WSU VANCOUVER

As the second largest campus in the WSU system, WSU Vancouver offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. Now enrolling more than 2,500 students, WSU Vancouver provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver helps drive economic growth through relationships with regional businesses and industries, schools, and nonprofit organizations. Areas of research focus include sustainable water, brain health, and smart devices. WSU Vancouver also serves as a clinical campus for the Elson. S. Floyd College of Medicine. Ninety-two percent of WSU Vancouver alumni remain in the region after graduation to live, work, and contribute to their communities.

Meet our Campus Chancellor:

SANDRA HAYNES

Interim Chancellor of WSU Vancouver

Doctor Sandra Haynes is the 7th Chancellor of Washington State University Tri-Cities and, as of April 2025, also serves as the Interim Chancellor of WSU Vancouver. She brings more than 20 years of successful, high-level administrative experience, stemming from leadership at both a doctoral granting university with very high research activities (R1) and a regional comprehensive institution offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Dr. Haynes holds a faculty appointment as professor in the Department of Psychology. As a first-generation student, she recognizes the transformative power of higher education and its ability to be a true equalizer for individuals, regardless of life circumstance. Doctor Haynes maintains a clear focus on excellence in academics, exceptional student support, and service to the community and industry, which in turn enhances diversity, equity, and inclusion. She uses innovative, data-driven strategies to best fulfill the campus’ land-grant mission to serve regional industry needs through excellent education, research, and service. Doctor Haynes is a licensed psychologist with a doctorate and master’s degree in experimental neuropsychology from Colorado State University.

Campus Profile

Established: 1989
Interim Chancellor: Sandra Haynes

Student Profile, Fall 2024

Total enrollment: 2,700
Undergraduate: 2,394
Graduate: 202
Professional: 104
Students of color: 35.2%
International: 1.5%
Women: 53.0%
First generation: 38.9%

Campus Resources:

Support WSU Vancouver Students: Donate to the WSU Vancouver Annual Fund
WSU Vancouver Campus Strategic Plan
WSU Vancouver Advisory Council Home Page

ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS:

