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2026 APAC Elections

2026 APAC Election Application Form

Nomination for a position on the WSU Administrative Professional Advisory Council
  • Please enter your primary WSU work location
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

APAC Elections

APAC Council Positions Available:

Executive Team:
  • Chair: 1-year term
  • Vice-Chair: 1-year term
  • Treasurer: 1-year term
Pullman:
  • 1 council seat term ending 6/30/27
  • 1 council seat term ending 6/30/28
  • 2 alternate seats term ending 6/30/27
Tri-Cities:
  • 1 council seat term ending 6/30/29
  • 1 alternate seat term ending 6/30/27
Vancouver:
  • 1 council seat term ending 6/30/29
  • 1 alternate seat term ending 6/30/27
Process:
  1. Nominations of potential Council Members and Alternates will be accepted through Friday, April 10, 2026, at 5:00 pm
  2. Names of nominees will be submitted in writing to the APAC Office via form below.
  3. The APAC will hold an nomination review session following the close of nominations.
  4. The APAC Principal Assistant will ensure that all voting Council Members receive a copy of the nominations for review prior to the nomination review session.
  5. In the nomination review session, the APAC council will review all nominees and vote on a list of names for recommendation of appointment to Council Member positions.
  6. List of recommended names for appointment will be forwarded to HRS for review and the APAC Principal Assistant will extend the final appointments in writing upon completion of HRS review.
  7. The new Council members and Alternates will be invited to attend the first regularly scheduled Council meeting after receiving their written notice of appointment.

2026 APAC Election Application Form

Nomination for a position on the WSU Administrative Professional Advisory Council
  • Please enter your primary WSU work location
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

APAC Meeting Agendas

March 10, 2026

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Smith Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 518 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 9:oo am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00 am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2.  Guest Speaker Presentation: Regent Jenette Ramos, Celebrating Women in Leadership Roles
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair, Amy Robbins
  4. Committee Updates:
    1. Budget report
    2. Access & Opportunity
    3. Election & Bylaws
    4. Professional Development & Events
    5. Marketing & Communication
  5. APAC Business:
    1. Information Items:
      1. Updated APAC Bylaws Article I Name and Personnel
  6. Constituent Concerns:
  7. Meeting Ajourned:

February 10, 20265

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Smith Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 518 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00 am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Guest Speaker Presentations:
    1. Speaker #1 Lesa McPeak – Digital Accessibility Update –
    2. Speaker #2 Kerri Davidson –
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair, Amy Robbins
  4. Committee Updates:
    1. Budget report
    2. Access & Opportunity
    3. Election & Bylaws
    4. Professional Development & Events
    5. Marketing & Communication
  5. APAC Business:
    1. Discussion Items
    2. Information Items: (Items recently passed by APAC Council)
      1. Updated Articles
        1. APAC Bylaws Article II Updates – clean copy
        2. APAC Bylaws Article VII Vacancies – clean copy
  6. Constituent Concerns:
  7. Meeting Adjourned:

January 13, 2026

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Smith Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 518 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00 am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Approval of APAC December 9, 2025 meeting minutes (PDF)
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair, Amy Robbins
    1. Welcome new council members
      • Pullman:
        1. Georgina Ramos-Avalos, Residence Hall Operations Coordinator
        2. Allison Rockwell, CCE Service Learning Coordinator
        3. Daniel Schenk, Assistant Director, Resident Life
      • Tri-Cities:
        1. Scott Tomren, Director of Campus Safety & Security
        2. Desiree Urban, Purchasing Services Coordinator
    2. Alternate member seats
      • Pullman:
        1. Francisco Aguilar, Confidential Secretary, Foundation
        2. Morgan Harp, Program Specialist, CAS
  4. Committee Updates:
    1. Budget report
    2. Access & Opportunity
    3. Election & Bylaws
    4. Professional Development & Events
    5. Marketing & Communication
  5. APAC Business:
    1. Discussion Items:
    2. Action Items:
  6. Speaker Presentation (9:30 am) – Cody Wilson, Director, WSU Transportation Services
  7. Constituent Concerns:
  8. Meeting Adjourned:

