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Washington State University Office of the Provost

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Dean, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

Wendy Powers named dean of WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

Wendy Powers, an experienced leader who guides statewide agricultural research and extension for the University of California division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has been named the new Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

WSU Provost and Executive Vice President Elizabeth Chilton announced Powers’ selection on April 25, 2022, following a national search. Dean Powers will join the college, referred to at WSU by the acronym CAHNRS, on August 15, 2022.

To view the press release, please click here.

Washington State University (WSU), a distinguished research and land-grant university, seeks a visionary and experienced leader to serve as the Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). The Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean is a highly visible and influential leader in agricultural, human, and natural resource sciences in the State of Washington, nationally, and around the globe. CAHNRS serves the diverse and varied communities, businesses, agriculture systems, natural resources, and landscapes of the State of Washington, and it also leads our extensive extension programs across the state.

The Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences is responsible for the academic and administrative oversight of the college and reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President. The Dean provides leadership and vision in strategic planning and implementation of programs and leads College development activities. WSU seeks an entrepreneurial Dean with high academic standards; an outstanding record of research; dedication to strong undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral education; a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and an ability to represent the College externally to local, national, and international constituencies. Candidates for the position should have an earned doctorate, a record consistent with appointment as a full professor in a College department, relevant administrative experience, and national stature.

For more information about the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, please visit: http://cahnrs.wsu.edu.

Candidate Presentation Schedule

We are pleased to announce four finalists will visit Washington State University during the weeks of March 21 and March 28. The WSU community is encouraged to attend each finalist’s presentation which will outline their vision for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences. Time will also be reserved for question-and-answer following the presentation.  The presentations will be limited to current WSU faculty, staff, and student participation.  Presentations will be recorded and available for 72 hours following the respective visit.

*Finalists’ names, biographies, and curriculum vitae will be released 72 hours before the respective visit.  

  • Finalist #1 – Laura Lavine (Professor and Chair, Department of Entomology, Washington State University)
    Biography; Curriculum Vitae
    March 21 from 8:30 – 9:30 AM (Pacific)

    • Live Stream Information
      • Visit www.experience.wsu.edu
      • Click on the event titled, “CAHNRS Dean Finalist – Candidate Presentation” in the right sidebar
      • Enter WSU username and password to access; the livestream will start at 8:30 AM (Pacific)
      • To submit questions during the event, participants must be logged into their YouTube account.  To submit questions prior to the event, please send to provost@wsu.edu.
  • Finalist #2 (Presentation cancelled as finalist has withdrawn)
  • Finalist #3 – Jon Boren (Associate Dean & Director Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University)
    Biography; Curriculum Vitae
    March 30 from 8:30 – 9:30 AM (Pacific)

    • Live Stream Information
      • Visit www.experience.wsu.edu
      • Click on the event titled, “CAHNRS Dean Finalist – Candidate Presentation” in the right sidebar
      • Enter WSU username and password to access; the livestream will start at 8:30 AM (Pacific)
      • To submit questions during the event, participants must be logged into their YouTube account.  To submit questions prior to the event, please send to provost@wsu.edu.
  • Finalist #4 – Wendy Powers (Associate Vice President, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California)
    Biography; Curriculum Vitae
    March 31 from 8:30 – 9:30 AM (Pacific)

    • Live Stream Information
      • Visit www.experience.wsu.edu
      • Click on the event titled, “CAHNRS Dean Finalist – Candidate Presentation” in the right sidebar
      • Enter WSU username and password to access; the livestream will start at 8:30 AM (Pacific)
      • To submit questions during the event, participants must be logged into their YouTube account.  To submit questions prior to the event, please send to provost@wsu.edu.

Feedback Regarding Finalists

At the conclusion of each visit, we strongly encourage you to submit your feedback regarding each finalist. Your input is important and will be considered carefully as the next Dean for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences is selected. Please click here to complete the feedback survey. The survey will close at 12:00 PM (noon; Pacific) on Tuesday, April 5. Survey feedback is anonymous and confidential. Comments will only be made available to Provost Chilton.

Opportunity and Challenge Profile

To view the opportunity and challenge profile for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences’ Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean search, please click here.

Search Advisory Committee

  • Dori Borjesson, College of Veterinary Medicine (Chair)
  • Stephen Bramwell, Extension Director, Thurston County Extension Office
  • Luz María Gordillo, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
  • Jay Gordon, Federation Representative, Washington State Dairy Federation
  • Ines Hanrahan, Executive Director, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission
  • Laura Hill, Senior Vice Provost, Office of the Provost
  • Scot Hulbert, Regents Professor, Department of Plant Pathology
  • Manoj Karkee, Associate Professor, Biological Systems Engineering
  • Helmut Kirchhoff, Associate Professor, Institute of Biological Chemistry
  • Rich Koenig, Interim Dean, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
  • Chad Kruger, Director, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center & Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • Dorrie Main, Interim Chair and Professor, Department of Horticulture
  • Jill McCluskey , Director and Regents Professor, School of Economic Sciences
  • Mike Miller, Commission Representative, Washington State Grain Commission
  • Holly Neibergs, Professor, Department of Animal Sciences
  • Carolyn Ross, Professor, School of Food Science
  • Brandon Schrand, Interim Director of Communications, CAHNRS Communications
  • Don Shearer, Senior Associate Vice President, Washington State University Foundation
  • Elizabeth Weybright, Associate Professor, Department of Human Development

Search Firm

The national executive search firm of Isaacson, Miller has been selected to assist Washington State University in its search for the next College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Dean. As one of the country’s premier executive search firms, Isaacson, Miller has more than 37 years of experience in recruiting senior leaders for some of the top visual and performing arts and cultural organizations, academic medical centers, healthcare institutions, foundations, preK-12 education and education improvement organizations, colleges and universities, social justice advocacy groups, conservation and environment organizations, human services providers, and other mission-driven organizations that make a difference in people’s lives. For more information regarding Isaacson, Miller, please click here.

Questions

Please contact the Office of the Provost at (509) 335-5581 and ask for Kristina Peterson-Wilson, Chief of Staff.

Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action educator and employer. Members of ethnic minorities, women, disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently-separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability, and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply. WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility.