Office of the PresidentPresident Cantwell’s MessagesLetter to WSU CommunityWeekly UpdatePresidential Update | Week of December 1, 2025

Presidential Update | Week of December 1, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

As we head into the final stretch of the semester, there’s much to celebrate. Commencement takes place this weekend in Pullman, marking an incredible milestone for hundreds of Cougs. Finals are just around the corner, and I want to acknowledge the focus and resilience it takes, whether you’re teaching, studying, grading, or supporting others behind the scenes. Thank you for all you do to help our students succeed.

  • President’s Big Ideas Initiative
    This fall, we launched the first phase of the President’s Big Ideas Initiative to accelerate WSU’s mission-driven research. We received more than 150 proposals across the system, a clear signal that our community is ready to lead. From AI-powered agriculture to wildfire resilience and clean energy testbeds, this initiative will help us forge new partnerships and unlock transformative solutions for Washington and beyond.
  • Leadership Update
    We also mark a new chapter in our commitment to Tribal engagement. Amanda Boyd has been appointed executive director of Native American Programs, bringing deep expertise from her leadership at IREACH and the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Terri Parr Wynecoop will serve as interim executive director and presidential liaison for Tribal Relations, guiding our government-to-government relationships as we launch a national search. I’m grateful to both for their leadership.
  • Final Week to Weigh In
    This is the last week to take part in the system-wide redesign survey. Please make your voice heard by December 5 and share the link with your colleagues. More than 1,150 university and community members have already contributed valuable insights. This survey is a crucial step in reimagining how we work together, invest in our people and programs, and deliver on our land-grant mission. Your input will directly shape the path ahead. This week the redesign effort continued at WSU Spokane, where faculty, staff, students, and community leaders gathered to share ideas and priorities for WSU’s future.

These steps are early markers of a WSU system ready to lead with purpose, partnership, and impact.

Let’s keep building.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Cantwell
President, Washington State University