Healthcare Administration Alumni Honored With 2025 Rising Eagle Award

We are excited to share that one of our EWU Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration alumni, Kori Jackson, was honored with the Rising Eagle award at the Spring 2025 EWU alumni event. The Rising Eagle Award recognizes emerging leaders among EWU’s recent alumni who are making a notable impact early in their careers. Award recipients embody the following qualities:

• Commitment to Excellence: Show a dedication to excellence in their post-academic lives, marked by exceptional work, research, or volunteer efforts.
• Professional and Community Impact: Have achieved significant recognition through their professional accomplishments, research contributions, volunteerism, or active involvement in local or global communities.
• Leadership and Service: Demonstrate strong leadership skills and a commitment to serving others.
• Innovation and Initiative: Special consideration is given to those who exhibit initiative by launching innovative service projects, research endeavors, businesses, or other original ventures.
• EWU Engagement: Display a history of active involvement with the EWU community, showcasing their dedication to the university’s growth and future.

During her academic journey at EWU, Jackson demonstrated outstanding resilience and tenacity. She finished her healthcare administration undergraduate degree during the Covid years. This involved her experiencing a rapid change to online courses, moving to Central Washington, and often experiencing unreliable internet access. Then, when in-person classes resumed after the Covid restrictions were lifted, Jackson made a major decision to not move back to the Spokane area. Instead, she, as well as several other students from rural communities, made the decision to commute for their last few courses. For Jackson, this included a 3-hour drive each way to and from Central Washington. This involved driving in the late evening and often not arriving home until after midnight. In the winter months, the commute presented many weather-related challenges.

In the spring of her senior year, Jackson was able to complete her healthcare administration internship in her own community. Her internship site supervisor at Mid Valley Hospital had this to say: “Kori has a positive attitude, is willing to take on any project provided to her, is not afraid to ask questions, seeks clarification, and makes acquaintances easily.” Her positive internship experience at this hospital has led to this site hosting EWU healthcare administration students whenever they are asked and has also established a lasting partnership with this organization.

Jackson also went on to earn her Master of Business Administration from EWU. She is currently serving as the business services manager and accountant at Paschal Sherman Indian School, in her own community.

Congratulations again to Jackson for being recognized for this award. We are proud to call her an alumna of our healthcare administration degree.

Submitted by Rosalee Allan

April 29, 2025