are qualified tuition programs sponsored and distributed by the State of Washington. The Committee on Advanced Tuition Payment and College Savings administers and the Washington Student Achievement Council supports the plans. DreamAhead investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. If in-state tuition decreases in the future, GET tuition units may lose value.

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Libraries can be useful resource for educationseekers

Tips for students who want to know what a prospective school’s library is like: Check out the library website. Is it intuitive? Is it easy to navigate? Do they have a large selection of digital databases that you may need for research? If you already know your focus of study, look around and see what types of materials they have to support your research. Visit and ask a reference desk librarian questions. Tell them you are considering attending and want to know what kind of support they can offer students. Ask if there are security guards to escort you back to your dorm if you end up staying late at night. Most large campuses have that available. Walk around, visualize yourself there for many hours a week. Do you see groups of students hanging out together? Are there areas where you can socialize or work on group projects? Consider that the library it can make or break your college career especially if you’re serious about your studies.

By Sarah Bain / Marketing Correspondent

Applying to college means reviewing a lot of websites, visiting campuses and getting flooded with mail. How you choose a college varies from person to person, but most students likely look at the programs they are interested in, the location of the school, and how much it costs above most other considerations. But there’s one more aspect of campus life students should explore before making their final decision, and a great person to ask for help would be a librarian. Have you thought about looking at colleges because of their library system? Have you considered doing some research on what your college library has to offer? Most students probably haven’t so here are some things to think about as your college search continues. One catalyst for choosing a college could be in thinking about ways that a first-rate library system at your school will be beneficial to your college experience. And consider asking a few questions of your prospective college along the way. After all, the emphasis any given school places on its library can be indicative of how much value they place on the educational experience overall.

A good place to start asking questions is with the college admissions ofﬁcer, but don’t stop there. When you do a campus visit, check in with the students about their own library experiences. Let them know you’re thinking of attending school there and you’re wondering how they like it, what the library is like, and whether you can have your coffee in there. Even better, go hang out at the library for an hour or so and check out the atmosphere. Talk to a librarian. It is literally his or her work to help you. If you visit the University of Washington, for example, you can sit in the Starbucks cafe to fuel up before you head to the stacks to study. After you are satisfactorily caffeinated, choose just about any ﬂoor for a study cubicle or quiet room to hit the books and work on that research project. It helps too that beautiful artwork lines some of the walls in many university libraries, because libraries are more than just a place for accessing knowledge and materials. They also need to be livable, quality places for you to get your work done.

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

At larger universities like the UW, there are often many libraries to choose from, and that can be a great option for more serious students. Isabella Harris, a freshman at the University of Washington likes that there are multiple choices. “There are so many libraries on campus, and smaller libraries like the drama library are great places to study because they aren’t crowded. Often they are very quiet,” she said. Find out how late your libraries are open at the college you are considering. If you are a procrastinator, a school with at least one library open 24 hours a day can be a good thing to keep you from falling asleep in your dorm room when that paper has to be turned in by 8 a.m. the next day. It’s not so much that your school library will become more of a consideration than other factors, but it is deﬁnitely a factor, we highly recommend checking it out.

“...go hang out at the library for an hour or so and check out the atmosphere. Talk to a librarian. It is literally his or her work to help you.”

Y FO D A E R U O Y E R A T? C A r o T THE SA Spokane Public Library provides free online college admissions test preparation. Login with your library card to get started. bit.ly/SATPrepSPL

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ESL CLASSES English as a Second Language classes focus on reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English, plus computer literacy at DEER PARK LIBRARY. The Spokane Public Library Foundation funds programs like these through private dollars. To learn more or donate, visit www.spokanelibraryfoundation.org.

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HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Student Success in the Modern World By Dan Webster / Marketing Correspondent

If you’re looking for a career that will provide great employment opportunities in the near future, think health. For a number of reasons, an aging population chief among them, healthrelated career ﬁelds are likely to be among the best paths to stable employment.

Then again, being able to work with computers may be an even better bet. Those recommendations come from U.S. News & World Report, which publishes an annual list of 100 Best Jobs. Using its own methodology, backed by information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the publication ranks jobs according to how well they offer “higher salaries, ample open positions and opportunities for promotion.”

Topping the list for 2018? Software developer, followed by dentist, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, orthodontist, statistician, pediatrician and obstetrician and gynecologist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and physician. The magazine admits: “Careers are subjective. Teaching youngsters reading, writing and arithmetic sounds like a perfect job to some, while others dream

of spending hours performing highstakes surgery.” That very subjectivity may be why, other than the ﬁeld of study ranked No. 1, the list of popular college majors as determined by the Princeton Review seems different from the “best jobs.” According to the Princeton Review, the most popular major is computer science, followed by communications,

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

government/political science, business, economics, English language and literature, psychology, nursing, chemical engineering, and biology. “(E)ach of these majors does offer unique intellectual challenges,” the Review says, “and will help you develop skill sets that will be applicable in a variety of professional positions.”

... health-related career ﬁelds are likely to be among a college graduate’s best paths to stable employment.

