Skip to main content Skip to navigation

WSU’s Metropolitan Center for Applied Research and Extension

Washington state University Everett Building
(Bob Hubner / Washington State University)

 

All great cities want to grow their economies, steward their environment, improve the health and safety of their citizens and ensure that governments and non-profits create sound and equitable policies.

WSU’s Metropolitan Center for Applied Research and Extension (Metro Center), puts ‘the people’s university’ to work for Washington’s cities, bringing WSU’s world class expertise to help inform data driven decisions and implement change that works for our clients. Utilizing applied research, the Metro Center’s work is outcome driven and solution oriented, geared toward developing practical knowledge and place-based solutions to alleviate modern world problems.

The Metro Center clients include public officials, non-profit and private sector leaders across the state who want to engage the unbiased knowledge and research base of the land grant university to effectively address issues facing their cities.

With headquarters in downtown Seattle and at WSU’s Everett campus, our core staff bring over 30 years of collective experience working with the complex socio-political landscape of the Puget Sound region. Metro Center staff serve as the conduit between metropolitan decision makers and WSU faculty expertise across the state. This project-based and client-centered approach gives the Metro Center flexibility to respond quickly to emerging metropolitan needs, and help build capacity to create sustainable solutions for the future.

Projects

Workshops & Training

Two women during a poverty immersionPoverty Immersion

The Poverty Immersion is an interactive workshop that changes attitudes and challenges stereotypes about the working poor – paving a pathway toward professional growth and organizational transformation. Although it uses play money and fictional scenarios, the Poverty Immersion is a role play – not a game. It is a powerful experience that takes only three hours but makes a lasting impact. What you learn about poverty may surprise you.

Two people working at a deskGrant-making & Request for Proposal Development Services

WSU’s Metro Center helps non-profits, agencies, governments, and foundations create quality grant making and Request for Proposal (RFP) programs to:
– Increase the quality of the applications you receive
– Increase the efficiency of the review process
– Insure that the short-term strategies of your RFP project align with the goals of your agency

Kids working on a science projectSTEM Mentor Training

Inspire the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) professionals by becoming a confident mentor. Offered online at no charge through WSU’s Global Campus, STEM Mentor Training allows you to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.