December 9, 2025

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Smith Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 518 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. Speaker Presentation (9:00 am) – President Elizabeth Cantwell
  2. 9:30 am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  3. Approval of APAC November 18, 2025 meeting minutes (PDF)
  4. APAC Report – APAC Chair, Amy Robbins
  5. Committee Updates:
    1. Budget report
    2. Access & Opportunity
    3. Election & Bylaws
    4. Professional Development & Events
    5. Marketing & Communication
  6. APAC Business:
    1. Discussion Items:
  7. Constituent Concerns:
  8. Meeting Adjourned:

November 18, 2025

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Smith Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 518 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00 am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Approval of APAC October 14, 2025 meeting minutes (PDF)
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair, Amy Robbins
  4. Committee Updates:
    1. Budget report
    2. Access & Opportunity
    3. Election & Bylaws
    4. Professional Development & Events
    5. Marketing & Communication
  5. Speaker Presentation (9:30 am) – Julian C. Ankney, Director of Native American Programs and Co-Director of the Visiting Writers Series at WSU Vancouver
  6. Constituent Concerns:
  7. Meeting Adjourned:

October 14, 2025

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Smith Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 518 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00 am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Approval of APAC September 9, 2025 meeting minutes (PDF)
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair, Amy Robbins
  4. Committee Updates:
    1. Budget report
    2. Access & Opportunity
    3. Election & Bylaws
    4. Professional Development & Events
    5. Marketing & Communication
  5. Speaker Presentation (9:45 am) – Keela Ruppenthall, IT Security Consultant
  6. Constituent Concerns:
  7. Meeting Adjourned:

September 9, 2025

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Smith Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 518 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  1. Welcome & Introductions – APAC Chair, Amy Robbins
    1. Executive leadership introductions
    2. Principal Assistant introduction
    3. All APAC voting member introductions
  2. APAC Report – APAC Chair, Amy Robbins
    1. APAC retreat update
    2. Monthly meeting schedule
  3. Committee Updates

    1. Budget Report ​
    2. Diversity Equity & Inclusion Report
      1. Request to change committee name to “Access and Opportunity Committee”
    3. Election & Bylaw Report ​
    4. Professional Development & Events Committee Report
    5. Marketing & Communications Report ​
  4. Speaker Presentation (9:45 am) – President Elizabeth Cantwell
  5. Constituent Concerns
  6. Meeting Adjourned

Fall 2024 – Spring 2025

May 13, 2025 – Agenda

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Office of Shared Governance room 344B and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Welcome & Introductions:
  3. APAC Report – APAC Vice-Chair Kasi Balmforth
    1. FY25 Year in review
    2. FY26 APAC meeting calendar
  4. Committee Updates
    1. Budget
    2. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    3. Election & Bylaws
    4. Professional Development & Events
    5. Marketing & Communications
  5. New Business:
    1. Open council positions – Tri-Cities
  6. Constituent Concerns:
  7. Meeting Adjourned: 

April 8, 2025 – Agenda

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 9:00 am via Zoom

 Please note: To facilitate a smooth transition for the APAC Council and the 2025/2026 council candidates, the April APAC meeting will be conducted exclusively via Zoom.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Welcome & Introductions:
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair Tony Burt
  4. Committee Updates
    1. Budget
    2. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    3. Election & Bylaws
      1. 2025/2026 APAC Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer (Officers) and general council member candidates announced
    4. Professional Development & Events
      1. Monthly photo contest – March theme “Lucky shot”, that once in a lifetime photo
        1. March theme “Lucky shot” winner –
      2. AP Appreciation week April 21st – 25th with award ceremony on “National Administrative Professionals Day”
        1. Pullman CUB Jr. Ballroom 12:00pm – 1:30 pm (ceremony 12:00pm – 1:00pm)
      3. Marketing & Communications
  5. Constituent Concerns
  6. Meeting Adjourned: 

