Universities Power the Palouse

Joseph Pallen

The University of Idaho in Moscow and Washington State University in Pullman play significant roles in enriching their respective communities.

Not only do these institutions stimulate the local economy through research, entrepreneurial innovation and workforce development efforts, they also serve as cultural hubs, attracting diverse populations and fostering community engagement through events and partnerships in the Palouse region.

“The relationship between the University of Idaho and the city of Moscow is symbiotic,” says Jodi Walker, co-chief marketing officer and executive director of communications for the University of Idaho. “Moscow’s businesses support our students in all they do and provide a warm welcome to the families and friends who come to Moscow to be a part of the Vandal experience.” 

Priming the Pipeline of Talent 

At the forefront of the university’s contributions to the community is a ready pipeline of talent. The university in Moscow works closely with industry leaders to facilitate internships and research collaborations that provide students with real-world experience. 

“Training the new workforce drives everything we do at the university. Our students engage in community businesses through internships, training and even part-time jobs,” Walker says. “We listen to employers. We collaborate with leaders to provide internships and pathways for Vandals to get hands-on experience while still in school doing meaningful work that often results in jobs after graduation.” 

The university in Moscow also actively collaborates with local schools to provide young students a head start on their path to college and careers. Through outreach programs, such as mentoring, workshops and campus visits, students are introduced to local career pathways as well as the possibilities of higher education. 

“From our Engineering Expo to the UI Extension’s statewide 4-H program, we touch the lives of thousands of K-12 students each year,” Walker says. “They spend time on our campus, engage with our employees and students and build affinity for our university. In turn, we provide more than $40 million a year in scholarships and grants to ensure students get every chance at a college education.” 

Economic Stimulus 

Washington State University (WSU) also plays a critical role in workforce and economic development in the region. The university’s 30,000 students have access to a wide variety of academic and research programs designed to equip students with the key skills and knowledge needed to thrive in various professional fields. 

“Our mission is to prepare students for their career and for the workforce, but we’re also preparing them for life. We are giving them a broad education, and we are giving them job-ready skills, such as oral presentation, writing group work and exposure to diversity, no matter what they end up doing professionally,” says Elizabeth Chilton, WSU chancellor. 

“We’re also in that top tier of research universities, which means our students have the opportunity not just to sit and receive knowledge from our stellar faculty, but also to get into the lab, into the field, into the barn, into the studio, and produce new ideas and new solutions.” 

The university in Pullman is also the largest employer in Whitman County, and Chilton says many of WSU’s alumni decide to live and work in the region. Recently the university partnered with the city to launch the Downtown Pullman Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining the vitality of the city’s historic downtown area. 

Cultural Catalysts 

“Our success depends on having a vibrant community and being able to attract faculty, students and staff. And their success, of course, relies on the social and educational and economic benefits that come with having a large research university in your city,” Chilton says. 

In addition to the impact the university has on the local economy, Washington State also serves as a cultural center for both local residents and visitors. 

Large football weekends bring tens of thousands of people to the university in Pullman, and many local businesses rely on these weekends to supplement slower summer months or winter months when there aren’t these large events happening. 

“That’s part of the Cougar spirit,” Chilton says. “WSU also has robust music and arts events programming. We have the top-notch Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, with exhibits open to the public. We also have a stellar school of music that hosts our Fridays at the Clock summer music series. Families can come and have picnics, and those are all free to the community.”