We are happy to announce Alena Hume, Academic Coordinator and Advisor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, as a Crimson Spirit Award recipient.

Alena is a WSU alumnus who is described by her nominator as being a “ray of sunshine with a positive outlook and an enthusiasm for her position working with students.” Donning her Coug apparel, Alena partakes in as many orientation and outreach events as possible, instilling passion and excitement in being a part of the WSU Community to present and future students.

More recently, Alena has been involved in ensuring that the entirety of her department is aware of how best to handle students that may be experiencing crises. Alena has a background in counseling and that helps reinforce her role as a trusted and capable mentor to the students. According to her nominator, “She puts extra time beyond her work day to consider the needs of our students and how to consistently improve our advisor and faculty relationships with them.” Outside of WSU, Alena serves on the board of Western Association of Student Employment Administrators (WASEA), which supports and promotes students resident in the 13 westernmost states.

Alena is being recognized for her positive attitude, genuine interest in her work, support to her department, exceeding expectations, and anticipating needs. “I believe that [she] merits a commendation for her efforts here in the past half-decade of supporting the best interests of the students here at WSU; that she be recognized as an ideal representative of what [the] University stands for.”