The University District

UDPDA Public Records Information

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 00:00:00 -0800

To submit a public records request to the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA) please utilize this form. Alternatively, requests can be emailed to Public Records Officer, info@spokaneudistrict.org, or sent via U.S. mail to UDPDA, 120 N Pine St, Ste 252, Spokane WA 99202.

The UDPDA provides access to public records under the provisions of the Washington State Public Disclosure Act (RCW 42.56) and the UDPDA Public Records Policy. Per RCW 42.56.520 please allow five business days to respond to a records request.

All records maintained by the UDPDA are available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. You are entitled to access public records, under reasonable conditions, and copies of those records can be provided upon paying copying costs. In most cases, you do not have to explain why you want the records. However, specific information may be necessary to process your request. The UDPDA may require further information to establish if disclosure would violate certain provisions of law.

The more precisely you can identify the record(s) you seek, the more responsive the UDPDA can be. The UDPDA provides access to existing public records in its possession but is not required to collect information or organize data to create a record not existing at the time of the request. Keep in mind that a question or request for information only is not a request for a record.

2026 University District Board and Committee Dates

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Advance agendas will be posted approximately 3-4 days before the meeting. Contact info@spokaneudistrict.org if you need a Zoom link for the meetings.

In 2026, the University District Development Association (UDDA) board of directors will meet on January 7, February 4, March 4, May 6, June 3 (retreat), September 2 (annual meeting), and October 14. Meetings (unless otherwise indicated in the agenda) are at the Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, Room 309.

In 2026, the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA) board of directors will meet on January 7, February 4, March 4, May 6, September 2 (annual meeting), and October 14. Meetings (unless otherwise indicated in the agenda) are at the Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, Room 309.

In 2026, the UDDA/UDPDA Executive Action Committee (EAC) will meet on the following dates at 11:30 AM via Zoom: January 20, February 17, March 17, April 21, May 19, August 18, September 22, and December 8. Please email info@spokaneudistrict.org for the virtual link.

University District U-Forward Monthly E-Newsletter Issues

Fri, 25 Dec 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Below are links to our most recent monthly U-Forward e-newsletters:

2025 - January, February, March, August, September

2024 - No issue November and December, October 2024, September 2024, August 2024, July 2024, no issue May or June, April 2024, March 2024, February 2024, January 2024

2023 - No issue December, November 2023, October 2023, September 2023, August 2023, no July issue, June 2023, May 2023, April 2023, March 2023, February 2023, January 2023

2022 - No December issue, November 2022, October 2022, September 2022, August 2022, July 2022, June 2022, May 2022 ,April 2022 (first issue)

TEDx Spokane Jan 31

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Roots: FOUNDATIONAL. FORMATIONAL. FUNDAMENTAL. Roots can be: thin and thick, wide and narrow, shallow and deep, new and old. We all have Roots. Everyone, from a young age, has experiences, circumstances, and situations that have shaped our lives. Roots continue to grow, forming a base for what we believe and how we act.

We learn. We love. We forgive. We connect. We protect. Every now and then, it’s important to reflect on these roots. This year, we’ll look at the foundation and what we may take for granted. We will look at the formation of our habits. And we will catch a glimpse of potential influences that will be fundamental.

Location: Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, Gonzaga University

Date: January 31, 2026 9 AM - 4 PM

# of Talks: 14 talks + 3 videos + 2 performances

What’s New:

We moved to winter, we believe people are inside and looking for outside inspiration!

We have a wonderful new location, the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, a beautiful new facility with form and function that we believe will enhance the TEDx Spokane experience.

We are returning to a full-day conference event with two major sessions and we will invite more opportunities for our attendees to meet the speakers, connect with other audience members on the ideas being shared, and be inspired to create greater change in our community.