The key word here is “variety.” It’s close in concept to a word that Virginia Hinch uses when she lists traits that today’s college graduates need when choosing careers: versatility. Hinch works for Eastern Washington University as assistant vice president, Student Services, and EWU’s Executive Director of Career Development. Among the top ﬁelds of interest, she lists health care, science and engineering, education, communications, computer science, children’s studies and social justice. Hinch emphasizes students today need to be open to demands of an everevolving job market. “We hear that the careers our students who are freshmen will graduate into are jobs that haven’t even come up yet,” Hinch says. “We don’t even know what they are.” Students “need to be super versatile. … Yes, you can get a degree in accounting and become an accountant. This is a hot ﬁeld. But there’s so much more out there.” Much has little to do with academics, a sentiment that Tiffany Riddle shares. Director of Career Services at Whitworth University, Riddle says “our science department is exploding right now,” with education and business majors close behind. Just as important, though, Riddle emphasizes the “competencies” as outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. These include the ability to think critically and problem-solve, to work in

a team and collaborate, to understand and employ digital technology, to act as a good leader and to exhibit professionalism and a good work ethic. “Competencies are huge,” Riddle says. She holds “networking events” with industry professionals that educate students on how to “ask questions, meet people, exchange business cards and get a feel for what’s out there.” “With all the academics students are learning, that’s great. But beyond just knowing their major, they have to be whole people.” Echoing those sentiments, Eastern’s Hinch adds, “In our culture today you can’t just have that degree. You need corresponding experience. And networking is huge. That is so much a part of how people get jobs.”

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HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

PROS & CONS OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS Private schools definitely have their perks, such as smaller class sizes and often more in-depth academic programs. Institutions with religious affiliations also can sometimes help students achieve academically while exploring their own spirituality. But in return for partaking of the often impressive academic or athletic reputations, the schools may charge higher fees than public universities or colleges. However, many of them also offer all sorts of scholarship programs and financial aid options to help students eager to pursue educational opportunities.

The following are some of the private institutions that often attract interest in the Inland Northwest.

campus has been recognized for not just its beauty but its sustainability efforts – all buildings created after 2010 have received LEED certification, a national Whitworth University certifi cation for energy efficiency. www.whitworth.edu Programs include the College of Arts Whitworth opened in 1890. The and Sciences; School of Business; School residential liberal arts institution is of Education, and School of Continuing affiliated with the Presbyterian Church Studies. and continues to be proud of its rigorous Annual tuition is $43,640 (2018-2019) intellectual inquiry combined with plus $11,496 room and board. Christian faith and learning. Along with its high academic Enrollment is 2,649 undergraduates standards, the college is also known and 421 graduate students as of 2018for an impressive athletic program, 2019. The school boasts an impressive and competes at the NCAA Division III 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The 200-acre level. It also has earned the best overall

athletics program for the division’s Northwest conference.

Gonzaga University www.gonzaga.edu While the Zags are in the news a lot for their athletic excellence, the school brings more than a century of academic and spiritual tradition and success. The Roman Catholic private university in Spokane has been a part of the Inland Northwest community since 1887, providing solid Catholic education with a Jesuit approach to academic excellence and appreciation of scholarly pursuits. Students can earn undergraduate,

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

master’s and doctoral degrees at the 152-acre campus near downtown Spokane , which includes 7,566 students for the 2018-2019 year. The student body currently includes about 5,320 undergraduates and 1,601 master’s students and 293 Ph.D. students. Undergraduates can pursue 15 degrees in 53 majors, including business, engineering, nursing, and art, plus ﬁve Ph.D. ﬁelds, and 22 master’s degree programs. The Gonzaga School of Law also awards juris doctorate degrees. Full-time undergraduate students pay $42,370 per year (2018-19), and graduate credits range from $700-$1,102 per credit depending on the program.

College of Idaho www.collegeoﬁdaho.edu/ Idaho’s oldest private liberal arts college opened its doors in 1891. Formerly Albertson College, the College of Idaho offers a focus on humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and professional ﬁelds. Its innovative PEAK program encourages students to earn one major and three minors in four years.

The institution is located in Caldwell, and has enrollment of about 925. Students can choose from 26 majors and 58 minors. Current costs are $14,700 per semester or $29,400 per year. The school also is proud of its 11:1 student to teacher ratio.

Carroll College www.carroll.edu/ This Catholic-based college in Helena, Mont., has an enrollment of about 1,354 undergraduate students. It was founded in 1909 by the Catholic Diocese of Helena, and today students can pursue 52 baccalaureate programs plus associate’s degrees and 9 pre-professional programs. Noteworthy undergraduate academic programs include science, civil engineering, nursing, teacher education and math. Tuition is $34,506/year for undergraduate or $17,253 per semester. Nearby are some 75 miles of hiking and biking trails, just five minutes from campus. Students enjoy fly fishing on streams and the nearby Missouri River, as well as skiing at Great Divide Ski Area.

