Office of the PresidentPresident Cantwell’s MessagesLetter to WSU CommunityWeekly UpdatePresidential Update: Latest Changes — Week of October 13

Presidential Update: Latest Changes — Week of October 13

Dear Colleagues,

As we continue building a stronger, more connected Washington State University, I’ve been engaging with partners across the state to deepen relationships and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

Last Week

  • To help sustain and accelerate WSU’s research enterprise, the Office of Research and I launched the President’s Big Ideas Initiative, a mission-aligned investment strategy designed to amplify WSU’s influence. This initiative includes three major funding tracks, each aligned with WSU’s core strengths and the state’s most urgent needs. For more information or to submit proposals, please visit the President’s Big Ideas Initiative website.
  • The WSU System-wide Redesign process has officially begun. WSU is embarking on a system-wide redesign effort to explore how its five statewide campuses, global campus, and 39 county-based extension offices can be more effectively aligned to meet the evolving needs of students, communities, and the state of Washington. The effort reflects WSU’s commitment to strengthening its land-grant mission, enhancing impact, and creating a more responsive and resilient system. An intensive discovery design session was held recently in Pullman to begin the first phase of this effort by the Co‑Design Council — a diverse group of WSU leaders, faculty, and staff working together to create the university’s system-wide redesign through dialogue, experimentation, and shared vision.
  • We are reimagining the Presidential listening sessions to strategically align with the system-wide redesign effort. To allow this rigorous, data-driven process to organically unfold, I will postpone my listening sessions to 2026. A public survey will be issued soon to gain your feedback in the system-wide redesign process. In the meantime, you can sign up to receive the survey once it’s available, visit the public website, Design Central, for more information and share your insights as you consider WSU’s future by completing the feedback form.

This Week

  • Washington State University and Northwest Public Broadcasting leadership announced plans to reduce Northwest Public Broadcasting’s annual operating costs by $1.8 million. These measures will allow Northwest Public Broadcasting to remain financially stable while still delivering on its mission of creating and serving a more informed public. Read more about the cost reduction measures.
  • With the recent leadership changes at WSU Spokane, the Provost’s Office is conducting an internal search for a Senior Vice Provost for Health Sciences, who will report to Provost Chris Riley-Tillman. For more information, visit the Senior Vice Provost for Health Sciences search website.

I encourage you to visit the New Chapter website for updates on institutional changes and ongoing initiatives shaping our future.

Thank you for your continued dedication to WSU’s mission. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected university system for the next generation.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Cantwell
President, Washington State University