Our request:

As we eagerly anticipate our 13th event on Jan. 31, 2026 TEDx Spokane wants to thank you for your continued support and membership in the TEDx Spokane family! NWX Talks, the non-profit that brings TEDx Spokane to Spokane, is looking for you; a cash sponsor, in-kind partner, volunteer, coach, and of course Speaker/performer recommendations. Please reach out to join our community. We appreciate all of you who believe in the TED mission, “To Discover and spread ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding, and drive meaningful change”. TED is a non-profit that believes powerful ideas, powerfully presented, move us: to feel something, to think differently, to take action.Thank you for being our ROOTED community.

Location: Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, Gonzaga University

Date: January 31, 2026 9 AM - 4 PM

# of Talks: 14 talks + 3 videos + 2 performances

What’s New:

We moved to winter, we believe people are inside and looking for outside inspiration!

We have a wonderful new location, the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, a beautiful new facility with form and function that we believe will enhance the TEDx Spokane experience.

Our request:

Thank you for being our ROOTED community.

Tickets

Sponsorship

Donations

Speaker Nominations

Volunteering (Event, Technical, Coaching, Board)

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT APPOINTS NEW 2026 BOARD MEMBERS

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

SPOKANE, Wash., January 8, 2026—The University District Development Association (UDDA) is pleased to announce six new board members for 2026. See this link for additional information about the UDDA board, including existing directors and officers. See this link for the press release.

Karlee Agee, Bouten Construction

After earning her bachelor’s degree in communications and business from Eastern Washington University, Karlee Agee joined the construction industry, where she found her passion for building communities through relationships, critical thinking, and collaboration. As vice president of operations at Bouten Construction, she leads with a focus on continuous improvement, always finding better ways to deliver value to customers while growing the company’s internal talent. In her role as marketing and communications leader, she’s committed to honoring Bouten’s legacy while positioning it to thrive for generations to come. A 2023 graduate of Whitworth University’s Institute of Leadership, Karlee also serves on the board of trustees of Vanessa Behan.

Ryan Arnold, Avista Corporation

Ryan Arnold is the Regional Business Manager for Avista’s Spokane Region, where he drives business growth and strengthens corporate relationships by engaging with the community, overseeing regional priorities, and incorporating local insights into strategic planning. Most recently, Ryan served as VP of Investment and Partnerships at My Green Lab, where he led fundraising, philanthropy, and corporate partnerships to advance the organization’s mission of building a culture of sustainability in science. He also served as Health Sector Lead for the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions Team, supporting the UN’s resilience initiatives for the global healthcare sector. Ryan holds an MBA in Sustainable Business from Presidio Graduate School and has served as an instructor and thought leader on corporate social responsibility, business strategy, and entrepreneurship.

Pat Castaneda, Manzanita House

Pat serves as one of Manzanita House’s six founding members and leads with a spirit of service. She has a background in community organizing and immigrant rights advocacy. Pat was born in Venezuela, where she worked with government programs focused on sustainable development. She later moved to England to pursue her MBA and eventually immigrated to the United States in 2001. Before joining Manzanita House, she founded a nonprofit in North Carolina to support Venezuelans seeking to move to the U.S. In 2019, she moved to Spokane and worked alongside newly resettled refugees until joining Manzanita House in 2022. The YMCA announced Pat as one of its 2026 Women of Achievement honorees.

Alex Jackson, MultiCare

Alex Jackson joined MultiCare in 2018 and has served in a variety of roles, including leading medical groups and hospitals, and is now focused on community impact and advocacy. With over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience in both Portland and Spokane, he focuses on improving health care for patients, staff, and the community. Jackson has a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina.

Angela Swenseid, STCU

Angela is the Senior VP of Accounting and Finance for STCU, based in Liberty Lake. STCU is a $6 billion-dollar, member-owned cooperative credit union in the Inland Northwest. Angela leads the accounting, finance, and treasury departments. Angela serves on the Spokane Arts board, which supports arts and culture in the region through grantmaking, programming, advocacy, and professional development. She holds a BS in Business Administration, Accounting and Finance from Eastern Washington University and an MBA from Washington State University.

