Ray Acuña-Luna of the Office of Academic Engagement has been awarded the Crimson Spirit Award for providing outstanding contributions to the WSU community and superior efforts in support of university and strategic goals.

Ray serves as the Director of College Access Programs and has “led a team working to help students from low-income and first-generation backgrounds overcome the typical and exacerbated obstacles students have faced.” He has been creating and implementing a variety of creative solutions over the past year when COVID made it impossible to hold in-person advising and mentoring. Ray “partnered with community agencies (including the Mexican Consulate in Seattle) to provide virtual workshops for students and parents.” Additionally, his nominator mentions how Ray was able to provide virtual opportunities for students when summer residential programs had to be canceled. Ray is “a phenomenal advocate for students and not only provides outstanding contributions to WSU but represents the institution to future students and parents in a manner that exemplifies Crimson Spirit.”

Ray’s nominator’s closing statements say that “It is hard to capture all the contributions Ray makes to WSU. He is tireless in working to support students and the institution and there are countless examples I could provide. Despite all the challenges of the past year, he has remained steadfast in this support and continues to advocate for students and the opportunities WSU can provide them.”