Seniors in the Spotlight

This year, WSU Global Campus recognized 15 graduating seniors for their outstanding dedication to academic excellence and service to the university or their communities. These students hail from all around the country and the world, representing a diverse cross-section of our global community of online Cougs. This month, we are highlighting three of our Outstanding Seniors sharing their unique and vibrant Global Campus student journeys.

Tanisa Kang

Environmental and Ecosystem Sciences Outstanding Senior

“As an international student, I am grateful to be able to pursue my education at WSU Global Campus from my home in Jakarta, Indonesia. Even more so now and feeling incredibly honored that I’ve been recognized through the Outstanding Senior award program for my major.

The environment provides a basis for our homes and actions, understanding our relationship to Earth is an important part of being human. I’ve always hoped to be a positive force for the environment and a degree in environmental and ecosystem sciences will surely aid my efforts.

My undergraduate journey hasn’t been a clear shot. It started with me studying fine arts in Minneapolis, and as I decided to shift my studies to science, I transferred to a community college and completed an associate degree. Before transferring again to a university, circumstances brought me to move back home and take a break from school. During this time, I also found myself exploring a career in English language education for a while. When I found this program at WSU Global Campus in 2020, I thought it was perfect for what I needed to finish my degree. 

After four semesters at WSU, I am excited to finally graduate with a degree in environmental and ecosystem sciences with a 3.96 GPA, a minor in biology, and a certificate in professional science & technology writing. I’ve also had the pleasure to explore opportunities at a local environmental start-up and others relating to ESL and digital illustration while studying. I’m glad to be able to juggle different passions and hope to continue combining them in the future. Thank you WSU!”

Scott Ercoline

Management Information Systems Outstanding Senior

“I’m originally from Redding, California. I joined the Navy at 18, earning veterans’ education benefits that I would use later. After getting out of the military, I started a career in IT which would lead to 14 years working for Microsoft. As time went on, however, I felt that my career was starting to plateau. I noticed gaps in my knowledge that were keeping me from growing and advancing professionally. In order to expand my skillset and knowledge base, I finally made the decision to go back to school.

I chose WSU Global Campus for two reasons. First, I wanted to juggle school and work while I earned my degree, and learning online allowed me to do that flexibly and without having to move near a campus. Also, while I was working in the Seattle area, I heard a lot of great things about WSU. The university has a great reputation, so I was very happy to learn about online learning opportunities with Global Campus.

Once I started, I wasn’t disappointed. I immediately started filling the gaps in my knowledge and expanding my professional toolbox. Faculty and staff were all exceptional, and I learned a lot very quickly. Overall, my experience was absolutely amazing.

After graduating Suma Cum Laude, I had to make the decision on what to do next. I’m already in a much better spot in my career, but I know that I have lots more still to learn. So I decided to stick with WSU Global and I’m now in their online Executive MBA program. I can’t thank Global Campus’ faculty and staff enough for the experience I’ve had on the knowledge I’ve gained. It’s had a huge impact on my life, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”

Jen Bull

Social Sciences Outstanding Senior

“After 21 years I decided to go back to college to pursue my undergraduate degree. My children were approaching college age and I saw this time as an opportunity to accomplish that goal before they embarked on their own college journeys. I have been a massage therapist for 22 years and always felt the desire to do something more in the medical field. My choice of a social sciences degree allowed me to maximize the transfer of my past credits from community college, saving me time and money. While at WSU Global Campus, I maintained a 4.0 GPA and feel like the learning I received helps me every day in my interactions with patients, employees, and my family. 

Since starting at WSU Global Campus, I have gained a passion for working with those in poverty and the military. My studies in social science focused on poverty, both in the United States and abroad, and my minor in political science helped create a framework for understanding global affairs while connecting information on systemic issues here at home. In healthcare, helping those who have made a commitment to protecting our freedom has been a priority for me personally. During the past few years, I have worked with disabled veterans who are searching for non-traditional methods of healing, and I have been able to provide pro-bono treatments for them and other disabled members of the community who might not otherwise have access to the costly, alternative healing modalities offered at my clinic. 

Owning a business, having three teenage boys, and maintaining a marriage and household, all while going to school with a full credit load was a tremendous undertaking. But the online platform at WSU Global Campus made the once seemingly unattainable goal of finishing my degree a reality. I am very grateful for the flexibility the program provides. Looking ahead, I would like to pursue a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy to allow me to integrate bodywork with mental health counseling for families of active-duty personnel and disabled veterans in need.

I am glad to have obtained a degree from WSU and would encourage those interested in Global Campus to learn more! My advisor, Kerri Hill, helped me tremendously and was patient and informative. She made the process less overwhelming, and I felt supported the whole way. I am so proud to be a Coug and a part of the graduating class of 2022!”