Office of the PresidentPresident Cantwell’s MessagesLetter to WSU CommunityWeekly UpdatePresidential Update: Latest Changes — Week of January 5, 2026

Presidential Update: Latest Changes — Week of January 5, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

As we begin settling into the new semester and a new year, January offers a moment to distill our goals and look ahead to new opportunities for learning, discovery, and impact. Across the WSU system, the progress and work underway reflects a collective focus on strengthening our institutional agility while furthering academic excellence in 2026.

Recent initiatives are helping us set the stage for what we will continue to accomplish together.

  • Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator
    Today, I joined leaders from Washington government, industry, and research institutions to celebrate the launch of the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator. The regional initiative aims to advance sustainable aviation fuels and reduce the environmental impact of air travel. Our researchers’ expertise in sustainable aviation fuel, economic analysis, and policy frameworks has positioned WSU to play a key role. This partnership highlights the university’s application of use-inspired research and innovation to tackle real-world challenges.
  • WSU Football Leadership Update
    In December, WSU announced Kirby Moore as our new Head Football Coach, marking a critical leadership transition for Cougar Football. Coach Moore brings deep ties to Washington state, an understanding of Cougar pride and our region, and a strong commitment to student-athlete development. As we prepare for competition in the new Pac‑12, his leadership is helping shape a winning culture for Cougar Football.
  • National Institute for Student Success
    During the fall semester, WSU launched an engagement with the National Institute for Student Success (NISS). NISS is the industry leader in completing data-informed evaluations of student success efforts within higher education. NISS has been working closely with us to review and analyze data on our student support mechanisms and their impact. This spring, they will conduct interviews across the system to complete their evaluation, and by the end of the academic year, we will have a comprehensive playbook of actionable recommendations ready for implementation.
  • ACUE Certification
    WSU has been selected as one of three institutions to participate in a joint program led by the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH), designed to build faculty capacity for effective teaching. Through this program, 90 faculty at WSU will have the opportunity to receive Certification in Effective Teaching. The certificate program offers comprehensive training in evidence-based teaching practices and the latest instructional trends, helping faculty enhance student engagement, improve learning outcomes, and support academic growth for all learners.
  • Faculty Workload Policy
    Throughout 2025, WSU developed, beta-tested, and finalized its first faculty Workload Policy. These new workload policies, both at the institutional level and within colleges or units, are designed to facilitate equitable workload distributions by establishing clear guidelines for the effort assigned to different tasks and commensurate expectations for this work. Faculty can expect greater recognition of their respective efforts, along with clarity on how effort is tied to their unit mission, how it is distributed within their academic unit, and how impact and productivity are tied to annual review, promotion and tenure, and merit raises.
  • WSU Redesign Update
    The WSU Redesign survey has captured feedback from 1,725 stakeholders, and your input is already guiding real progress to modernize our university. This vital work continues to move forward on schedule and within budget. To see our core charge, and a first-hand look at how we’re implementing a system-wide redesign, visit the Design Central.

Together, we will continue to build a university that provides practical support to its people, advances its mission with lasting impact, and continues to deliver for Washington state and the world.

I am grateful for all that you do and excited to see the progress we achieve this semester and year.

Sincerely,

BETSY CANTWELL
President, Washington State University