Adam Swinyard, Spokane Public Schools

Dr. Adam Swinyard has served as the SPS superintendent since 2020. Dr. Swinyard previously served as the district’s associate superintendent for teaching and learning and director of secondary schools. In the fall of 2022, Dr. Swinyard was named the Superintendent of the Year by the Washington Association of School Administrators. In December of 2022, he was recognized as a 'Superintendent to Watch' by the National School Public Relations Association. Under his leadership, Spokane Public Schools in 2024 was named a "District of Distinction" by the District Administration Leadership Institute for its work in providing access and opportunity to all students. A native of Deer Park, WA, Dr. Swinyard earned his B.A. in secondary education from Northwest University. He earned his M.Ed., Ed.D. in executive leadership, and Washington State Principal and Superintendent credentials from Seattle Pacific University. Before working in district administration, Dr. Swinyard was the principal at Sacajawea Middle School, where he was twice nominated for the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) Washington State Middle School Principal of the Year Award.

Spokane Colleges new Photography & Fine Arts Building debuts

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Text and imagery courtesy Dean Davis

This is a “dollhouse view” from a recent 3D scan I created of the new Photography & Fine Arts Building at Spokane Falls Community College. It’s a remarkable facility, purpose-built for photography and fine art, and easily one of the finest teaching spaces of its kind in the Northwest (arguably the country). What I love about this kind of work is how it gives people a true sense of place, not just a single hero image. You can click here to explore the entire building virtually, classrooms, studios, labs, and all, exactly as it exists.

See this link https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=WvcG3Eucbt1

EWU prepares to launch dental therapy program

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

(As reported in the Journal of Business by Tina Sulzle)

Eastern Washington University is moving forward with plans to launch a master’s in dental therapy program, a move that would place the university among a small handful of institutions nationwide offering the credential and expand access to oral health care in rural Washington, says Dawn Lewis-Kinnunen, dean of EWU’s College of Health Science & Public Health.

The program will complement EWU’s existing dental hygiene program and will be located in the SIERR Building, at 850 E. Spokane Falls Blvd. in Spokane’s University District, where the university currently occupies 32,000 square feet of space.

From a workforce standpoint, the program is designed to address a growing gap in oral health care — particularly in rural communities across Eastern Washington, Lewis-Kinnunen says.

“In the state of Washington, especially this region, rural health care is very important,” she says. “Eastern Washington University serves the region and the region’s workforce pipeline. One of the things in health care that is still not as dense as the region would want or needs it to be is oral care.”

The new program will be funded by a $10.5 million commitment from the Washington State Legislature and will include the renovation and relocation of its dental clinic and teaching facilities, Lewis-Kinnunen explains. The university will move its 46-chair dental clinic, currently located at 310 N. Riverpoint Blvd., into the SIERR Building. The revamped space will include new clinical areas, classrooms, faculty offices, conference rooms, locker rooms, and student lounges. EWU will occupy 55,000 square feet of space in the SIERR Building upon completion of tenant improvements.

The Regional Initiatives in Dental Education, or RIDE, program, which EWU operates in partnership with the University of Washington School of Dentistry, will continue operations in the University of Washington School of Medicine-Gonzaga University Health Partnership building, located at 840 E. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Dental therapy is still a relatively new profession in Washington state, says Lewis-Kinnunen, adding that there are currently only three dental therapy programs in the nation accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. EWU is in the process of pursuing the accreditation, a timeline that can take 12 to 18 months and requires an on-site review of facilities, curriculum, and clinical spaces.

If approved for accreditation, the university plans to begin enrolling students in fall 2028.

The proposed dental therapy program will be a three-year master’s degree program with cohorts limited to 12 students, eventually supporting 36 students at full capacity, says Lewis-Kinnunen. Three new faculty members, including a program director and two instructors, will be hired, she adds. EWU’s dental hygiene program currently enrolls 80 students in a two-year program.

Dental therapist duties include performing extractions, restorative procedures, and preventive care. They can also supervise dental hygienists while still working under the supervision of a licensed dentist, Lewis-Kinnunen explains. They are permitted to practice independently of a traditional dental office in settings such as federally qualified health centers and community clinics, she adds.

