Women of Distinction/Woman of the Year 2025 winners

The President’s Commission on the Status of Women is excited to announce this year’s Woman of the Year/Women of Distinction Awards. Please help us extend a hearty congratulations to these incredibly strong and talented women at the award ceremony on Monday, March 24, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Lewis Alumni Center!

  • Naomi Chaytor
    Woman of the Year
    Spokane
  • Maria (Masha) Garstein
    Woman of Distinction, Tenure-Track Faculty
    Pullman
  • Christine Portfors
    Woman of Distinction, Administrator
    Vancouver
  • Clea Rome
    Woman of Distinction, Career-Track Faculty
    Clallam County Extension
  • Jessica Perone
    Woman of Distinction, Staff
    Pullman
  • Oluyemisi Oloniyo
    Woman of Distinction, Graduate Student
    Pullman
  • Yecenia Cortez
    Woman of Distinction, Undergraduate Student
    Pullman
  • Kellyan Nguyen
    Woman of Distinction, Alumna
  • Gail McNeilly
    Woman of Distinction, Community Partner

For more information on our winners and award criteria, see our Facebook page, X, Instagram, and web page.

The Notices and Announcements section is provided as a service to the WSU community for sharing events such as lectures, trainings, and other highly transactional types of information related to the university experience. Information provided and opinions expressed may not reflect the understanding or opinion of WSU. Accuracy of the information presented is the responsibility of those who submitted it. The self-uploaded posts are reviewed for compliance with state statutes and ethics guidelines but are not edited for spelling, grammar, or clarity.

Next Story

Recent News

Inside WSU’s student-run hackathons

Hackathons have become a defining space for student innovation, with two taking center stage this year.
By Sravanthi Yalamanchili, Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

WSU recognized for support of first-generation students

The university’s elevation to FirstGen Forward Network Champion reflects growing enrollment, improved retention, and expanded support programs helping first-generation students succeed.
By RJ Wolcott, WSU News & Media Relations