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HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Dogs on Campus! Comfort Piranha! Some service, support animals

MAKE THE GRADE By Jean Arthur / Marketing Correspondent

Cats, dogs, guinea pigs, miniature ponies and peacocks. More and more colleges are experiencing students bringing pets to campus. In some cases, U.S. law recognizes the students’ rights to have the animal and attend classes, but not all cases. Many owners say service animals help with accessibility issues, stress and anxiety. But before packing your puppy off to college, understand that the legal definition for service animal differs from emotional support animals or support animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a service animal as “a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.” An animal must be trained to perform a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability. For example, a person with diabetes may have a dog trained to alert when the person’s blood sugar reaches high or low levels. A person with depression may have a dog trained to remind the owner to take medication. A person with epilepsy may have a dog trained to detect the onset of a seizure and help the person remain safe during the seizure.

Photo by Jean Arthur Service dog owner/trainer/handler Kelsey Weyerbacher and Finley Mae.

Emotional support, therapy, comfort or companion animals, collectively call ESAs, are not considered service animals under the ADA. The federal government notes that some organizations and individuals sell animal certiﬁcation or registration documents, yet such documents do not “convey any rights under the ADA and the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that the dog is a service animal.” However, some colleges and universities do make exception for ESAs. Prior to bringing a therapy animal

to campus, students should check with campus ofﬁcials regarding local rules. During Emily Romero’s second semester at college, she moved off campus and brought her dog, Darla, with her to classes and events. “Almost everyone was excited to meet Darla; not only was she very cute, she had a very happy disposition and helped me make a few friends,” says Romero, from Eagle River, Alaska. “Since she and I preferred her to be off-leash, I frequently ran into people saying, ‘Where are you going? Where is your owner?’

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

fake service animals has exploded. She also found support on campus People can simply purchase a vest from faculty. online for their animal, but due to ADA “I had a math professor calling on regulations, only certain questions can Darla in class for the answer, and a be asked. The sad thing is that most biology professor who discovered her people don’t even know what those when picking up my quiz, tell her ‘Oh I bet you’re really good at biology, you’re questions are, and in fear of breaking a regulation, don’t say anything.” such a big help!’ Teaching Assistants Officials and staff at any business or would just look at us completely baffled as she responded quickly and efficiently institution may only, legally, ask two questions: to my non-verbal commands. We were Is the service animal required because lucky enough to encounter very little of a disability? animosity.” What work or task has the dog been Now a senior in Organismal Biology, trained to perform? Romero did encounter a few less Staff cannot ask about the pleasant responses. person’s disability, require medical “I was cornered in the library and documentation or special identification told that I needed to file paperwork or training documentation for the dog, proving a disability and service animal or ask that the dog demonstrate its certification. ESA (certificates) were no ability to perform the work or task. longer allowed.” “You can tell when an animal Romero understood that the librarian isn’t working or trained to work,” wanted her to acquire documented ADA disability status even though Darla Weyerbacher said. “So many people wears a vest and Romero packs the ESA walk around campus with ESA vests, even though these animals don’t have card. The duo avoided the library when public rights regarding public spaces Darla joined Romero on campus. and buildings.” “Another student picked Darla up and was petting her and as she cooed, she looked up at me Weyerbacher recognizes her health to ask ‘Haha, what improved “dramatically,” when she would you do if I snatched her up and acquired a golden retriever as a pup. took her home?’ I responded with a cool, ‘Haha I would She recognizes that business owners hunt you down.’” often encounter negative interactions Pets on campus also create new with fake working animals and then challenges, including setting up litter proffer negative responses to ESAboxes, going out for walks, or being trained animals. stuck in a room if their owner is in class “Public responsibility and education for hours. Legally, schools must comply with the are necessary. I am a huge supporter of enforcing the validity of animals, Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair and fining people faking their animal’s Housing Act and Title IX. service. It’s illegal representation and an “The stressors of having a Service Animal are sometimes more detrimental abuse of the ADA community.” Some states fine and jail people than the benefits of handling a Service who fake an animal’s service training. Animal due to our uninformed culture California penalties can exceed $1,000 surrounding Service Animal education,” and up to six months in jail. notes Kelsey Weyerbacher, currently in “This is an emerging issue for us,” her final year of graduate school and says Alan Blattner, president of the owner of service dog in training, Finley Association of College and University Mae. “In the last year, the number of

Housing Ofﬁcers. “Residence halls are not considered to be pet-friendly. We want to support the students and the safety of the animals, but also other students with allergies or fears.” Some international students have a deep fear of animals because of different cultural upbringing. Nigerian pre-med student Daniel Minasia said dogs in his country were primarily for security purposes. “Dogs back home were mostly large Rottweilers,” he said. “Coming to the U.S., I still had that mindset and fear.” Another international student, Bess Lee, a recent nursing graduate, had a different perspective. “In Hong Kong, most dogs are wild, begging or stealing food, ﬁghting with each other and possibly have diseases like rabies.” Residential halls house students with allergies too, offering yet more complications. “Colleges get requests to accommodate miniature ponies, ferrets-you name it,” Blattner says. “Whatever animal is designated therapeutic by the student’s mental health practitioner.” One solution, launched in 2011 by Harvard University and emulated at

colleges across the country, is an endof-semester study break with trained therapy dogs and their handlers, sponsored by campus programs. Weyerbacher recognizes her health improved “dramatically,” when she acquired a golden retriever as a pup. Now, as a graduate teaching assistant, her dog comes with her. “My attendance rates are higher than any other GTA in our department, and students are devastated when Finley doesn’t come to class,” Weyerbacher says. “Especially in the fall, ﬁrst-year students are homesick for their family and pets, and stressed about the realities of school. At least three of my students in each of my two classes comment on how glad they are to have a dog in their class.”

