Presidential Update: Latest Changes — Week of April 6, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

April marks one year since I joined Washington State University. Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to listen, learn, and engage with many amazing people in the communities across our system and the state.

This has helped me better understand both the strengths we can continue to build on and some of the challenges we must address to continue thriving as an institution. What is clear is that WSU is moving forward, and I will continue taking deliberate steps to advance our land-grant mission.

• Leadership Update: Executive Vice President for WSUstatewide campuses appointed
  Sandra Haynes has been appointed as executive vice presidentfor WSU statewide campuses. As part of her new position, Sandra has assumed oversight of the Everett campus in addition to her leadership of the Tri‑Cities and Vancouver campuses. This position will enable WSU to modernize its organizational structure to match current enrollment patterns, financial realities, and academic priorities. Sandra has been an essential resource and leader for alignment and coordination across the WSU system. I look forward to her continued leadership in this expanded role.
  
  Paul Pitre has transitioned from his role as chancellor ofWSU Everett and will be returning to the faculty, concluding a period of leadership that helped shape the campus into a student-centered institution aligned with the needs of the North Puget Sound.
• Leadership Update: Athletic Director named
  I have appointed Jon Haarlow as vice president and director ofathletics. His leadership serving as interim director over the past several months has helped advance key priorities for Cougar Athletics while supporting our student-athletes and positioning WSU for the transition to the new Pac‑12. His appointment provides continuity at an important moment and reinforces our commitment to building an athletics program that will compete and win.
• One Health Clinic
  I visited the One Health Clinic in Seattle with UW PresidentRobert J. Jones this week, showcasing a joint presidential visit of Washington’s research universities at the community-based clinic. This partnership between the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine and UW School of Public Health was created to reduce barriers for underserved communities by creating a single setting for connected healthcare services for both people and their animals.

As an institution, we have made meaningful progress, and there is more work ahead. We are building the foundation for the next phase of WSU’s future, and that work is already underway.

Thank you for your continued commitment to WSU.

Sincerely,

BETSY CANTWELL
President, Washington State University