Jennifer Prouse

Jennifer Prouse

Board Member

The first time Jennifer Prouse drove to WSU, she was struck by the miles and miles of wheat fields that make up Eastern Washington. Just when she thought the fields would never end, Pullman and WSU suddenly appeared on the horizon.

“It’s the small-town atmosphere in what feels like the middle of nowhere, that makes Pullman and WSU such a special place,” she said.” “You don’t have the distractions of a big city. It’s all about the special relationships you build with people and enjoying college life.”

Jennifer transferred to WSU with her then boyfriend, now husband, Rich. Both were students at Clark College in Vancouver, Wash., and became die-hard Cougars. Jennifer graduated in 1995, Rich a year later.

Jennifer’s degree in food science and human nutrition set her up well for a long career as a dietitian in the Vancouver area. She works in an outpatient clinic for Peace Health, where she is a certified diabetes educator.

Now that her two children are older — a son in high school and a daughter, Lily, a junior at WSU — Jennifer has more time for volunteer work. She welcomed the opportunity to serve on the CougParents Advisory Board.

“What I like the most about our meetings is that I learn so much about what is happening at WSU,” she said. “This allows me to pass along helpful information to other parents and even Lily.”

As part of the board, Jennifer also enjoyed reviewing applications from student organizations seeking CougParent funding for their activities.

“It made me reflect on when I was a student and my roommate and I were co-presidents of the student nutrition awareness club,” she said. “I’m not sure if CougParents funding existed back then, but it sure would have helped our club.”