CERM
Recent CERM News
Sean Smith was appointed in January 2026 as the seventh mayor of Covington, Washington, following eleven years on the Covington City Council, including nearly a decade as Mayor Pro Tem. Smith earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Washington before coming to CWU, where his love for the natural world was deepened and—just as importantly—he learned how to learn.
After graduate school, Smith worked as a park ranger, spent fifteen years as a lobbyist for two environmental nonprofit organizations, served twelve years as an environmental planner with the Washington State Department of Ecology, and built a long career in local government. He credits CWU’s Resource Management Program with turning his mind into a well-tuned, curiosity-driven, knowledge-seeking instrument—one that has equipped him exceptionally well throughout a public-service career spanning more than thirty years.
CERM economics alumnus chases career to Stanford, UC Berkeley, and beyond.
CWU News
Ellensburg has helped CWU’s Campus Executive Chef reach new heights
September 30, 2026 by David Leder
Encanto Arts residency at CWU to feature internationally acclaimed musicians
September 30, 2026 by Rune Torgersen