The voluntary CougParents Advisory Board is composed of 10-12 current and former family members/supporters of WSU undergraduate students, recent WSU alumni, and current WSU students, across all WSU campuses. Meet the current advisory board members.

Board members serve a number of important functions:

  • Serve as ambassadors for WSU with a vested interest in supporting the success of WSU students
  • Serve as a formal link and resource for all WSU families/supporters
  • Engage with other WSU families/supporters and back affinity-building initiatives on behalf of Student Affairs and WSU
  • Represent the parental/familial perspective and provide valuable feedback to enhance the university experience for both students and families
  • Review student grant proposals annually and select student award recipients for CougParents Program funding
  • Assist in fundraising and alumni relations efforts in support of the CougParents Program
  • Share special WSU experiences with their student(s)

Join the Board

Thank you for your interest in the CougParents Advisory Board! We are always looking for new advisory board members to join our team. Each CougParents Advisory Board member commits to a two-year term. We are currently seeking CougParents board members to represent each of the following classes:

  • Family member/guardian/supporter of a first-year student
  • Family member/guardian/supporter of a sophomore student
  • Family member/guardian/supporter of a junior student
  • Recent alumni representative: Must be a recent WSU graduate, class of 2017-2022

Application

Please complete the CougParents Advisory Board Application if you would like to be considered for the board. The application is always open. Applications will be reviewed on an annual basis between October and November. Advisory board selection will be made in December and new members will begin in January.

Advisory Board Information

  • Board Member Benefits
    • Engage and connect with other WSU family members and serve as advocates for the WSU student experience.
    • Provide support and assistance to WSU students and engage closely with their students’ WSU experience.
    • Provide valuable insight and guidance on how to enhance the WSU student experience outside of the classroom.
    • Get to know top university administrators and learn more about WSU programs and services offered to WSU students and families.
  • Board Member Duties and Expectations

    Advisory board members are expected to:

    • Become familiar with current campus activities, resources, and services to advocate for the university.
    • Attend advisory meetings three times a year, held in conjunction with fall and spring Family Weekend events and one additional meeting in the summer months.  Meeting dates are announced well in advance. The meetings held during Fall and Spring Family Weekends at WSU Pullman are typically on Friday mornings and are offered in person and virtually. The meeting held in the summer will be hosted virtually and may also feature other WSU campus locations. 
    • Serve as a regional representative within their community, promoting WSU and acting as a contact person for first-year families.
    • Provide feedback on CougParents Fund-related issues and general WSU parent engagement strategies.
    • Assist with the recruitment of prospective CougParents Advisory Board members.

    Advisory board members are asked to invest financially, at any level they are able, in support of the Parents Programs at WSU. There are no set expectations for amounts.

  • Advisory Board Length of Term

    Each board member must commit to a term of two years, unless the member’s student graduates or is no longer enrolled at WSU before the academic year/term ends. Members who wish to serve additional terms may submit a new CougParents Advisory Board Application form and will be reviewed based on participation criteria. 

    A member can voluntarily withdraw from the advisory board at any time by submitting a written resignation. Likewise, advisory board members can be dismissed at any time by not abiding by or fulfilling the following: 

  • Advisory Board Structure

    CougParents Program Coordinator

    Kari Sampson

    Emeritus Members

    • Greg Adams, 1998-2001
      Warren Anderson, III, 1988
      David Andrew, 2000-2004 (Past President)
      Jane Andrew, 1998-2000
      Lesa Burton-Cornell, 2011
      Perri Bernard, 2008
      Laurel Caraher, 1998-2001
      Linda Chalich, 2000-2001 (Past President)
      Margaret Crane, 1988
      Catherine Evans, 2002
      Annalee Falk (2015-2021)
    • Karen Fischer, 2009
      Carl Foster, 2008-2012
      Dan Foster, 2011
      Rich Gustafson, 1987-1991 (Past President & Vice President)
      Brigid Graham, 2000-2001
      Debra Gottschalk, 2013-2014
      Warren Harber, 2013-2015
      Robert Hayward, 1981
      Marian Hood, 1988-1992 (Past President & Vice President)
      Carole Jo Jones, 1981
      Loretta Kase, 1988
      Dave Lavender, 1989-1993 (Past President & Vice President)
      Jack Lewis, Sr., 1988
      June Lighty, 1981
      Darlene Lust, 1981-1984 (Past President)
      Jon Magnusson, 2008-2012
      Dale Massie, 1988-1989 (Past President)
      John Meersman, 2008-2012 (Past Chair)
      Betty McWilliams, 1988
      James Miller, 1992-1993 (Past Vice President)
      Mary Morgan, 1982-1986 (Past President & Vice President)
      Patricia Nelson, 2008-2012
      Edward O’Brien, 1981
      Dedra Osborn, 1994-1996 (Past President & Vice President)
      Clifford Phibbs, 1981
      James Phillips, Jr., 1994-1996 (Past Vice President)
      Karen Pratt, 1987-1990 (Past President & Vice President)
      Coleen Quisenberry, 2009-2013
      Ann Rolffs, 1988
      Carrie Sakaino, 2013-2019
      Michiel Salmon, 2011-2015
      Allen Shuler, 1983-1987 (Past President)
      John Sousley, 1991-1995 (Past President & Vice President)
      Sandy Thomas, 2011-2014
      Thomas Thompson, 2001 (Past President & Chair)
      Becky Weis, 2008-2012
      Peggy Wiggum, 2011-2014