Gov. Jay Inslee and First Spouse Trudi Inslee on Friday met with Tribal Relations and Native American Programs and later toured the Complex Social Interaction lab led by researchers in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology.
The Inslees learned about the wrap around services developed to support native students throughout the WSU system. Zoe Higheagle Strong, Vice Provost for Native American Relations and Programs and Tribal Liaison to the President, showcased the historical and institutional efforts at WSU focusing on supporting tribal nations and Native American students and invited student leadership to participate in the discussion. The students spoke to their experiences and having a “home away from home” thanks to the Native American Student Center. These students are also recipients of the WSU Native Coug Scholarship, which was funded on a one-time basis by the Legislature in 2023 and expanded in its 2024 session. In 2019 the legislature also established the Washington College Grant to provide assistance to low-income students on a graduated scale. It has expanded eligibility twice, making it amongst the most generous state financial aid programs in the nation. The students also highlighted how leadership opportunities developed in collaboration with tribes — such as the Tribal Nation Building Leadership Program — improved their financial position to continue their education and thrive.
Later that afternoon the Inslees toured the Complex Social Interaction lab (CSI) led by David Makin who showcased the research done in Pullman to support law enforcement training regionally and nationally. CSI has ongoing research using audio analytics and machine learning to detect intense police-community interactions and support law enforcement training. Most recently the Legislature better funded the CSI lab to further develop best practices in law enforcement as it relates to informing police reform policy.
