SMATE’s Whitney Morrison has been honored with Western’s President's Exceptional Effort Award. This award is given to a select few Professional or Classified employees across divisions who have shown outstanding dedication in furthering one or more of the university's strategic plan's core themes: Advancing Inclusive Success, Increasing Washington Impact, and/or Enhancing Academic Excellence.  

Whitney Morrison has shown outstanding commitment to advancing WWU’s strategic plan by fostering inclusive communities, spaces, and learning experiences within SMATE (Science, Math, And Technology Education). Since May 2023, as SMATE’s Facilities, Collections, and Technology Manager, she has played a key role in building partnerships between SMATE’s faculty, staff, students, and K-12 educators. Whitney’s dedication extends beyond her official duties, as she has been pivotal in transforming SMATE’s spaces to promote a sense of belonging. She has gone above and beyond her regular responsibilities by helping SMATE become a welcoming and supportive community where student learning thrives.  

With experience as a public-school teacher and WWU faculty member, Whitney brings valuable expertise to her role. Her commitment to ongoing learning enriches the SMATE community, making it both inclusive and collaborative. She has leveraged the expertise she has gained as an educator over the years and added many other skills and knowledge to her repertoire. Whitney's leadership has not only made SMATE a welcoming and inclusive space but also a vibrant community that fosters growth and collaboration. Thank you, Whitney, for your outstanding contributions!