About Us
Our Mission
ONIA鈥檚 mission is to encourage and assist all 蘑菇短视频 (WCU) students to apply for major national and international scholarships and fellowships and in the process to help all applicants develop self-awareness, improve writing and critical thinking skills, and create a vision for their future as leaders and innovators.
ONIA is committed to providing equitable access to information about national and international scholarships and fellowship opportunities to all 蘑菇短视频students. We regularly hold information sessions open to all students, actively reach out to academic departments and student groups, as well as engage in direct outreach to students.
ONIA is committed to promoting scholarship and fellowship opportunities that are accessible to applicants from all backgrounds. When opportunities are limited to a particular applicant pool by eligibility criteria (e.g. US citizenship) we actively seek to provide alternative opportunities whenever possible.
Finally, ONIA is committed to the principle that the application process itself is a noble endeavor that prepares students for life after graduation. Despite the outcome of the scholarship application, ONIA is committed to mentoring and encouraging students to reflect about their values and goals and assist whenever possible in articulating their post-graduate plans and future professional careers.
Our Staff
Dr. Ingrid Bego
Director
Dr. Ingrid Bego is an Associate Professor of Political Science and the Director of International Studies Program at 蘑菇短视频. She earned her Bachelor鈥檚 Degree triple majoring in Political Science, German, and Spanish from Washburn University. She then went on to earn an MA and PhD in Political science from Washington State University. Her research focuses on issues of democratization, gender and politics, global governance and public policy. . Her book, 鈥淕ender Equality Policy in the European Union,鈥� was published by Palgrave in 2015 and she is currently working on finishing her second book project with Routledge examining the role of gender on executive appointments in post-Communist Central and Eastern Europe.
ONIA Council
ONIA Council Members help identify candidates and, as needed, mentor candidates for national and international awards. Typically, ONIA Council Members:
- Direct potential candidates to meet with the ONIA Director.
- Forward information from ONIA to potential awards candidates.
- As needed, review draft application materials for revision / improvement.
- As needed, help in mock interviews.
- Regularly meet to provide direction for ONIA.
For more information on ONIA Council Members or to become one, please contact Dr. Ingrid Bego.
ONIA Council Members, 2026
ratanasov@wcu.edu
828.227.3942
RISTO ATANASOV
Department Head and Associate Professor, Mathematics and Computer Science
jcasimir@wcu.edu
828.227.3777
Jessica Casimir
Assistant Professor, Sociology
ccooper@wcu.edu
828.227.3861
CHRISTOPHER COOPER
Robert Lee Madison Distinguished Professor, Political Science
tcpaul@wcu.edu
828.227.3812
THERESA CRUZ PAUL
Director, Center for Career and Professional Development
mfischer@wcu.edu
828.227.7753
MARY FISCHER
Associate Director, Advising Center
jngranger@wcu.edu
828.227.7383
JILL GRANGER
Dean, Honors College
rhikkaduwakoralege@wcu.edu
828.227.2330
RANGIKA KORALEGE
Associate Professor, Chemistry
wmilner@wcu.edu
WES MILNER
Director, International Programs and Services
kspasovska@wcu.edu
828.227.2730
KATARINA SPASOVSKA
Associate Professor, Communication
yyan@wcu.edu
828.227.2648
YANJUN YAN
Professor, Engineering
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