Global Campus Director of Student Involvement and Philanthropic Engagement Wins President’s Employee Excellence Award
Andria Donnenwerth has been an active member of the WSU community for almost ten years. Starting as a program assistant for Global Campus in 2017, she went on to earn her degree in social science and join the Global Connections team, where she continues to serve today as the director of student involvement and philanthropic engagement. Known to students and fellow employees alike for her commitment to giving online Cougs the best possible college experience, Donnenwerth was one of three staff members across the WSU system to be honored with the 2026 President’s Employee Excellence Award.
Every year, this award is given to three to five WSU employees whose contributions have made a notable positive impact on the university. Candidates for the award are first nominated by students and staff, then individually evaluated by the Employee Excellence Award Committee before being recommended to president for final selection. The final recipients are chosen based on their demonstration of productivity, problem-solving skills, and investment in the WSU community.
One of Donnenwerth’s major contributions during her time at Global Connections is her establishment of the now-annual hybrid commencement for Global Campus students. Prior to this, Global Campus students did not have a designated ceremony of their own, with those who could not travel having to do without. With the introduction of the hybrid commencement, however, Global Campus students from far and wide can now have their unique experience celebrated as they graduate and enter their next phase of life.
Donnenwerth also spearheads CougsGive Day for Global Campus, a day of giving in which students and alumni are invited to share about how their experiences at WSU have changed their lives. The money raised during CougsGive is distributed to fund scholarships, student projects, and more, honoring the legacy of students past and creating new opportunities for generations to come.
Alumna Amber Heinemann, who worked with Donnenwerth while serving as the director of diversity for the Associated Students of Washington State University Global (ASWSUG), can attest to Donnenwerth’s dedication and talent for fostering inclusion and engagement on Global Campus. “Andria took our small ideas and built them into something so much bigger to benefit the student body of Global Campus,” said Heinemann. “She’s an asset to Global Campus and supports students in making it their home.”
Shawna Rengulbai, a former student ambassador who considered Donnenwerth a mentor, shared that Donnenwerth encouraged both her academic and personal growth. “She was someone who truly walked beside me through both school and life,” said Rengulbai. “[Donnenwerth] believed in me when I was still learning to believe in myself and gave me opportunities that not many people would have. Because of her support, I grew from a quiet mom just trying to survive into someone who found her voice and the courage to stand up for what she believes in. I will always be deeply grateful for the role she played in that transformation.”
Donnenwerth’s tendency to put students and their goals first is evident not just in her work with Global Connections, but even in her response to being awarded the President’s Employee Excellence Award. “This is my award, but I don’t feel like I’m the sole winner,” she said, adding that she’s “glad that others are seeing what’s being done on Global Campus.”
At the conclusion of the 2026 WSU Showcase, a week dedicated to celebrating and acknowledging the academic and professional successes of students, staff, and faculty, Donnenwerth was recognized publicly for her accomplishments and awarded $2500. Now that the ceremony has passed, she returns her attention to her numerous projects—including the development of a new alumni engagement program—for the benefit of all those who belong to the WSU Global Campus community.
About the Author
Emma Seckington is a writer for WSU Global Campus, working alongside the Marketing and Communications team to spotlight the unique accomplishments of Global Campus students, faculty, and alumni.