Five Leaders Honored as 2023 WSU Tri-Cities Women of Distinction

2023 Women of Distinction Award Winners, (left to right): Legacy Award: Rebekah Woods, president, Columbia Basin College; Faculty Award: Yimo Liu, WSU Tri-Cities associate professor, School of Biological Sciences; Staff Award: Evelyn Martinez-Ostrom, WSU Tri-Cities Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, director; Student Award: Haydee Guzman, WSU Tri-Cities psychology student; Community Member Award: Christine Lindgren, director, The Responding to Autism Center, Kennewick

​Washington State University Tri-Cities recognized five female leaders as Women of Distinction for their contributions to the campus and Tri-Cities community as part of an April 20 inductee ceremony.
 
The women honored exhibit exceptional leadership in their discipline or area of expertise, serve as role models and mentors to other women, advocate for positive social change and demonstrate a commitment to WSU Tri-Cities’ mission. 

“We are fortunate to live in a community that values education and the contributions that women make,” said Sandra Haynes, chancellor at WSU Tri-Cities. “The Women of Distinction awards are our way of recognizing some of the incredible women whose work has impacted the campus and its students, empowered other women, and strengthened our community.”

This is the sixth year of the award program and during that time more than 150 submissions have been received. Nominations are open to the campus and the Tri-Cities community. 
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The 2023 Women of Distinction Award Winners:

Rebekah Woods
Woman of Distinction Legacy Award, 2023
President of Columbia Basin College

Christine Lindgren
Woman of Distinction Community Member Award, 2023
Director, The Responding to Autism Center, Kennewick

Yimo Liu
Woman of Distinction Faculty Award, 2023
WSU Tri-Cities associate professor, School of Biological Sciences

Haydee Guzman
Woman of Distinction Student Award, 2023
WSU Tri-Cities psychology student

Evelyn Martinez-Ostrom
Woman of Distinction Staff Member Award, 2023
WSU Tri-Cities Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, director