January 2026

As many of you may have seen in the update from President Cantwell, WSU is starting the new year with the anticipation of further significant reductions as outlined in the proposed state budget. While this news is not what we had hoped for, we are actively engaged with our academic deans and chancellors to develop budgets and prepare for our annual budget hearings that will be held in March. As promised in my end‑of‑year message, I’m writing to share an update on a few key initiatives the Provost’s Office will be prioritizing this spring. I’ve asked my team to keep their attention on three core goals: enhancing and modernizing the student experience, strengthening our support and recognition of faculty, and increasing our operational efficiencies.

We’re back in full swing and excited for the spring 2026 semester. Last week, we welcomed 70 nursing students to the Spokane campus and had the privilege of meeting them during orientation. Hearing their stories about why they chose Washington State University to pursue their nursing education was truly inspiring. These interactions remind us how fortunate we are to work for a land-grant institution that values access and opportunity and is committed to serving the entire state of Washington. Despite the changes we navigated last semester, our mission remains clear: serving the state’s healthcare needs, celebrating successes, and communicating the impact of our graduates on communities and the economy. Our community-based health sciences enterprise is unique—and irreplaceable.