Office of the PresidentWomen* of Distinction

Women* of Distinction

*To honor the award’s history of recognizing exceptional women leaders while ensuring the award remains inclusive and aligned with WSU’s policies prohibiting discrimination, the name retains the word “Women” but adds an asterisk –Women*- as a clear indicator that the award is inclusive and open to all individuals whose leadership, accomplishments, or service align with the award’s purpose.

Celebrating

Washington State University proudly honors the rich legacy of contributions of those who have shaped the university, including teachers and scholars, staff and advisors, students and alumni, administrators and regents, volunteers, and friends.  This award is open to all individuals. The WSU Women* of Distinction and Woman* of the Year Awards are presented annually to recognize the achievements and contributions to the academic and local community, and to our society.

Women* of Distinction awardees usually include an alumni, a faculty member, a staff member, or a student (undergraduate or graduate). Individuals not affiliated with WSU, but who work with WSU in community engagement, development, student engagement, or other areas, can also be nominated.  All nominees for Women* of Distinction awards are eligible for the Woman* of the Year award.

Nominations from all individuals, from all WSU campuses and locations—including self-nominations—are welcome and encouraged.

These prestigious awards recognize individuals for their accomplishments and contributions to society and gender equality.

To Be Considered for the Awards, the Nominee Must:

  • Have distinguished themselves in academic work, career, leadership, public service, or any combination thereof.
  • Have contributed to the personal growth and success of others, especially women, through education, research, or public volunteer service beyond expected job responsibilities.
  • Have created positive social change, increased equality for all, and helped build community through service.
  • Have not been honored with this award in the last five years.

  1. With the list of qualifications in mind, provide a statement indicating the nominee’s distinguished contributions and achievements that addressed each of the qualifications above (limit 2 pages).
  2. In addition to the statement, provide any supporting documents to assist the committee in making this decision (limit 2 pages each and no more than 4 supporting documents). Examples include letters of support, additional nominations, and/or statements of reference).
  3. If you choose to include references, please include the names and contact information of individuals who can speak to the nominee’s qualifications and contributions.

Congratulations to the 2025 Awardees

The newest awardees were recognized at the Lewis Alumni Center on March 24.

Watch Recording

Undergraduate:
Yecenia Cortez
Graduate Student:
Oluyemisi Oloniyo
Staff:
Jessica Perone
Tenure-Track Faculty:
Maria (Masha) Gartstein
Career-Track Faculty:
Clea Rome
Administration:
Christine Portfors
Alumna:
Kellyan Nguyen

Community Partner:

Gail McNeilly


Woman* of the Year: Naomi Chaytor

Past Awardees

Congratulations to the 2025 Awardees

Left to Right: Maria (Masha) Garstein (Tenure Track Faculty, Pullman); Clea Rome (Career Track Faculty, Clallam WSU County Extension); Jessica Perone (Staff, Pullman); Oluyemisi Oloniyo (Graduate Student, Pullman); Naomi Chaytor (Woman* of The Year, Spokane); Yesenia Cortez (Undergraduate Student, Pullman); Gail McNeilly (WSU Community Partner). Not Shown: Christine Portfors, Vancouver and Kellyan Nguyen, WSU Alumna.

Undergraduate:
Yesenia Cortez (Pullman)
Graduate Student:
Oluyemisi Oloniyo (Pullman)
Staff:
Jessica Perone (Pullman)
Tenure-Track Faculty:
Maria (Masha) Gartstein (Pullman)
Career-Track Faculty:
Clea Rome (Clallam WSU County Extension)
Administration:
Christine Portfors (Vancouver)
Alumna:
Kellyan Nguyen

Community Partner:

Gail McNeilly
Woman* of the Year:

Naomi Chaytor (Spokane)

Previous Women of the Year

Dr. Kimberly Christen, 2024

A closeup of Jennifer Adam.