MORE INFO For legal information regarding ADA regulations and service animals, visit the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section at ada.gov. Be sure to contact your college disability office and housing office for specific requirements for therapy animals on your campus.

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Regional medical opportunities abound via higher education collaboration By Renée Sande / Marketing Correspondent

When Spokane was chosen to host the prestigious 51st annual Western Institute of Nursing research conference last April, it was exciting but not surprising. The conference welcomed 800 nurse scientists, nursing faculty and administrators, graduate students and executives, confirming what the area’s medical community already knew: that Spokane is quickly becoming a hub for medical educational opportunities, research and practice. Over the past 10 years, not only has the Washington State University College of Nursing increased its research capacity by 400 percent and proven to be a national leader in providing distance education and interdisciplinary learning, but was also one of the first programs in the state to allow RN-BSN Direct Transfer Agreements (DTAs), allowing community college nursing students to seamlessly transfer from an associate’s to a bachelor’s degree program. Another first was the entire 2018 class of 60 incoming medical students at the University of Washington, School of Medicine (UWSOM), through a partnership with Gonzaga University, selecting Spokane over Seattle, as their choice of location. In prior years Seattle was always the overwhelming top choice. And there’s still a wait list for the Spokane class. “Spokane is a growing hub for medical education because students feel supported by the community, medical industry and our partner, Gonzaga University,” said Darryl Potyk, in an article on the school website. Potyk is associate dean for Eastern Washington for the UWSOM and chief of medical education for the UWSOMGU Regional Health Partnership.

While most areas of the medical ﬁeld are a safe bet for a stable career in the foreseeable decade, according to the Washington state Employment Security Department, registered nursing will be the most in-demand occupation in Spokane County for jobs that require at least a bachelor’s degree. It will be followed closely by physicians, surgeons and pharmacy technicians. Here are some of the region’s medical program offerings. Community Colleges of Spokane/WSU College of Nursing RN-BSN Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) Program A DTA between Washington’s community and technical colleges and state universities that offer the RNBSN degree helps nursing students move seamlessly from an associate to a bachelor’s degree program. Community college students complete their nursing prerequisites, general education requirements and associate degree at any participating community or technical college, and are guaranteed that they have everything they need to apply to a participating RN-BSN program. scc.spokane.edu/What-to-Study/ Healthcare/Nursing WSU College of Nursing To answer the need for a fouryear nursing program in Eastern Washington, in 1968 a visionary group of nurse leaders from Spokane created the Intercollegiate Center for Nursing Education, an innovative consortium baccalaureate nursing (BSN) program. The ﬁrst of its kind in the nation, the ICNE included what is now Eastern Washington University, Fort Wright College of the Holy Names, Washington State University, and Whitworth University (then Whitworth College).

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

By 1990, WSU had so advanced technologically to begin offering a two-way television network where classes could be viewed by the college’s satellite nursing sites. These capabilities allowed ICNE to develop the state’s first RN-BSN program in Spokane, Vancouver, and Tri-Cities for registered nurses to continue their education while balancing careers and family obligations. In 1999, the consortium formally became the Intercollegiate College of Nursing/Washington State University College of Nursing and today is referred to as WSU College of Nursing. BSN students can enter the program through Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, Whitworth University or as a transfer student.nursing.wsu.edu/ WSU Doctor of Pharmacy and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences In the Doctor of Pharmacy program students learn traditional practices of dispensing and compounding medications and also learn how to give flu shots, take blood pressure, test blood glucose, and more. In the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences program, students interact face-to-face with research faculty and students in pharmacy, medicine, nursing, and other health sciences and will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned expert researchers. pharmacy.wsu.edu/ University of Washington School of Medicine – and educate them with the intent for graduates to Gonzaga University (UWSOM-GU) return to practice in those or similar communities. The UWSOM-GU Regional Health Partnership As of October 2017, the COM has graduated 488 is a medical school program, where students are physicians, with 57 percent practicing in rural or enrolled in the UW School of Medicine, and complete medically underserved areas. their Foundations Phase (the first 18 months) of PNWU also collaborates with WSU Schools of medical school – integrating basic science and Pharmacy and Nursing, and Heritage University’s clinical education, as well as rural training early in the Physician Assistant and Master of Arts in Medical curriculum – both on the Gonzaga campus and in the Science programs. pnwu.edu/ community. WWAMI (Washington, Gonzaga University is Wyoming, Alaska, the first private institution Montana and Idaho) “Spokane is a growing hub for to join the UW School Consortium medical education because students of Medicine WWAMI Heralded as the feel supported by the community, (Washington, Wyoming, nation's top primarymedical industry and our partner, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) care, family medicine Gonzaga University,” said program as a full partner. and rural medicine Darryl Potyk gonzaga.edu/academics/ training school regional-health-partnership by U.S. News & World Report for the past Pacific Northwest 23 years, the University of Washington School of University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, (UWSOM) started WWAMI in the early 1970s Medicine (PNWU-COM) to train and prepare physicians to care for patients and In 2005, PNWU-COM, a private, non-profit medical communities throughout the fi ve states. school in Yakima was founded with a Recruit-EducateUpon completing a three-term Foundations Phase Return philosophy; the program was to recruit in their home state university (in Washington state, students from rural or medically underserved locations University of Washington or Gonzaga University;

