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)

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.

EWU Holiday Cheer "The Future Really is Bright"

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Enjoy this festive video and holiday story from EWU!

EWU and Spokane Regional Health District Ink Affiliation Agreement

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Eastern Washington University and the Spokane Regional Health District have signed a clinical training affiliation agreement intended to strengthen collaborations between the organizations and provide more hands-on learning opportunities for the future health care and public health workforce.

The affiliation agreement will provide alignment at an institutional level between EWU and SRHD while having the potential to expand upon existing relationships between the university and health district.

Dr. Francisco Velázquez, Spokane County health officer for SRHD, says the affiliation could include internship opportunities, involvement in patient or client health services, and greater exposure to public health practices for students. The agreement also could lead to more joint projects and research, giving health district staff assistance while providing students with opportunities to enhance academic credentials.

”The affiliation agreement provides strategic alignment between the organizations in addressing the regional workforce needs,” said Velázquez. “It is an example of public health and education working in unison to provide students and the community with a consistent understanding of what public health is, the meaningful employment opportunities available here in Spokane County, and the positive impact public health work has on the health and well-being of everyone in our community.”

EWU President Shari McMahan says the affiliation agreement is one piece of a larger, long-term strategy to provide applied-learning opportunities for all students in fulfillment of the university’s role as the region’s polytechnic.

“Health care is the fastest growing sector in the Spokane region, and Eastern is doing its part to strengthen that future workforce pipeline,” McMahan says. “This agreement will give many of the students in health-related fields the experience they need to step confidently into their careers.”

McMahan and Velázquez finalized the clinical training affiliation agreement in a signing ceremony on Dec. 10, in the Rotunda at Showalter Hall, on the EWU campus.

2025 University District Board and Committee Meeting Dates

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 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 UDPDA or EAC meetings.

In 2025, the University District Development Association (UDDA) board of directors will meet on February 5, March 5, April 9, May 7, June 4 (retreat), September 3 (annual meeting), and October 1. Meetings (unless otherwise indicated in the agenda) are at the Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, Room 309.

In 2025, the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA) board of directors will meet on February 5, March 5, April 9, May 7, June 4, September 3 (annual meeting), October 1, October 29 Special Meeting/Public Hearing (via Zoom only), and December 4 Special Meeting/Public Hearing (via Zoom only). Meetings (unless otherwise indicated in the agenda) are at the Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, Room 309.

In 2025 the UDDA/UDPDA Executive Action Committee (EAC) will meet on the following dates at 11:30 AM via Zoom. Please email info@spokaneudistrict.org for virtual link. January 21, February 18, March 18, April 15, May 20, August 19, September 16, and December 9.