Presidential Update: Latest Changes — Week of March 23, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

As we welcome students back from spring break, we are moving closer to the end of the academic year with a clear set of priorities for Washington State University. We are honing and aligning university leadership, investing in our highest impact areas, and strategically expanding our partnerships internally and externally.

My focus remains on propelling this work forward so our students and system can thrive in a rapidly changing world and continue to deliver on our land-grant mission.

• Leadership Update: Executive Director and Presidential Liaison for Tribal relations
  I announced the appointment of Terri Parr Wynecoop as Executive Director and Presidential Liaison for Tribal relations during the Native America Advisory Board meeting earlier this month. This appointment formalized her leadership after serving in the interim role. As WSU’s senior leader for government-to-government engagement with Tribal Nations, Parr will continue to sustain and advance WSU’s commitment to its land-grant mission and meaningful collaboration with the Tribal Nations.
• President’s Big Ideas Research Awardees
  In collaboration with WSU Vice President for Research Kim Christen, WSU has awarded funding to 10 research projects through the President’s Big Ideas Initiative while establishing a new $2 million annual Strategic Research Investment Fund to support long-term research priorities. Selected from a highly competitive pool of proposals across the system, the projects span disciplines including nuclear science and neurocognitive health, reflecting WSU’s focus on high-impact, solutions-driven research. Find the full list of awardees focused on AI, agriculture, behavioral health and more.
• Global Summit Recap
  The WSU Global Summit: Converge and Catalyze capped off its inaugural event earlier this month with in‑person and virtual participation reaching over 1,000 registrants across the WSU community. Insightful panels with leaders in industry from Google, Adobe, Microsoft and experts from fellow higher-education institutions showcased our ability to be a leader in addressing the state of disruption facing higher education and technology. The success of WSU’s inaugural Global Summit highlights the scale and potential for opportunities to expand partnerships with industry and better prepare our students for the future of work.
• Budget Update Planned
  The Washington Legislature has completed the state budgets for the 2026 session, and the next step is action by the governor, who may sign the budgets, issue partial vetoes, or allow them to become law. Gov. Bob Ferguson has 20 days after adjournment (excluding Sundays) to take action, following the Legislature’s March 12 adjournment. Once enacted, I will message the system with an update on final allocations for WSU.

The moment of disruption we are facing heightens the need for collaboration and the active exchange of knowledge across our campuses. How effectively we do that will define our ability to move forward as a system and deliver on our mission.

Thank you for your continued commitment and dedication to WSU.

Sincerely,

BETSY CANTWELL
President, Washington State University