By the Office of Community Engagement & Service Learning
This year has been a year of giving thanks to the many community organizations that partner with our campus, our programs, and with our students. We also want to highlight the outstanding work of students who commit to serve the campus and their local community.
This year, the Office of Community Engagement & Service Learning has five shining stars from the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
ERIKA BAUTISTA
Community Engagement Fellow for Women’s Health
As a Community Engagement Fellow, Erika Bautista has developed a partnership with Raiz and Planned Parenthood to develop education opportunities about women’s health on campus and in the Spokane
community.
Erika believes that as a health sciences professional, she wants to continue to advocate for better awareness around women’s health. The resources for women’s health are not vast, but with awareness, education, and training, communities can better request and access resources.
Erika is a third year Doctor of Pharmacy student at the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
SANDRA KUANG
Community Engagement Fellow for Education Outreach
Sandra has developed and maintained partnerships with the lead facilitators of after school programs at Sheridan Elementary School and with the Spokane Eastside Reunion Association. She builds bridges between WSU Health Science students to provide mentoring and tutoring help to students in elementary school.
Sandra knows firsthand how hard it is for students in low-income and low-resource areas to consider aiming for a higher education and believes that everyone should have an equal chance of aiming higher than a high school diploma.
Sandra is a third year Doctor of Pharmacy student at the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
JACQUELINE AGUON
Community Engagement Fellow for Public Health
Jacqueline Aguon collaborates with the MLK Family Outreach Center in the East Central Neighborhood and faculty and students from Nursing and Medicine. Jackie’s focus is to provide health services, education, and advocacy for the general needs of the community.
Jacqueline believes that promoting public health awareness and education is vital to the success and sustenance of any community; especially for those who are most under-served and underrepresented in the community. Public health outreach ensures that the community is informed on how to maintain healthy lifestyles throughout their development.
Jacqueline is a second year student completing her Doctor of Pharmacy at the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
BRIANDA DE LA CRUZ
Community Engagement Fellow for Housing Insecurity
Brianda De La Cruz started volunteering last year in projects that help homeless community members. This led her to serve with our office as a Engagement Fellow for Housing Insecurity where she collaborates with the Spokane Alliance and Refugee Connections to develop campaigning opportunities and to support the growth of initiatives, such as health passports.
Brianda works toward developing learning opportunities for community members and students because she believes in engagement and dialogue for a better community.
This is Brianda’s third year in her Doctor of Pharmacy at the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
JAGANDEEP SANDHU
Student Director of the Cougs in the Community Program
Jagan works with community partners and student organizations to build civically minded health care professionals by promoting student civic engagement.
Jagan believes in building a strong foundation for WSU Cougs in the Community program which will leave long lasting impacts on student community engagement. He understands that what affects your community affects you. Therefore, you must advance in conjunction with advancing your community by serving and advocating.
Jagan and his team have hosted opportunities, such as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and the Spokane River Clean-up.
Jagan is a third year Doctor of Pharmacy student at the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.