March 11, 2025 – Agenda

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 518 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Welcome & Introductions:
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair Tony Burt
  4. Committee Updates
    1. Budget
    2. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    3. Election & Bylaws –
      1. APAC Bylaws updated 2024, redline version
      2. APAC Bylaws updated 2024, clean version
      3. Updates to APAC Bylaws presentation
    4. Professional Development & Events Committee
      1. Monthly photo contest – March theme “Lucky Shot” (that once in a lifetime photo you captured)
      2. Photo contest winners to date:
        1. November “Cougs fall back into School”
        2. December “Cougs enjoy the holidays”
        3. January “Winter Wonderland”
        4. February “Love and Friendship”
      3. AP Appreciation week April 21st – 25th with award ceremony on “National Administrative Professionals Day” April 23, 2025, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm in the Pullman CUB Jr. Ballroom
      4. AP Awards April 23, 2024,  Ceremony from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm in the Pullman CUB Jr. Ballroom.  Check with your local APAC representative for campus event locations.
    5. Marketing & Communications
  5. Speaker presentation (9:15 am) – Dr. Lisa Guerrero, Vice Provost for Equity and Inclusive Excellence
  6. Constituent Concerns
  7. Meeting Adjourned

February 11, 2025 – Agenda

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 518 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Welcome & Introductions:
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair Tony Burt
  4. Committee Updates
    1. Budget
    2. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    3. Election & Bylaws – Proposed updates to APAC Guidelines
    4. Professional Development & Events Committee
      1. Monthly photo contest – February theme “WSU Love & Friendship”
      2. AP Awards
      3. AP Appreciation week April 21st – 25th with ceremony on “National Administrative Professionals Day” April 23, 2025, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm in the CUB Jr. Ballroom
    5. Marketing & Communications
  5. Speaker presentation (9:15 am) – WSU Legislative Update
  6. Constituent Concerns
  7. Meeting Adjourned

January 14, 2025 – Agenda

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 518 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Welcome & Introductions:
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair Tony Burt
    1. Tony will present at the next Board of Regents meeting on January 24,2025
  4. Committee Updates
    1. Budget
    2. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    3. Election & Bylaws – Proposed updates to APAC Guidelines
    4. Professional Development & Events Committee
      1. Monthly photo contest – January theme “Winter Wonderland”
      2. AP Awards
        1. Award nominations open March 3, 2025
        2. Award nominations close April 3, 2025
        3. Award winners announced April 17, 2025
      3. AP Appreciation week April 21st – 25th with ceremony on “National Administrative Professionals Day” April 23, 2025, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm in the CUB Jr. Ballroom
    5. Marketing & Communications
  5. Speaker presentation (9:15 am) – Update from all campus Chancellors
  6. Constituent Concerns
  7. Meeting Adjourned

December 10, 2024 – Agenda

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 518 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Welcome & Introductions:
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair Tony Burt
    1. Tony will present at the next scheduled BoR meeting on January 23, 2025
  4. Committee Updates
    1. Budget
    2. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    3. Election & Bylaw
    4. Professional Development & Events Committee
    5. Marketing & Communications
  5. Speaker presentation (9:15 am) – Rob Crossler, Professor and Chair, Carson College of Business – Ethical use of AI
  6. Constituent Concerns
  7. Meeting Adjourned

November 12, 2024 – Agenda

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 518 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Welcome & Introductions:
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair Tony Burt
    1. Tony will present to BoR on November 15, 2024
  4. Committee Updates
    1. Budget
    2. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    3. Election & Bylaw
    4. Professional Development & Events Committee
    5. Marketing & Communications
  5. Speaker presentation (9:15 am) – Greg Mennegar, Washington Productivity Board Manager
  6. Constituent Concerns
  7. Meeting Adjourned

October 8, 2024 – Agenda

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman French Ad Building 405 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Welcome & Introductions:
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair Tony Burt
    1. Tony presented to BoR on September 20, 2024
  4. Committee Updates: 
    1. Budget Committee
    2. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
    3. Election & Bylaw Committee
    4. Professional Development & Events Committee
    5. Marketing & Communications Committee
  5. Speaker Presentation (9:15 am) – Ann Monroe, Director of Human Resources
  6. Constituent Concerns:
  7. Meeting Adjourned:

September 10, 2024

The Administrative Professional Advisory Council will meet in the Pullman French Ad Building 405 and virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 9:00am.

