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Lynn Briggs, PhD

Dean, University College
Professor of English

117B Showalter Hall

Phone: 509.359.2258

Lynn Briggs, PhD, is a Professor of English, began at EWU in 1994 as the Director of the Writers’ Center. She was chosen in a national search as Dean of Arts and Letters in 2007. As inaugural Dean of the College of Arts, Letters and Education, she has experience integrating organizations in the university. Her recent research with Jon Hammermeister into the impact of teaching mental fitness skills in composition courses is a potential high impact practice that fits well with other high impact practices located in the college.

Brian Davenport, PhD

Interim Associate Dean of University College and Director of Community Engagement

115C Showalter Hall

Phone: 509.359.2036

Email: bdavenport2@ewu.edu

Website: Office of Community Engagement

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Dr. Brian Davenport works with faculty to coordinate service-learning along with course and program development related to community engagement. Dr. Davenport was an Assistant Professor of Leadership and Organizational Studies at the University of Southern Maine and he served as the Assistant Director of the Master in Teaching Program at Whitworth University. Dr. Barbara Holland, a leader in the area of community engagement, describes him as someone who “has often demonstrated his ability to bring people together, to encourage collaboration, and to build bridges of shared understanding.” Dr. Davenport has professional experience as both a faculty member and staff member and he moves easily between those spheres.

Jackie Coomes, PhD

Special Assistant to the Provost for Honors, Professor of Mathematics
217 Hargreaves Hall

Phone: 509.359.6305

Email: jcoomes@ewu.edu

Website: Honors Program

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Dr. Jackie Coomes, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics will serve during the Academic Year 2019-20, as the Special Assistant to the Provost for Honors. Dr. Coomes is the 2019 Trustee’s Medal Winner, a former president of the Eastern Washington University Faculty Organization, and has been awarded numerous grants. Dr. Coomes served, as the Faculty Organization President and led the revision of general education.

Christina Torres Garcia, PhD

Director of Ronald E. McNair Scholar Program

107 Monroe Hall

Phone: 509.359.2471

Email: cgarcia1@ewu.edu

Website: Trio McNair Scholar Program

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Dr. Torres García earned her Ph.D. in Cultural Studies and Social Thought from Washington State University. Currently, she is the Director of the TRiO Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program and has taught in the fields of Chicano Studies, Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies at Eastern Washington University and Chicano Studies at Yakima Valley Community College.

Her research interests and studies focus on historical, social, and political issues affecting Chicanas/Latinas in the Pacific Northwest. Her interest in illustrating the dynamic modus operandi of the intersections of systematic layers of oppression has resulted in reclaiming the voices of Chicanas and Latinas whose life stories enrich academia today. As a Chicana from Mexican farm working background and first-generation college student, Dr. Torres García’s life dedication is to raise critical consciousness among students by unveiling social inequalities and empowering marginalized groups to become agents of positive change and engage them in civic responsibilities

Pui-Yan Lam, PhD

Director of Faculty Commons

Professor, Sociology and Justice Studies

Associate Dean, College of Social Sciences

Faculty Commons House - Office 213

Email: plam@ewu.edu

Website: Faculty Commons

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Dr. Pui-Yan Lam, Professor of Sociology and Justice Studies and Associate Dean in the College of Social Sciences, has accepted the position of Faculty Commons Director. Dr. Lam has served as Associate Dean since 2012 and has been a member of the faculty since 2001. Her research often focuses on race and culture. She is well-versed in assessment of student learning as well as study-abroad experiences of students. Dr. Lam is a co-champion on the Ignite Change Strategic Planning team, and has served as a new faculty mentor.

As director she will enable the Faculty Commons to support all teaching faculty, including teaching assistants, adjuncts, lecturers, on all campuses, at every stage of their careers; establish and enhance programs that support the scholarship of teaching and learning in a holistic approach; bring together faculty, administrative/professional staff, and students to foster a sense of shared responsibility in learning, and much more.

Keith Klauss, MPA

Senior Director, Articulation and Transfer Policy

University College

117A Showalter Hall

Phone: 509.359.2071

Email: kklauss@ewu.edu

Web site: Articulation and Transfer Policy

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Since 1999 Keith Klauss has worked at Eastern Washington University in both Academic and Student Affairs. He is keenly focused on the development of meaningful relationships with EWU transfer partners for the purpose of ensuring an efficient transition that positively contributes to the personal transformation of transfer students. He enjoys his many opportunities to engage with current and prospective students as they prepare for degree completion. Keith is a graduate of Eastern Washington University with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies and an MA in Public Administration.

Taylor Kensel, MFA

Interim Assistant Director of Student Research & Community Engagement

115D Showalter Hall

Phone: 509.359.6826

Email: tkensel@ewu.edu

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Aarin Hare

Assistant to the University College Dean
117 Showalter Hall

Phone: 509.359.2035

Email: ahare@ewu.edu

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