Dr. Jennifer Adam, 2023

Nairanjana “Jan” Dasgupta

Dr. Nairanjana “Jan” Dasgupta, 2022

Erica Crespi

Dr. Erica Crespi, 2021

Sheryl DeShields

Sheryl DeShields, 2020

Photo of Dr. Anna Plemons, 2019 Woman of Distinction

Dr. Anna Plemons, 2019

Photo of Dr. Katrina Mealey, 2018 Woman of Distinction

Dr. Katrina Mealey, 2018

Photo of Sheila Kearney Converse, 2017 Woman of Distinction

Sheila Kearney Converse, 2017

Photo of Anna King, 2016 Woman of Distinction

Anna King, 2016

Photo of Nikki Finnestead, 2015 Woman of Distinction

Nikki Finnestead, 2015

Photo of Laura Griner, 2014 Woman of Distinction

Laura Griner Hill, 2014

Photo of Lisa Brown, 2013 Woman of Distinction

Lisa Brown, 2013

Photo of Julia Pomerenk, 2012 Woman of Distinction

Julia Pomerenk, 2012

Photo of Cathryn Claussen, 2011 Woman of Distinction

Cathryn Claussen, 2011

Photo of Rebecca Craft, 2010 Woman of Distinction

Rebecca Craft, 2010

Photo of Joan O'sa Oviawe, 2009 Woman of Distinction

Joan O’sa Oviawe, 2009

Photo of Sue Armitage, 2008 Woman of Distinction

Sue Armitage, 2008

Photo of Christine Gregoire, 2007 Woman of Distinction

Christine Gregoire, 2007

Photo of Rebecca Miles, 2006 Woman of Distinction

Rebecca Miles, 2006

Previous Women of the Distinction

2022

  • Michelle Kelly, Alumna
  • Olivia Yang, Staff
  • Michelle Carter, Faculty
  • Amanda Westbrook, Undergraduate
  • Ayumi Manawadu, Graduate

2021

  • Lindha Sagen, Community
  • Michelle Lee, Undergraduate
  • Misty Lefler, Graduate Student
  • Jeannette Hurt, Staff
  • Vicki McCracken, Faculty

2020

  • Anika VanDeen, Student
  • Robin Stratton, Staff
  • Kelly Brayton, Faculty

2018

  • Lysa C. Salsbury, Community
  • Christine Oakley, Faculty
  • Davi I. Kallman, Graduate Student
  • Gillian Khoo Coldsnow, Staff

2017

  • Marie Dymoski, Community
  • Amy G. Mazur, Faculty
  • Melanie Thornton, Graduate Student
  • Marcela Carrillo Pattinson, Staff
  • Fadumo Ali, Undergraduate
  • Jacqueline van Wormer, Alumna
  • Sue M. Durrant, Lifetime Achievement

2016

  • Kimberly Garland Campbell, Community
  • Candis Claiborn, Faculty
  • Faith Lutze, Faculty
  • Katherine Bittinger, Graduate
  • Melynda Huskey, Staff
  • Dominique “Nikki” Norman, Undergraduate
  • Dorothy Wiley, Lifetime Achievement Award

2015

  • Beatriz Schweitzer, Community
  • Catherine Cooper, Faculty
  • Lynn M Becerra, Graduate
  • Sita Pappu, Staff
  • LaKecia Farmer, Undergraduate
  • Jalisa Harris, Undergraduate

2014

  • Carol Guthrie, Community
  • Roberta Paul, Faculty
  • Amber Morczek, Graduate
  • Vanessa Delgado, Undergraduate
  • Susan Rahr, Alumna

2013

  • Carmento Floyd, Community
  • Rev. Kristine Zakarison, Community
  • Elizabeth “Libby” Walker, Faculty
  • Sina Sam, Student
  • Kimberly Green, Staff
  • Judy Rogers

2012

  • Susan Wofford, Community
  • Peg Motley, Community
  • Kimberlee Kidwell, Faculty
  • Sharon Morgan, Staff
  • Francesca White, Undergraduate

2011

  • Robin Woltering, Community
  • Amy Skinder-Meredith, Faculty
  • Katherine Baril, Staff
  • Deborah Gracio, Alumna

2010

  • Rebecca Craft, Faculty
  • Alice Smethurst, Staff
  • Bernadette Mencke, Graduate student/staff

2009

  • Lori Carris, Faculty
  • Heidi Stanton, Staff
  • Margo Tamez, Student
  • Theresa Schulz Norris, Alumna
  • Gladys Jennings, Lifetime Achievement Award

2008

  • Xyanthe Neider, Graduate

2007

  • Jean Johnson, Faculty
  • Andrea Hall, Student

2006

  • Samantha Swindell, Faculty
  • Vicki Owens

1998

  • Lucy Luginbill, Staff
  • Lucy Loera, Graduate
  • Donna Shavlik, Graduate
  • Pauline Seals, Alumna