Champion Business Leader

Dr. Shari McMahan - Eastern Wasthington University

Dr. Shari McMahan is the President at Eastern Washington University. She believes the Commute Smart program at Eastern Washington University aligns with their commitment to sustainability, community engagement and supporting the well-being of their faculty and staff.

EWU provides fully subsidized transit and Rideshare fares, secured bike storage, showers, lockers, an Emergency Ride Home program as well as offering compressed work schedules and teleworking opportunities.

Dr. McMahan believes their Commute Smart program offers benefits like cost savings on gas, reduced stress from driving on the freeways during our winter weather, as well as an opportunity to lead healthier, more active lifestyles for those who bike or walk to work. She sets a great example by using her Eagle ID to ride the bus in and around Cheney and Spokane.

In 2024 alone, EWU’s transit ridership reduced nearly 530,000 trips off Spokane County roads and their STA Rideshare vehicles removed nearly 250,000 miles.

Dr. McMahan says, “Here at EWU we are proud to be reducing our carbon footprint, easing congestion in Cheney and demonstrating leadership for environmental stewardship.”