Emma Cottle is a 2019 Central Washington University graduate with a major in elementary education and minor/certificate in accessibility studies. Following graduation, she accepted and has taught Kindergarten in the Puyallup School District. She is currently wrapping up her second year of teaching. Her focus in the classroom is to create a safe space by offering students and their families an interdisciplinary approach of accommodation and individualization to ensure each student will thrive, and to foster a love of life-long learning. She practices being a lifelong learner herself, by continuing her education to receive her masters in early childhood education through Eastern Washington University.

Trevor Richards was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1987 but moved to Omaha, NE at the age of 10. The adjustment was not easy, and it left its mark but Trevor's family was grateful and grabbed the opportunity to live in America with both hands.

As a student at the University of Nebraska, Trevor studied Business Administration and History. He was also a Collegiate All-American rugby player and was fortunate enough to represent the USA in 7s rugby in Fiji. Unfortunately, Trevor had to call it quits on his playing career after too many injuries and he instead focused on coaching, traveling, and working just about any job he could so that he could keep pursuing my passions of coaching and traveling.

Trevor's coaching career has taken him all over the country and even abroad and it has allowed him to work with every age group from preschool through to senior national team level. He has been fortunate to work for multiple private rugby companies, local club teams, universities, and even the Bermudan National Team. In 2016, Trevor was hired on as the Graduate Assistant Coach for the CWU Men’s Rugby. The next year he was asked to be the Interim Head Coach for the Women’s Rugby Team and at the end of that academic year, he was hired on as the Head Coach, which brings us to today.

When Trevor wasn’t coaching, he was traveling. This love of travel started early but flourished after studying and playing rugby in Australia. After college, Trevor took a quintessential 9-week backpacking trip through Europe and Morocco that really opened his eyes to what was possible. After another couple of years of working and coaching, he embarked on my most epic and life-changing trip to date; 8 months riding a motorcycle through South America. The informal education that he received from this adventure was invaluable and it helped shift my perspective in more ways than one. In his limited free time, Trevor loves being in the great outdoors and enjoying the majesty of the PNW.

Roziie Cardenas (She/Her/Hers) is a CWU alumni and was part of the 2020 graduating class. Currently, Roziie is working for a nonprofit organization called Neighborhood House- Project SCOPE as a Youth Advocate II which is located in King County. Usually if is she not out in the community connecting with youth, families, and networking she is keeping up with the latest trends and Netflix series. When speaking with Roziie during this interview she touched on many inspiring experiences that she was able to gain from Central and apply them to her work now. She is especially great full for her connection at the DEC, STAR, and former colleagues and peer! It was a pleasure speaking with her and lovely to reconnect!

Sara Omrani is a student at CWU and a political organizer for Ellensburg Calls to Action. As the child of a political refugee she feels passionately about advocating for social justice and being critical of oppressive and violent imperialistic government administrations.

Episode 4 is themed around communication and conflict resolution and will feature ASCWU Vice President Brandon Wears-Grimm. Brandon (he/him/his) started his journey at Central Washington University in the winter of 2018 when he transferred from the University of Washington as a 1st year. Brandon found a true home at Central and made many friends. His support system even helped lead him to his most current adventure: serving the students as their ASCWU Executive Vice President. When Brandon is not working on projects or doing school work, He likes to spend his free time with loved ones, learning about leadership, exercising, or watching anime. Brandon loves connecting with and learning about others. Please feel free to reach out to him at any time.

Michael Middleton vehemently believes in the power of the club experience in a collegiate format, "Some of my closest friends and fondest memories from Undergrad came out of my involvement in student clubs. It is what led me to this career path." Michael received a bachelor’s degree in psychology with two minors in biology and neuroscience in 2016. He then went on to complete a M.Ed. in 2018 both from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Michael was involved with numerous University of Mary Washington performance and dance based clubs. Most notably UMW Breakers, a breaking and hip hop culture club, where he served as Club President for two years. In his free time Michael continues to enjoy breaking, learning the drums, physical training, and art.

About Nathaniel McMillion: Since becoming student trustee of Central Washington University of July 1, 2020, Nathaniel McMillion has fully committed to bringing forth equitable experiences to all the students in all of our campuses across this state. During his undergraduate years, McMillion has worked with multiple Equity and Service Counsel organizations such as CASA and Polycentral, served as president for the Black Student Union, and has worked in the Diversity and Equity Center since his sophomore year. McMillion came to CWU after working at Verizon Wireless in Kent. He started as a sales representative but was later promoted to assistant manager right before coming to Central. McMillion is majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Africana Black Studies. His interest in Public Relations stems from his previous experiences serving as a youth pastor and making connections with people of all ages and ethnicities. McMillion was born in Tacoma, Washington and remained there until he graduated from Bethel High School in 2011. After receiving his diploma, McMillion moved to Kent in pursuit of a career interest that later led him rediscovering his love for Public Relations and then applying to Central.