University of Wyoming; University of AlaskaAnchorage; Montana State University; and University of Idaho), a 12-month Patient Care Phase, and a 15-month Career Explore and Focus Phase, students complete clinical rotations within the ﬁve-state region to learn and experience a rich array of medical care experiences in a variety of settings. uwmedicine.org/ education/md-program/wwami WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Named after Washington State University’s late president, Dr. Elson S. Floyd, the WSU College of Medicine seeks applicants with ties to Washington who have the passion to improve the health of our communities, with a strong focus on underserved populations in challenging health care environments. This year, the college has secured 63 afﬁliation agreements with clinical partners across the state, with 24 of them in rural communities. The curriculum supports student-centered learning to accommodate individuals’ strengths and weaknesses and provides inter-professional training to match medical students with nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals—a proven approach shown to foster doctors' respect for their colleagues and willingness to collaborate for improved patient care. medicine.wsu.edu/

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Community College Roundup By Sarah Bain / Marketing Correspondent

Clover Park Technical College Columbia Basin College Edmonds Community College Everett Community College North Idaho College Grays Harbor College North Idaho College is a community Green River College college located in Coeur d’Alene with approximately 6,000 students that follow Highline College Lake Washington Institute of a semester system. The school was founded in 1933 with its current campus Technology Lower Columbia College built in 1939. NIC focuses on academic North Seattle College transfer students as well as offering Olympic College many career and technical programs. Peninsula College www.nic.edu Pierce College Fort Steilacoom Total students: Close to 7,000 credit Pierce College Puyallup students Renton Technical College Tuition: $1,698 for 12 credits (full-time) Seattle Central College residents and $4,329 for 12 credits out Shoreline Community College of state. Different pricing is available for Skagit Valley College Washington residents and in-state, out of South Puget Sound Community College district residents. South Seattle College Overview of programs/divisions: Tacoma Community College Top programs include general studies, Walla Walla Community College nursing, business, and computer Wenatchee Valley College science related programs. One unique Whatcom Community College program is its Aerospace Technology Yakima Valley College advanced manufacturing classes that Other community and technical allow students to enter a variety of entry colleges in Idaho: level employment opportunities in the College of Western Idaho aerospace industry. It also offers an College of Southern Idaho entrepreneurship program for students looking to start their own businesses. Community colleges can be an important part of an area’s educational offerings.

Upcoming dates for enrollment: Application deadline for Spring Semester 2019 is Dec. 13, 2018. North Idaho College has an opendoor admissions policy in order to meet the needs of various students. Some areas of study require testing or other admissions requirements to enter the program. Other community and technical colleges in Washington: Bates Technical College Bellevue College Bellingham Technical College Big Bend Community College Cascadia College Centralia College Clark College

Spokane Community College

Spokane Falls Community College

Location in northeast Spokane and is known for its focus on career and technical programs that place graduates into a variety of career paths. With more than 120 programs including transfer degrees that get you ready for the university experience elsewhere, SCC is a useful option for those who want to attend classes on campus or online. scc.spokane.edu Total students: 22,150 (2016-2017) Tuition: $3,852 for full-time residential tuition annually Programs/divisions: The top five degrees at SCC are Automotive Technology, Criminal Justice, Diesel/ Heavy Duty Equipment, Nursing and Business. In addition, the top five certificates available from SCC include Line Construction, Welding and Fabrication, Dental Assisting, Aviation Maintenance Technology and Medical Assistant Certificate. Upcoming enrollment deadlines: Winter Quarter 2019 Nov. 16, 2018 Spring Quarter 2019 Feb. 15, 2019

Located in northwest Spokane and provides more than 8,000 students with the resources for an associate degree or ability to transfer to a four-year college. It also offers additional locations in Pullman and at Fairchild Air Force Base as well as online courses. sfcc.spokane.edu

Spokane Community College has an “open door” admissions policy and accepts anyone who has a high school diploma or equivalency.

Total students: 8,597 (2016-2017) Tuition: $3,852 per year for full time residential tuition Programs/divisions: Spokane Falls Community College has more than 70 areas of study including Liberal Arts and Sciences, Business Management, General Studies and Humanities, Health Professions and more. With a strong visual and performing arts center, students can study drama, photography, graphic design, music and ﬁne arts as well. Upcoming deadlines: Winter Quarter 2019 Nov. 16, 2018 Spring Quarter 2019 Feb. 15, 2019 Spokane Falls Community College administers placement testing in English and math to determine which classes a student should take though students who have graduated from high school in the last three years may be able to bypass the advancement testing.

