Mary Rezac, dean of Washington State University’s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, was the guest of U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell at last night’s State of the Union address at the nation’s Capitol.
Rezac’s attendance served as a way to help spotlight the important work being done on the federal level to further STEM education and help inspire more women to pursue relevant fields of study. It’s an effort that Sen. Cantwell has dedicated significant time and energy into, serving as the main architect of the CHIPS and Science Act, which was signed by President Joe Biden last year.
Among the goals of the CHIPS and Science Act is to spur scientific innovation — particularly as it relates to semiconductors — and usher in new regional innovation hubs across the country. These historic investments will be critical as the United States looks to keep pace with scientific and technological breakthroughs happening around the world.
WSU will play a central role in technology innovation and ground-breaking research on its campuses and far beyond in the years to come.
In December, Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee visited WSU Tri‑Cities pushing state lawmakers for an additional $10 million in funding to support the WSU Tri‑Cities Institute for Northwest Energy Futures. WSU researchers are also working with partners at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to address the long-term health and stability of our electrical grid. WSU scientists and researchers are also making strides in cleaner fuel sources — such as in the HYPER Lab — as well as in artificial intelligence and agriculture.
Sen. Cantwell is serving her fourth term in the U.S. Senate. She currently serves on five senate committees, including as chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