“When you go to the more rural areas, there are not very many dentists,” Lewis-Kinnunen says. “In our population, what will happen to (patients) if they are having some kind of dental emergency? They end up in emergency rooms.”

She says the dental therapy and dental hygiene programs will remain distinct. Applicants to the dental therapy program will not need prior dental hygiene licensure — only a bachelor’s degree and prerequisite coursework. Graduates will be licensed dental therapists.

In addition to the relocation of the dental hygiene program, EWU is currently entering the beginning stages of consolidating the health science programs into the Catalyst Building, located at 601 E. Riverside, and at the SIERR Building.

The Communication Sciences & Disorders Program will be relocated to the Catalyst Building from its current location in the SIERR building. EWU’s master's program in occupational therapy and its doctorate program in physical therapy will also move into the Catalyst Building.

“It’s really important that we bring our programs over and create the Health Peninsula,” Lewis-Kinnunen says. "Most folks won't think of it as a natural synergy, but for us it's a natural one. That's why we're going to relocate those three programs, along with our public health and health care administration, which is already here."

Improvements to both buildings are scheduled for spring 2026. Academic programs that are currently housed in the Catalyst Building that are not related to the health sciences programs, or the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, will move to the Cheney campus ahead of the 2026-27 academic year, a release says. These programs include the School of Business, School of Professional Accounting, Creative Writing, and Urban & Regional Planning. The Get Lit! offices and Willow Springs offices will also move from the Catalyst building to the Cheney campus, according to the university’s website.

Journal names its 25 People of Influence

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

(As reported in the Journal of Business by Erica Bullock)

The Journal of Business has selected 25 honorees for the 2026 People of Influence awards. Past and present University District board members in bold.

The honorees, in alphabetical order, are:

Jordan Allen, CEO, BuyWander Inc.
Michaele Armstrong, executive director, Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster.
Jesse Bank, executive director, Northeast Public Development Authority.
Chris Batten, principal, RenCorpRealty LLC.
Lance Beck, president and CEO, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Alisha Benson, CEO, Greater Spokane Incorporated.
Kevin Brockbank, chancellor, Spokane Colleges.
Emilie Cameron, president and CEO, Downtown Spokane Partnership.
Gavin Cooley, director of strategic initiatives, Spokane Business Association.
Cyndi Donahue, director of leadership training and development, Gonzaga University.
Vange Hochheimer, professor, Whitworth University and CEO and chief economist, Grand Fir Analytics.
Susan Horton, president and CEO, Wheatland Bank.
Garrett Jones, director, Spokane Parks & Recreation.
Shari McMahan, president, Eastern Washington University.
Shelly O’Quinn, CEO, Innovia Foundation.
Karl Otterstrom, CEO, Spokane Transit Authority.
Katia Passerini, president, Gonzaga University.
Christopher Preti, CEO, Jubilant HollisterStier LLC.
Dan Roark, CEO, Gestalt.
Tresa Schmautz, co-founder, Dignified Workday LLC.
Dale Silha, senior vice president, Pacific Northwest region, McKinstry Co. LLC.
Brittany Tyler, CEO, Four Roots LLC and director, Scale House Market.
Chud Wendle, executive director, Hutton Settlement.
Erin Williams-Hueter, executive director, Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County.
Adam Swinyard, superintendent, Spokane Public Schools.

To be recognized among the People of Influence, candidates must be decision makers in the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area who are working to improve quality of life in the Inland Northwest. In addition to being thought leaders and industry innovators, honorees are people who give back, both in the business world and the community at large.

The 2026 People of Influence will be recognized during an in-person event on Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Spokane Convention Center. Tickets are currently on sale on the Journal's website.

Journal names its 25 People of Influence

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

(As reported by Erica Bullock)

The Journal of Business has selected 25 honorees for the 2026 People of Influence awards. Past and present UD board members highlighted!