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Professional Technical programs offer alternatives to four-year degrees By Linda Ball / Marketing Correspondent

For some students, a degree that takes four years or longer isn’t appealing. How about a year or so for professional-technical occupations or trades which often lead to quick job placement? Spokane Community College. In three semesters, or 63 credits, you can earn a certificate as an electrical trainee, which could launch a career as an electrical apprentice. Many programs are STEM-related (science, technology, engineering and math) such as the associate in nursing which gives 135 credits required for transfer into the nursing program. If you love planes, how about aviation maintenance technology? Learn to inspect, service and repair airplanes and helicopters. Grads can take the FAA exam for licensure in airframes and power plants, and be prepared for jobs with airlines, manufacturers or other aviation-related businesses. SCC also offers two-year certificate programs in automotive technology and automotive refinishing technology. Another popular course at SCC is the three-quarter welding and fabrication certificate program. Training

includes practice with overhead cranes, grinders, power saws, ironworker tools, cold saws, drill presses and other equipment. SCC’s cosmetology program provides training for the state-licensing exam. During the over 1,600 hours you will learn current techniques in cutting and trimming hair, facial hair shaping, chemical relaxing, permanent waving, hair coloring, hair extensions and basic skin care plus manicuring/pedicuring. Safety and sanitation are stressed. Or, try SCC’s two-year culinary arts program which covers various cooking methods plus food cost control, sanitation, kitchen planning, kitchen equipment and personnel policies. Hone your skills in SCC’s restaurant, Orlando’s. Upon completion you become an ACF Certified Culinarian. North Idaho College also has a culinary program that operates a restaurant called Emery’s, and NICularts Deli. The program’s first year focuses on actual cooking and is a certificate program. The second year delves into budgeting, payroll, purchasing, cost

control, nutrition, advanced culinary skills and baking for an associate’s degree North Idaho College also offers trades via its Workforce Training Center. Interested in learning or enhancing your carpentry skills? NIC’s 10-month carpentry and construction technology program provides skills necessary to become a carpenter. Keri Simonet at the Workforce Training Center said a new dental assistant program ﬁlled up fast. The eight-week CNA (certiﬁed nursing assistant) program has several students enrolled, as does phlebotomy. Apprenticeship programs through NIC’s Workforce Training Center are electrical, HVAC and plumbing. Classes are evening or weekends, with electrical apprentices attending class weekly, whereas HVAC and plumbing meet monthly. Students must complete 144 hours of class time, and 2,000 hours a year of work in order to test for their journeyman’s license. The Workforce Training Center includes a CDL course (commercial driver’s license) but with a need for truck drivers.

Make your New Year’s resolution a high-wage job! Enroll by December 12.

scc.spokane.edu/january

sfcc.spokane.edu/january

Community Colleges of Spokane provides equal opportunity in education and employment. J

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Saving for School: Budgeting Basics for the college-bound By Staci Lehman / Marketing Correspondent

Worried about paying for college, or the other expenses that come with it? Even if you have already applied for scholarships and loans, there are a lot of other costs many don’t plan for, or worse, won’t ask advice about. “I think the No. 1 hurdle that we’ve got in saving for college is that people are just not comfortable talking about money,” said Samantha Armstrong, director for Budget and Administration Services in Student Affairs at Eastern Washington University. Armstrong ﬁnds that, for most students, the biggest challenge is being able to pay for college and still attend social activities that others are doing. “It’s a little U.S., ‘keeping up with the Jones’,” said Armstrong. “Students don’t even necessarily talk to one another about any tips and tricks they’ve done (that help save money), what apps they are using or what the cheap activities are.” Because of this, most Washington colleges, including EWU, have extensive ﬁnancial literacy programs to help students be successful in not only managing money, but also maximizing any funds they receive from scholarships and other sources. State lawmakers have also recognized the need for this.

“Legislation came out from the

state saying schools need to do more in the realm of ﬁnancial education, Armstrong said.

”

As a result, EWU approaches teaching ﬁnancial literacy from many angles, and facilitated by many departments. Multiple departments like Health and Wellness, Housing and Residential, Admissions and Career Services all distribute information on the topic as they interact with students, which helps reach as many people as possible. For incoming students, EWU started a new program this year called EagleFam. “It’s a college 101 bootcamp,” said Armstrong, which covers multiple topics on what to expect the ﬁrst year. Her department presents a module at the “camp” on common money mistakes. She says the top mistake many of us commit, whether in college or well established in a career, is not realizing how fast little spending can turn into big money

“If you do a coffee every day it doesn’t feel horrible to lay down your $4 every day at the time but it adds up,” she said. Pop-up workshops at freshman residence halls also help demonstrate the value of a dollar. “Every month we would do One Minute Clinics with the residents as they walked in and out, teaching them mostly about budgeting,” wrote Sarah Ullman, EWU’s Student Accounting Student Coordinator. “Students learned how to effectively balance their money with budgeting sheets, learn how much coffee costs after a years’ worth, and also how to grocery shop on a healthy budget and diet.” The good news is that there are ways to enjoy your coffee- and other treats- and not feel guilty about it, starting with student discounts at some local businesses. “What are some of the student discounts in the community, we’ve compiled those. You’d be surprised how many there are,” Armstrong said. “What are cheap friend and date ideas, we’ve got those too.” Popular websites and apps like GroupOn, Hooked and Pocket Points also offer discounts at restaurants and other businesses. If you enjoy the bar scene occasionally, apps like Happy Hours, UConnection and Party Tutor can help you ﬁnd drink or food specials. A tip though: if you do go out, leave your credit card and ATM card at home and take cash. This ensures you will only spend as much as you can afford.