JOIN THE APAC ZOOM MEETING

As an alternative, you may participate in the APAC Meeting via the YouTube Live Stream once the the APAC Zoom link reaches participant capacity.

AGENDA

  1. 9:00am – Call to order
    1. Attendance
    2. This meeting is being recorded and can be accessed through the APAC agenda online
    3. If you wish to share, please raise your had using the reactions tool
    4. Closed captioning is available
  2. Welcome & Introductions – APAC Chair, Tony Burt
    1. Executive leadership introductions
    2. Principal Assistant introduction
    3. All APAC voting member introductions
  3. APAC Report – APAC Chair, Tony Burt
    1. APAC retreat update
    2. Monthly meeting schedule update
    3. AP salary increase
    4. Listening sessions for Presidential search
      1. WSU Everett Faculty & Staff session September 11, 2024 at 1:00 pm – Rm 101
      2. WSU Spokane Faculty & Staff session September 16, 2024 at 1:00 pm – SNRS 205
      3. WSU Pullman Faculty & Staff session September 17, 2024 at 12:00 pm and September 18, 2024 at 4:00 pm – CUB Jr. Ballroom, Rm 212
  4. Committee Updates

    1. Budget Report ​
    2. Diversity Equity & Inclusion Report
    3. Election & Bylaw Report ​
    4. Professional Development & Events Committee Report
    5. Marketing & Communications Report ​
  5. Constituent Concerns
  6. Meeting Adjourned

AP Appreciation Week Event – Recordings

AP Appreciation Awards Ceremony

AP Appreciation Awards Ceremony
Zoom Link Embedded

Did you miss us on April 23rd at 12:00 pm to celebrate the invaluable contributions of administrative professionals across the WSU system! In honor of National Administrative Professionals Day, we recognized six outstanding award winners for their dedication and excellence. 

You can watch the award ceremony at your convenience, link embedded.

 

 

SmartHealth | Ann Monroe, Director, Benefit Services 

SmartHealth Webinar
Zoom Link Embedded
 Get to Know the SmartHealth Benefits and how you can Earn the $125 Wellness Incentive!
The SmartHealth Program provides activities and resources that can help you on your Wellness Journey, focusing on a variety of topics associated with the various aspects of wellbeing – physical, financial, social, emotional, and spiritual  While address your own self-care, you can earn points that will help you earn a $125 Wellness Incentive. 
Other Wellness activities:
State Parks Activity: The state parks will be running their “State Parks” activities beginning June 1, 2025 through November 30, 2025. Stay tuned for more information as it is available.
Financial Wellness: 
There will be webinars starting May 1, 2025 highlighting financial wellness 
 

Webinars will begin on October 1, 2025 called “Decode your paystub” to help you make sure all deductions/contributions/abbreviations/etc. are correct prior to open enrollment.

The History of Earth Day and the Climate of the Goldilocks Planet

Speakers:
Allyson Beal King, Director of the school of the Environment
Julie Menard, Assistant Professor, School of the Environment
The History of Earth Day and the Climate of the Goldilocks Planet
Zoom Link Embedded

U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson is known as the Father of Earth Day. He said Earth Day, April 22, was designed to bring to national attention the deterioration of our environment and the mindless dissipation of our resources. Earth Day 1970 had an overwhelming response and resulted in 10 years of legislative changes that protected the environment in the United States. Earth Day 1970 did not, however, bring legislation to effectively address the carbon pollution causing climate change. 

Researchers across multiple sciences are helping people understand impacts, and how to adapt and mitigate carbon pollution. The second part of this talk will describe how understanding other planets helps us better understand our own. Venus and Mars are our neighbors in the Solar System. They have volcanoes and an atmosphere, same as the Earth. The surface of Venus is very hot, the surface of Mars is very cold, and the surface of the Earth is somewhere in the middle. Why the big differences in climates?  How does that knowledge help us better understand and preserve our planet and its lifeforms, humans included?