PHOTO	MEMBER	BIOGRAPHY
	JENNIFER BAKER President Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC)	Jennifer Baker is president of the Columbia River Economic Development Council. She joined CREDC in 2019 after serving as the deputy district director for the Portland office of the U.S. Small Business Administration where she was recognized for her outstanding performance. She has served on the advisory board for the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs and the Women's Business Center at Mercy Corps Northwest. Her previous work in multiple business and trade fields included four years as an international trade specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce. Baker earned a Bachelor of Arts in international studies and modern languages from Pacific University and a Master of Arts in international policy, trade and development from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monteray.
	MIKE BOMAR Director of Economic Development Port of Vancouver	Mike Bomar was appointed Director of Economic Development in May 2018. His responsibilities include leading port economic development strategic planning; implementing appropriate initiatives and projects for the port district and Clark County; providing strategic leadership on transportation planning; seeking public and private partnership opportunities to achieve cargo growth and new industrial business, and; developing and maintaining strategic partnerships in the community.
	LAURIE DRAPELA Professor of Criminal Justice Washington State University Vancouver	Laurie A. Drapela is a Professor of Criminal Justice at Washington State University Vancouver. Her research explores the intersections of mental health, behavioral health, neurodiversity, and formal justice systems. She also researches offending desistance trajectories among youth. Her manuscripts have appeared in Justice Quarterly, Crime & Delinquency, The Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Deviant Behavior, Youth & Society, The Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, Justice Policy Journal, and The Social Science Journal. She co-authored Law and Neurodiversity: Youth with Autism and Juvenile Justice Systems in Canada and the United States, published by University of British Columbia Press (2020). She serves as an autism advocate in her local community of Vancouver, Washington, as a member of the editorial board of Spectrum Life magazine.
	KARIN EDWARDS President Clark College	Dr. Karin Edwards is President of Clark College. She is the college's first Black female president. She holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a master's degree in Education Administration both from the State University of New York at Albany. She also earned a doctorate in Education Leadership from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Edwards has over 35 years of experience in higher education administration. Dr. Edwards has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout her career.
	LINDSAY FISHER Vice President (Council Chair) Evergreen Memorial Gardens	Lindsay Fisher is vice president of Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver. She is a member of the 2015 class of Leadership Clark County and received the Vancouver Business Journal's Accomplished and Under 40 honor that same year. Fisher has received the Paul Harris award from the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County. She serves on the board of the Association of Washington Business and the Trauma Intervention Program Advisory Council. Fisher earned a bachelor's degree in business management and hospitality business management from WSU.
	STEPHEN HORENSTEIN Attorney Horenstein Law Group	Steve Horenstein is founder and managing member of Horenstein Law Group. Since 1995, he has been a committed supporter of WSU Vancouver, and his tremendous dedication was recognized in 2018 with the Chancellor's Award for Service. He serves on the executive committee of the Historic Trust and chairs the Public Affairs Committee and Investor Relations Committee of CREDC. Horenstein is a graduate of the Lewis & Clark Law School.
	KARISSA LOWE Program Manager Oregon Metro's Nature in Neighborhood Community Grants
	MARK MANTEI CEO The Vancouver Clinic	Mark Mantei, chief executive officer of The Vancouver Clinic has more than 30 years of public health service experience. He serves on the board of directors of the American Medical Group Association (AMGA), which includes more than 400 medical groups nationwide whose physicians care for one in three Americans. Mantei earned a master's degree in healthcare administration management and a bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting and finance from the University of Michigan.
	JULIANNA MARLER CEO Port of Vancouver	Julianna Marler, CEO of the Port of Vancouver USA, is the first female CEO in the port's 105-year history and one of just a handful of female port CEOs in the United States. Previously, she served as the port's chief financial officer. Before joining the port, she worked as procurement services manager for the City of Vancouver for nine years. Marler received the 2018 Women of Achievement Iris Award from Clark College and serves on the boards of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and Greater Portland Inc. Marler earned a degree in business administration from WSU.
	STEPHANIE MCCLINTOCK 18th Legislative District Representative Washington State Legislature	Stephanie is a State Representative for Washington’s 18th Legislative District, serving on the House Capital Budget, Consumer Protection & Business, and Education committees. From 2013 to 2017, she served on the Battle Ground School Board, where she advocated for increased parental involvement and greater access to technical and trade programs in high schools. She prioritizes public safety and supports funding law enforcement and upholding policing standards. Stephanie holds a B.A. in Business Management from Concordia University and works in public relations at United Grain Corporation. She lives in Vancouver, Washington, with her two sons and remains active in community education organizations.
	TIM MERLINO Superintendent Educational Service District 112	Tim Merlino became the superintendent and chief executive officer of Educational Service District 112 after serving as chief financial officer for 28 years. Since his appointment, ESD 112 has evolved into a $70 million-plus enterprise, with significant growth in early learning, school construction, STEM initiatives and innovative student support programs. Merlino serves on the board of the state's THRIVE Washington, is vice chair of the Washington School Information Processing Cooperative, and co-chairs the Southwest Washington STEM Network. He is a WSU graduate.
	JULIE OLSON Senior Sales Executive KEP Technologies, Inc.	In addition to more than 30 years in private industry specializing in scientific sales and management, Julie Olson has served 15 years in public service; seven years on the Clark County Council and eight years on the Ridgefield School Board. She is also president of the Northwest Wine & Food Society, which is dedicated to raising funds for scholarships, grants and educational opportunities for students in culinary arts, viticulture and fermentation sciences.
	LON PLUCKHAHN City Manager City of Vancouver	Lon Pluckhahn is the City Manager for the City of Vancouver, a post he has held since October of 2024. As the City’s Chief Executive Officer, he is responsible for the administration of all City affairs, including the City $2.1b biennial budget and the oversight of all City departments. Vancouver provides a wide array of services through more than a dozen departments, ranging from public safety with the Police and Fire departments to quality of life and economic growth initiatives. He directly oversees the City’s Public Safety and Legal portfolio, along with two Deputy City Managers. As the primary City liaison with the City Council, he is responsible for the implementation of Council policy and strategic direction.
	LISA KEOHOKALOLE SCHAUER President PointNorth, Inc	Lisa Keohokalole Schauer is president of PointNorth Consulting. She is passionate about inspiring leaders and empowering teams to achieve their business goals. A tireless community advocate, she serves as board chair for The Children's Center and is co-founder and board chair of the H-RoC nonpartisan political action committee. Her numerous awards and recognitions include the Iris Award from Clark College and the Women of Influence Award from Portland Business Journal. Schauer earned a master's degree in organizational leadership and learning from George Washington University, and bachelor's degrees in public relations and political science from Gonzaga University.
	JEFF SNELL Superintendent Vancouver Public Schools	Jeff Snell, superintendent of the Vancouver Public Schools, has more than 20 years of experience in education as a coach, math teacher, associate principal, principal, and deputy superintendent. He has been involved in leadership at the state, regional, and national level related to evaluation, professional growth, and technology. Snell received his bachelor of science in mathematics education from Boston University and his master of arts in educational leadership, and doctor of education from Washington State University.
	JASMINE TOLBERT Vice President, People and Culture YWCA Clark County	Jasmine Tolbert is a lifelong Clark County resident and proud VanCoug! She graduated from WSU Vancouver in 2017 with a B.A. in social sciences. She serves as HR director for YWCA Clark County and is a champion for racial equity in the community through her role as NAACP Vancouver president. Tolbert also serves on WSU Vancouver’s Equity Diversity Advisory Board.
	MEI WU-FERGUS Co-Founder and VP of Corporate Development Speak Technologies	Mei Wu, co-founder and vice president of corporate development at Speak Technologies, is a seasoned executive in the software industry. She is an advisor to start-ups and entrepreneurial ecosystems, an ambassador for the Oregon Venture Fund, and an advocate for partnerships between businesses and higher education in Southwest Washington. She serves on the board of the Columbia River Economic Development Council and volunteers for the Business Growth Mentor and Analysis Program (MAP) for the Carson College of Business at WSU Vancouver. Wu earned an MBA from WSU.
	SHARON WYLIE 49th Legislative District Representative Washington State Legislature	Sharon Wylie is the 49th District legislative representative for the Washington State Legislature, a position she has held for four terms. Her successes for Clark County included obtaining funding for the Clark County Center for Community Health, the new crime lab, and the Salmon Creek Interchange. She has served as president of the Council for the Homeless, and as board member of Affordable Community Environments. Sharon earned a BA in political science from UC Riverside.