When it comes to school supplies, use websites like Chegg.com to rent and buy books cheaper than you can at most school bookstores. If living off campus is an option, it may be cheaper to rent an apartment or share a house with friends. In big cities, it is generally cheaper to live in a dorm but in smaller college towns you can cut costs by finding an affordable rental or rooming with other students. Cable TV is known for being a budget killer. Fortune Magazine says the average cable bill is $103 a month. Drop the cable company and pay $10 a month for Netflix or choose another alternative to cable such as DirecTV, PlayStation Vue or SlingTV, all of which cost closer to $40 a month. If you need other ideas, or motivation, on saving money and budgeting there are many apps that help with an overall budget. Armstrong says she has a student who uses Mint, and LearnVest and Slice are other options. Most colleges also offer programs and resources in their financial centers to help you set, and stick to, a budget. Armstrong and her staff are also working on developing an online platform, either a website or app, with all kinds of materials and resources on budgeting, saving money and getting scholarships. Until that becomes available, EWU and other colleges and universities also have one-on-one options. “Staff from the Financial Aid and Scholarships department are always available to sit down for counseling appointments,” said Armstrong.

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Foster youth opportunities By Sarah Bain / Marketing Correspondent

Foster youth have some of the most difficult hurdles to overcome in order to attend college. But with perseverance and great services in Washington, many can not only go to college debt free, but they can also attend with strong community support, so long as they know where to find this support. College Success Foundation (CSF) is a statewide organization that helps low-income, under-served students finish high school and enter college with all the tools of success they need. They work with a number of foster youth to help navigate a complex support system. Susan Nielsen is the Regional Executive Director of College Success Foundation for Spokane and Eastern Washington. She and the CSF staff work with foster care youth to offer academic and financial services for college.

“We have a really robust

foster youth Pathway to College program on a statewide level that provides students with the tools to succeed,” said Nielsen. With an ambitious goal to help youth in the foster care system graduate from high school at the same rate as other students in Washington, the nonproﬁt organization Treehouse partners with organizations such as CSF to further help those students succeed. It’s an uphill battle for youth in the Spokane foster system if they are hoping to go to college. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, the dropout rates for foster youth are three times higher than other lowincome students. Only about 50 percent graduate from high school. Ernest Henderson is the Treehouse regional manager for Eastern Washington and works to place educational specialists to meet once a

week with youth in high school as they progress toward the end of their high school career. They work with students on goal-setting and help make sure they stay on track to graduate. Sometimes it takes a team of support to keep kids on that track. “Organizations like Treehouse and College Success Foundation work together in order to provide foster youth with the tools they need,” Henderson explains. According to Nielsen, about 3 percent of foster care youth graduate from college, a number he is passionate about changing. Fred Kingston is the CSF Program Manager for Statewide Initiatives. As a former teacher, he knows as well as anyone the struggles that foster care youth face and how complicated navigating the system can be. “I’m still learning a lot because the world of higher education is just so complex, and ﬁnancial aid is so complicated,” said Kingston, which is why he’s working so hard to help these youth get access to college. At CSF there are three programs to support foster care students. The Make It Happen program is a summer campus experience for foster youth. They make it a point to have foster care high school students get on a college campus in order to make them feel like it’s possible for them to attend college. “We work with kids all over the state and in 2019 it will be our 15th year of offering this program,” Kingston explained. “We believe it is the longest

running program for foster students in the country.” In the summer of 2018, the Make it Happen program served about 100 students statewide, nearly 20 of whom were from Spokane. While it has been a three-four day immersive program, CSF is structuring it a bit differently for this upcoming year to be able to expand the program to multiple locations around the state in order to serve more youth. The Governor’s Scholarship for Foster Youth offers up 30 to 40 scholarships per year to foster youth. These scholarships pay for their two or fouryear college, and provide a CSF advisor to support them through their college journey. The state-funded Passport to Careers program pairs ﬁnancial aid with support services. Kingston explained that this is one of the most unique programs in the country. The state gives each college $1,500 per year per foster student to

create a support fund that students have access to for discretionary needs. The Washington Student Achievement Council administers the program and CSF helps with the implementation. Both Treehouse and CSF also engage students in eighth and ninth grade, focusing on early engagement so that they can get connected to the services they need. “The more people who know that these services exist the more the students will have good information and access to the information,” Kingston said. Henderson says these programs are absolutely working. “One of the things we are trying to do is coordinate and collaborate so we can have warm handoffs to other organizations,” Henderson said.“We try to serve every child in foster care and set them up for success.”

