AccessNorthwest | About Us



		AccessNorthwest Mission Access Northwest is dedicated to research, education and outreach that increase citizen access to and use of government information, particularly by disenfranchised populations, with the objective of enhancing civic engagement and building a more informed electorate for a stronger democracy. Goals 1. Identify barriers to citizen access to government information and proceedings, particularly among disenfranchised populations. 2. Develop and implement improved methods for increasing citizen access to and use of government information. 3. Educate citizens regarding their right to be informed and to maintain oversight of the governments that serve them in the Pacific Northwest. Contact information Contact us at 509-335-2979, at accessnw@wsu.edu, or via the information provided below. AccessNorthwest Edward R. Murrow School of Communication Washington State University Murrow East 215 P.O. Box 642520 Pullman, WA 99164-2520 Staff Dr. Susan Dente Ross Director Dr. Susan Dente Ross is an associate professor of communication in the Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at Washington State University. She teaches a range of journalism and law-related courses, including media law, access to public records and meetings, qualitative research methods, and news reporting. Her research looks at how the law and media organizations affect individual and group identity, social change, and public debate. Some of her research specifically examines how government is accountable and opens its records and processes to the public. Ross earned her master’s degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and her doctorate in the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida. She has owned one weekly newspaper and served as start-up managing editor of another, worked as managing editor for an online newspaper and a magazine, and written freelance for a variety of newspapers, magazines, and organizations. Her publications have appeared widely in communication and law journals. She is the author of “Deciding Communication Law: Key Cases in Context“ and co-editor of “Images that Injure.“ Founder of AccessNorthwest, Ross is responsible for day-to-day operations, including planning, staffing, budgeting, student and faculty research and outreach, and public relations. She can be reached at 509-335-5842 and her e-mail address is suross@mail.wsu.edu. Her WSU home page, including vitae and biography, is at http://www.wsu.edu/~suross/. AccessNorthwest alumni David Cuillier, graduate student research assistant David Cuillier worked for AccessNorthwest as a doctoral student in communication at Washington State University. He finished his doctorate in May 2006 and began working as an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Arizona in July 2006. While at AccessNorthwest, David coordinated several research projects, including two public opinion polls regarding access, and assisted citizens and journalists throughout the Northwest. David worked for a dozen years as a reporter and editor at several Northwest daily newspapers before entering graduate school at WSU. David Dean, undergraduate intern David Dean graduated in May 2004 from Washington State University. He conducted research for AccessNorthwest regarding the history of the state Public Disclosure Act. John Fetters, undergraduate intern John Fetters conducted research for AccessNorthwest regarding broadcast regulations. Scott Longstreet, undergraduate intern, Web site developer Scott Longstreet designed the Web site. He majored in computer science with an emphasis in software engineering. Jen Magelky, undergraduate intern Jen Magelky graduated in December 2004 as a communication major at Washington State University. She conducted research for AccessNorthwest regarding book bans and censorship in public schools.