Washington State University Tri-Cities’ viticulture and enology department, based on the Richland campus, is now endorsed as a state workforce program, giving it access to new grant and student recruitment opportunities. 

The university began pursuing certification as a Career Launch program through Career Connect Washington several years ago, according to a release. Department officials had to demonstrate industry support, transfer partnerships with community colleges and a student-focused pathway to careers in the wine industry. 

“They were able to demonstrate how all students had the opportunity to participate in paid, supervised, work-based learning that aligned to curriculum within the degree pathway,” said Genevieve Howard, leader of the Career Launch endorsement process and committee, and Workforce Education policy associate, in a statement. “It was a solid example of how career-connected learning could benefit students, industry partners and educational partners.” 

Kate McAteer, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at WSU Tri-Cities, initiated the effort to become a Career Launch program. That led to the department earning a grant to bolster its offerings to make it eligible for the certification. 

University officials now plan to apply for another Career Connect Washington grant. If awarded, it would go toward hiring a student retention advisor, strengthening industry engagement opportunities and hosting a student internship and career fair. 

“We’re looking to expand our targeted recruitment and advising efforts,” said Jean Dodson Peterson, chair of the Department of Viticulture and Enology, in a statement. “To truly serve a diverse student population, (the department) needs the resources to provide structured, individualized support. This kind of funding opens the door to meeting students where they are – and I’m excited to see the impact it could have on their success.”