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Idaho colleges & UNIVERSITIES Higher education institutions in Idaho are inviting students to think about the enrollment process years before they have to. At Next Steps Idaho, a school resource page, prospective students and their families can see a variety of information and strategies, including recommendations on what they could be doing in middle school and high school in order to have an optimal enrollment experience when this process starts. This goes beyond doing well on standardized tests and performing well in core classes. It also can include getting involved in clubs, participating in sports and performing community service. Idaho schools are excited to work with resident students especially. Seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA will automatically receive acceptance to Idaho public universities. Seniors with lower rankings will receive automatic acceptance to two-year or certiﬁcate programs. In-state students also have the ability to apply for multiple Idaho colleges and universities with one application, rather than separate forms and separate fees for each school. For those considering studying in the Gem State, visit https://nextsteps.idaho.gov for info about how to get started and ﬁgure out a course of action. Or get information about these public four-year institutions.

University of Idaho, Moscow www.uidaho.edu Enrollment (2017): 12,072 Tuition: $7,864 resident, $25,500 non-resident (2018-2019) Founded in 1889, the university is a land-grant institution dedicated to research, education and extension services. It offers 96 undergraduate majors, 62 master’s programs and 31 doctoral programs. There’s 14-1 student to faculty ratio, and 75 percent of undergraduates conduct research projects. The school’s main location is Moscow but there are also centers in Coeur d’Alene, Boise, and Idaho Falls plus a research center in Twin Falls. UI Extension ofﬁces are in 42 counties. The Moscow location, on the Palouse, offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, rafting and mountain biking. UI also recently received an impressive award from Money magazine: being listed on the 2018 Best Colleges list as the top-ranking school in Idaho.

Boise State University www.boisestate.edu/ Enrollment: (2017-18) 24,154 Tuition $7,326/year for undergraduate, $22,642/year non-resident. Graduate $8,754/year resident, $24,070/ year non-resident. Founded in 1932 by the Episcopal Church, BSU became an independent institution in Boise in 1934. It offers 200 programs of study, including baccalaureate programs, master’s degrees and graduate certiﬁcates and 11 doctoral programs. It’s considered the largest graduate program in Idaho, and offers a good blend of a small-campus feel with big-city touches. Unique programs include astronaut training and raptor biology. The 175-acre campus offers a wide variety of recreation opportunities including skiing at Bogus Basin, hiking, and rafting. Satellite campuses at Mountain Home Air Force Base and in Twin Falls provide additional education opportunities. Important dates: Fall/summer non-resident priority application Dec. 15, resident priority application Feb. 15, standard application May 15.

Idaho State University www.isu.edu/ Enrollment: 12,643 Tuition (2018-19): $7,420/year for undergraduate resident, $22,940/year non-resident. Idaho State offers 250 programs, from associate to bachelor to master to doctorate to various certiﬁcates. The school was founded in 1901 and offers a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. The school is based in Pocatello but also offers satellite campuses in Idaho Falls, Twin Falls and Meridian. Students and staff have easy access to scenic areas including Bear Lake, Craters of the Moon, Lava Hot Springs, and Yellowstone National Park. The school offers a variety of research opportunities and works closely with the nearby Idaho National Laboratory and other Idaho universities. It also has established the Center for Advanced Energy Studies, Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston www.lcsc.edu Enrollment: 3,746 Tuition (2018-19) $6,618/year resident or $19,236/year non-resident (Discounts available for Asotin County residents). The college began in 1893 as a college of education and now offers about 130 degree and certiﬁcate programs in seven divisions, with emphasis on

education, nursing and criminal justice. There are also 372 online courses and nine online degrees. The school is based in Lewiston but also includes a Coeur d’Alene campus. There are also a variety of community college and technical schools and programs in Idaho that provide associate’s degree and technical certiﬁcates, including North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, College of Western Idaho in Boise, College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls and Eastern Idaho Technical College in Idaho Falls.

HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

lcsc.edu | 208-792-2210 LCSC BY THE NUMBERS #1 lowest tuition in Idaho among public four-year institutions. 81% of students receive some form of ﬁnancial aid. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as #5 in the West. Ranked #1 school for non-traditional students. (Best College Reviews) 13:1, 8:1 student-to-teacher ratios for academic, CTE programs. 130+ degrees and certiﬁcate programs and many fully online. Academic, CTE program graduates have 94%, 97% placement rates. Ranked by The Economist as #2 in Idaho for economic value.

Pursue a BETTER DEGREE, at a BETTER PRICE, at a small, friendly campus that has proudly served students for over 125 years. A Better Way. #TheWarrior Way.

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HIGHER ED is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Sunday, November 11, 2018

Degrees that take you places

Future geologists accompany resident rockhound Chad Pritchard, PhD, on a class trip to examine the Odessa Craters, a geological formation created 15,000 years ago by the Lake Missoula Floods which helped shape our unique region.

Welcome to the New Think We’re hard workers. We accept challenges. We’re determined to succeed and we like to have fun. That’s what makes us Eagles.

New inderdisciplinary science building arrives on the Cheney campus in 2020

Learn why every year thousands of students choose EWU as their home. ewu.edu/newthink $7,323 * Visit ewu.edu/value for tuition ﬁgures and WA state comparisons

$10,024*

total in-state tuition and fees at EWU avg. tuition and fees at other WA public universities