The honorees, in alphabetical order, are:

Jordan Allen, CEO, BuyWander Inc.
Michaele Armstrong, executive director, Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster.
Jesse Bank, executive director, Northeast Public Development Authority.
Chris Batten, principal, RenCorpRealty LLC.
Lance Beck, president and CEO, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Alisha Benson, CEO, Greater Spokane Incorporated.
Kevin Brockbank, chancellor, Spokane Colleges.
Emilie Cameron, president and CEO, Downtown Spokane Partnership.
Gavin Cooley, director of strategic initiatives, Spokane Business Association.
Cyndi Donahue, director of leadership training and development, Gonzaga University.
Vange Hochheimer, professor, Whitworth University and CEO and chief economist, Grand Fir Analytics.
Susan Horton, president and CEO, Wheatland Bank.
Garrett Jones, director, Spokane Parks & Recreation.
Shari McMahan, president, Eastern Washington University.
Shelly O’Quinn, CEO, Innovia Foundation.
Karl Otterstrom, CEO, Spokane Transit Authority.
Katia Passerini, president, Gonzaga University.
Christopher Preti, CEO, Jubilant HollisterStier LLC.
Dan Roark, CEO, Gestalt.
Tresa Schmautz, co-founder, Dignified Workday LLC.
Dale Silha, senior vice president, Pacific Northwest region, McKinstry Co. LLC.
Brittany Tyler, CEO, Four Roots LLC and director, Scale House Market.
Chud Wendle, executive director, Hutton Settlement.
Erin Williams-Hueter, executive director, Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County.
Adam Swinyard, superintendent, Spokane Public Schools.

The 2026 People of Influence will be recognized during an in-person event on Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Spokane Convention Center. Tickets are currently on sale on the Journal's website.

WSU College of Medicine welcomes first doctors to critical care program

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

The Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine’s new critical care medicine fellowship is welcoming its inaugural class of fellows.

The two physicians, including one WSU College of Medicine alum, will join the Everett medical community next summer to continue their specialized training in caring for the sickest patients.

Launched earlier this year in partnership with Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship–Everett expands the college’s medical education offerings to train more doctors in-state and will help alleviate a national and statewide shortage of intensive care specialists.

“Our fellowship match marks another milestone in advancing medical education and critical care services in our community,” said Program Director Dr. Tomasz Ziedalski. “We are thrilled to welcome our inaugural fellows.”

Fellowships provide advanced subspecialty training for physicians who have earned a medical degree and completed postgraduate residency training in their chosen specialty. Physicians across the country are paired with fellowship programs through a national match process.

The College of Medicine matched with its first critical care fellows, Dr. Alex Franke and Dr. Alfonso Siu, on Dec. 3.

I loved my medical school education, and when I heard that the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine was starting a critical care fellowship, it felt like the stars had aligned.
Dr. Alex Franke

The match is a homecoming for Dr. Franke, who graduated from WSU’s MD program in 2021 as part of the inaugural class of Coug Docs. He completed his residency in emergency medicine at the University of Utah, where he also served as chief resident.

“I loved my medical school education, and when I heard that the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine was starting a critical care fellowship, it felt like the stars had aligned,” Dr. Franke said.

He was drawn to critical care medicine, which provides care for severely ill patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, because of the depth of care it offers and the opportunity to connect with patients and their loved ones during pivotal moments in their lives.

Dr. Siu joins WSU from the Baylor College of Medicine, where he is completing a fellowship in infectious disease and researching bacterial infections in patients with weakened immune systems. He was drawn to the complexity and teamwork-oriented nature of critical care.

After earning his medical degree from the University of Panama, Dr. Siu completed a residency in internal medicine at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in New York, where he served as chief resident.

The critical care medicine fellowship is the WSU College of Medicine’s first fellowship program. The two-year program will welcome two new fellows per year, training four physicians at a time.

Fellows will train at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett alongside residents in the college’s internal medicine residency program. Critical care medicine is a subspecialty of internal medicine.

WSU also offers a family medicine residency in Pullman and a pediatric residency in Spokane. The programs have brought more doctors to live and work in eastern Washington, which faces an acute shortage of primary care physicians.