Our People
Our Faculty
Dr. Patrick Jones
Dr. Patrick Jones is the full-time executive director of the Institute. He currently serves on the City of Spokane’s Mayor’s Advisory Council on Economic Vitality, the Washington State Data Center (advisory to U.S. Census), a panel of the National Academy of Science, Engineering & Medicine, “Community Engagement in Southeast Texas: Pilot Project to Enhance Community Capacity and Resilience to Floods” and the steering committee of Priority Spokane, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-honored organization. For his local community impact, Jones was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the City of Spokane in 2016.
Dr. Kelley Cullen
Dr. Kelley Cullen is the Institute’s policy analyst and economist who also teaches courses in economics and statistics in EWU’s School of Business. She received her PhD in Economics with concentrations in health, labor, and econometrics from Washington State University. Dr. Cullen enjoys presenting on these topics as well as sports economics through the National Economic Education Delegation (NEED).
Our Student Interns
Dorothy Bergland
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Major: Accounting
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Post-graduation plans:
I plan to get my CPA and find work in Forensic Accounting.
After a few months of working on the Trends project, my favorite thing so far:
As a lifelong Washingtonian, the Trends project has given me the opportunity to get to know my state better. It is very exciting to get to do this research for each county that they in turn will use to shape improved public policies.
Miranda Carmona
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Major: Economics
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Post-graduation plans:
Pursue a Master’s degree in Economics and pursue a career in economic analysis
After a few months of working on the Trends project, my favorite thing so far:
learning and analyzing new trends for different regions in Washington every week. It amazes me how much I have learned about various counties in our state!
Angelica Cortes
Hometown: Zillah, WA
Major: Data Analytics
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Post-graduation plans:
I hope to find a job as a Data Analyst somewhere in the PNW.
After a few months of working on the Trends project, my favorite thing so far:
After a few months of working on the Trends project, my favorite thing so far: Handling the data and learning more about the counties that make up Washington State.
Jessica Phan
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Major: Visual Communications Design
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Post-graduation plans:
Freelance Design
After a few months of working on the Trends project, my favorite thing so far:
Practicing logo design
Laura Velazquez
Hometown: Duluth, GA
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Post-graduation plans:
I plan on joining the workforce right away, ideally working in the private sector. I am interested in renewable energy and other topics in engineering which serve the greater good.
After a few months of working on the Trends project, my favorite thing so far:
It is interesting to see how much important data it is out there and how it offers a better understanding of the community it came from. This is truly important work