About Tiu Ramsey Fruean: Talofa! Tiu Ramsey Fruean (He, Him, His), is from Lakewood, WA, and currently living in Federal Way, WA. He is serving as a college and career coach for College Success AmeriCorps and serving a year term; He is a recent graduate of Central Washington University class of 2020.with a B.S in social services and currently working on his M.Ed. (Masters) in higher education at CWU. He inspires to be a Director or Dean in the student success aspect serving BIPOC students while uplifting his community.

Season 3, Episode 1 kicks off with Dr. Shawnté who is the Associate Dean of Health and Wellness at Central Washington University. Her portfolio includes supervision of Disability Services, Counseling Services, Student Health, University Recreation and the Wellness Center. She also provides co-support to the Case Management department, and Co-Chairs the C.A.R.E. Team on campus. She is a graduate of East Carolina University with a BS in Health Education and Promotion with a concentration in Worksite Health. She received her MA degree in Wellness from Chatham University and completed her Ed.D. from St. Thomas University in Educational Leadership and Management. Shawnté is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist and Certified Health & Wellness Coach. At East Carolina University-Student Health Services she held the Health Educator position for over five and a half years. While at East Carolina, she also served as the Assistant Director of Greek Life for the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council. After East Carolina, she was employed at UNC Charlotte, Center for Wellness Promotion, where she was the Health Educator for Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs and General Health. After Charlotte, she worked at IUPUI as the inaugural Director of Health and Wellness Promotion. In addition, Shawnté had a faculty appointment with the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the School of Liberal Arts. For over 10 years she has served as a site supervisor for graduate and undergraduate Interns, co-advised Peer Education groups, and undergraduate chapters of her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta. She has served as an Adjunct Instructor teaching Peer Health, and Health and Wellness courses. She is active in American College Health Association, where she sits on the Board of Directors and NASPA, in which she serves as the Co-Chair for the Wellness and Health Promotion Knowledge Community. Shawnté has a tremendous passion for helping others achieve their goals and serves as a mentor and coach for many within higher education. Shawnté believes in professional development and mentoring, especially for underrepresented populations, as evident in her own personal successes, in part to mentorship she received. Her love for college health centers on health equity, social justice, health literacy, mentorship and access. She sits on the Board of Directors for American College Health Association. In NASPA, serves as the Co-Chair for the Wellness and Health Promotion Knowledge Community and on the Peer Education Advisory Board.

Season 3, Episode 1 (Part 1 and Part 2) kicks off with Dr. Shawnté who is the Associate Dean of Health and Wellness at Central Washington University. Her portfolio includes supervision of Disability Services, Counseling Services, Student Health, University Recreation and the Wellness Center. She also provides co-support to the Case Management department, and Co-Chairs the C.A.R.E. Team on campus. She is a graduate of East Carolina University with a BS in Health Education and Promotion with a concentration in Worksite Health. She received her MA degree in Wellness from Chatham University and completed her Ed.D. from St. Thomas University in Educational Leadership and Management. Shawnté is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist and Certified Health & Wellness Coach. At East Carolina University-Student Health Services she held the Health Educator position for over five and a half years. While at East Carolina, she also served as the Assistant Director of Greek Life for the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council. After East Carolina, she was employed at UNC Charlotte, Center for Wellness Promotion, where she was the Health Educator for Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs and General Health. After Charlotte, she worked at IUPUI as the inaugural Director of Health and Wellness Promotion. In addition, Shawnté had a faculty appointment with the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the School of Liberal Arts. For over 10 years she has served as a site supervisor for graduate and undergraduate Interns, co-advised Peer Education groups, and undergraduate chapters of her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta. She has served as an Adjunct Instructor teaching Peer Health, and Health and Wellness courses. She is active in American College Health Association, where she sits on the Board of Directors and NASPA, in which she serves as the Co-Chair for the Wellness and Health Promotion Knowledge Community. Shawnté has a tremendous passion for helping others achieve their goals and serves as a mentor and coach for many within higher education. Shawnté believes in professional development and mentoring, especially for underrepresented populations, as evident in her own personal successes, in part to mentorship she received. Her love for college health centers on health equity, social justice, health literacy, mentorship and access. She sits on the Board of Directors for American College Health Association. In NASPA, serves as the Co-Chair for the Wellness and Health Promotion Knowledge Community and on the Peer Education Advisory Board.

The final episode of season two feathers Teresa I. Francis, J.D., LL.M. (aka Divine). Divine is an Associate Professor at Central Washington University in the Department of Law and Justice. She was born and raised in the Bronx. As a young person, she waited in the hallways of New York City night court awaiting her mother’s arraignment. At eighteen, she fought in family court to win custody of my younger siblings. 

Divine’s past family issues permitted her to share her first-hand vivid stories about urban life with students and the community. Her life experiences have dedicated to the success of students of color. She served as the BSU advisor from 2005-2019. She was responsible for the first Black Graduation in 2006. She organized the 2020 Teach IN/OUT in response to the BLM protest and uprising around the country after the death of George Floyd.