Writing Program’s Johnson-Shull, consultants land awards

The WSU Writing Program Associate Director Lisa Johnson-Shull and five Writing Center consultants were recognized for their outstanding performance and contributions at the annual Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA) Awards Celebration on April 22.

The Writing Program is part of DAESA, which is a division in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President.

“The accolades received by our Writing Program members are well earned and well deserved, and we could not be prouder of all of them,” said Angela Mitchell, program director. “We appreciate their excellence and contributions to our programs.”

Johnson-Shull awards

Johnson-Shull received two awards at the division-wide event. The DAESA Excellence Award in the administrative professional category acknowledges her 34 years of impact on the program and center, and her contributions ranging from working on professional development initiatives with faculty and teaching assistants to build writing and critical-thinking skills to managing staff and students, doing fundraising and marketing, contributing to journal publications, and delivering conference presentations, among others.

Her nominator for this award applauded Johnson-Shull’s “monumental list of accomplishments” that evidenced her innovation, creativity, collaboration, and mentorship, citing the online writing lab, the graduate writing center, the faculty WORD Fellows program, and the Brown Bag series.

“Lisa is humble about her impact on the Writing Program, at WSU, and in the world, but those of us who have met and known Lisa know that she is a one-of-a-kind leader, creator, collaborator, and friend,” the nominator wrote.

Johnson-Shull later in the DAESA program also received the University Common Requirements (UCORE) Ambassador Award. It is given to members of the UCORE Committee to recognize significant and sustaining contributions to the general education system.

She has served on the UCORE Committee for 10 years, reviewing courses for possible UCORE designation and helping to reaffirm the long-standing and deep-seated relationships between UCORE and the Writing Program, and UCORE courses and written communication.

Said Corey Johnson, interim UCORE director, “Lisa has offered her writing expertise to help evaluate hundreds of general education courses, and more than other UCORE members, Lisa spends time consulting with instructors to develop effective writing components for their courses.” He also complimented her contributions to two new UCORE outreach programs— “Coffee with Colleagues” and “Lunch and Learn.”

“We are very appreciative of [her] invaluable contributions to UCORE and the thousands of students it impacts every year,” said Johnson. Johnson-Shull earlier this year received the WSU Pullman Chancellor’s Award in the category of Distinguished Leader for faculty and staff.

Consultant awards

Also presented at the DAESA ceremony were Harold and Jeanne Rounds Olsen Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Writing Center Initiatives. Presented by Writing Center Director Brooklyn Walter, these recognize the exceptional efforts of experienced writing consultants who serve as mentors to their colleagues. Recipients are:

• Jacob Garrett, an English education major, who was a “quiet but mighty force” in the Writing Center over the past two years. “Jacob’s excellence as a writing tutor will carry on in his career in education after graduation,” said Walter.
• Emma Louise Miller, a wildlife ecology and conservation major in the Honors College, worked with the center for two years and shared vital science communication skills with WSU writers. “She plans to put her education skills, her science knowledge, and her experience as a raptor handler to work in a science education career after graduation.”
• Akira Park, an English education major and three-time undergraduate research presenter at SURCA, was a vital contributor to the Writing Center from 2021 to 2025. This year, she was instrumental as a mentor to her peers in the English 102 program. “Akira is taking her educational spirit and skills into a Ph.D. program in the WSU College of Education.”
• Jada Rome, a comparative ethnic studies major, brought her unparalleled energy, passion, creativity, and care to the Writing Center from 2021 to 2025. “The future is bright for Jada as she heads to Atlanta for adventures, friendship, and eventually law school.”
• Aidan Skylstad, a management information systems major in business administration, worked in the Writing Center for two years and brought important business, systems, and professional writing knowledge to the team. “Aidan will be pursuing a job at Schweitzer Engineering Labs after the May graduation.”