Global Partnerships and Research Services Staff

The Global Partnerships and Research Services team engages WSU scholars and international partners to increase research and educational collaborations around the world. We provide leadership and technical expertise to create measurable and sustainable impacts on global challenges. Through partnerships built on trust and mutual exchange of knowledge, we expand opportunities for WSU to be recognized globally as an institution of transformative research and education.

Paul Whitney, PhD
Associate Vice President for International Programs

Washington State University | Office of International Programs
+1-509-335-2541 | pwhitney@wsu.edu | www.ip.wsu.edu

Paul joined International Programs in 2016 as Associate Vice President. His previous administrative experience includes service as Associate Dean for Research in the College of Liberal Arts, and then as Senior Associate Dean in the College of Arts & Sciences. As a senior college administrator Paul led the development of major interdisciplinary research initiatives, and managed multiple seed grant programs. In International Programs, Paul plays a lead role in building global research and educational partnerships. Throughout his time as a faculty member and administrator, Paul has remained active as a researcher in cognitive neuroscience, and he and his collaborators are funded by the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health.

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Erin-Kae Rice, CRA
Director, Global Partnerships and Research Services

Washington State University | Office of International Programs
+1-509-335-4352 | erin.rice@wsu.edu | www.ip.wsu.edu

Erin is a certified research administrator and has over 15 years of experience as a principal investigator and grants administrator. Erin directs daily operations of the GPRS team and oversees grant and contract administration for all international programs. She also creates, negotiates, and manages WSU non-sponsored international contracts and partnership agreements. Over the last decade, Erin has worked closely with the Vice President and Associate Vice President for International Programs and WSU colleges to secure educational and cultural partnerships with universities, organizations, and government agencies around the world.

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L. Michael Lege
International Projects Manager and USDA Liaison

Washington State University | Office of International Programs
+1-509-335-2984 | llege@wsu.edu | www.ip.wsu.edu

Michael has a master’s degree in Environmental Science from WSU and 10 years’ experience working in development in East Africa. He has also earned bachelor’s degrees in general humanities (emphases in foreign language and agribusiness) and anthropology, both from WSU. He has worked on projects in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, and has established NGOs in Uganda and Tanzania. Michael continues to oversee our operations in Tanzania, as well as several other projects related to agriculture and natural resources. Michael also collaborates with our team on proposals and serves as principal investigator on all of our USDA grants and contracts.

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Steven Overfelt
International Engagement Specialist

Washington State University | Office of International Programs
+1-509-335-1348 | soverfelt@wsu.edu | www.ip.wsu.edu

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