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 3,500 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:

MEL NETZHAMMER

Chancellor of WSU Vancouver

Mel Netzhammer has served as the second chancellor of Washington State University Vancouver since July 2012. Under Netzhammer’s leadership, WSU Vancouver developed a 2016 – 2021 strategic plan focused on research excellence, student success, growth, diversity and equity, and contributing to the betterment of the community. He is passionate about growing the number of students who successfully complete their academic degrees and expanding access to higher education—especially for the underrepresented. He values campus and community engagement, and has developed a number of strategic partnerships to support economic development and grow the workforce in Southwest Washington and the greater metropolitan area.

Campus Profile

Established: 1989
Chancellor: Emile “Mel” Netzhammer

Student Profile, Fall 2023

Total enrollment: 2,756
Undergraduate: 2,439
Graduate: 317
Students of color: 36.5%
International: 2.0%
Women: 51.6%
First generation: 43.8%

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.
	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 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.
	ERIC HOLMES City Manager City of Vancouver	Eric Holmes is the city manager of the City of Vancouver. He has worked at all levels of government, including 20 years in public administration. He is an executive board member of the Columbia River Economic Development Council and member of the Association of Washington Cities Legislative Committee. Holmes earned a bachelor's degree in planning, public policy and management from the University of Oregon and a master's degree in public administration from Lewis & Clark College.
	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.
	KRISTIN LESSEIG Associate Professor WSU Vancouver	Dr. Kristin Lesseig is an Associate Professor in WSUV's College of Education where she teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in mathematics content, pedagogy, and STEM education. Kristin's research focuses on teacher learning and ways to promote mathematical reasoning in secondary classrooms. She earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics at Truman State University and taught middle and high school mathematics in Del Norte Colorado for fifteen years before earning a doctorate in mathematics education at Oregon State University and beginning a career at WSUV. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2023
	KARISSA LOWE Program Manager Oregon Metro's Nature in Neighborhood Community Grants	Karissa is the Grants Program Manager for Oregon Metro's Nature in Neighborhoods community grants program. Karissa earned both a bachelors degree (English, 01) and a masters degree (education, 03) at WSU Vancouver. She is the 2021 recipient of the WSU Vancouver Notable alumni award. She served as an elected member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Council for 15 years; she was the founding chair of the board for the Cowlitz Tribe Education and Arts Fund and served as a founding member of the Tribe's statewide compact funds distribution board. She currently serves as a member of the Tribal Education Committee and as vice chair of the Cowlitz Tribal Gaming Authority board. In her spare time, she runs a monthly community belly dance show called Offbeat Belly Dance.
	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	Representative Stephanie McClintock represents the 18th District, Position 1 in the state House of Representatives. In the Legislature, Stephanie serves on House Capital Budget, Consumer Protection & Business, and Education committees. Stephanie received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Concordia University and currently works in public relations for United Grain Corporation. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys giving back to her community. She has spent time volunteering with Prairie High School Boosters and Battle Ground Education Foundation.
	TIM MERLINO Superintendent ESD112	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. Appointed to Advisory Council in 2019.
	LISA 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 Camas School District	Jeff Snell, superintendent of the Camas School District, 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 HR Director YWCA Clark County	Jasmine Tolbert is a lifelong Clark County resident and proud VanCoug! She graduated from WSU Vancouver in 2017 with a degree in human resources. Jasmine serves as the HR Director of YWCA Clark County, and is a champion for racial equity in the community through her role as NAACP Vancouver President. She currently serves on WSU Vancouver's Equity Diversity Advisory Board as well.
	MEI WU-FERGUS Co-Founder and VP Speak Technologies	Mei Wu, co-founder & 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 Angel 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.