August 2026

Julie Akers, interim dean of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has been appointed dean, effective Sept. 1. Akers, who is also a scholarly career-track professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy, previously served as executive associate dean for the college before assuming the interim dean role. Her appointment follows a comprehensive internal review and a series of meetings with external stakeholders. “I am excited to have Julie continue leading the College on its upward trajectory,” said Provost and Executive Vice President Chris Riley-Tillman. “Julie is a thoughtful and engaged leader whose extensive experience in both academia and industry is a tremendous asset to Washington State University.”

Samantha (Sam) Swindell has been named Washington State University’s vice provost for undergraduate education and will begin a phased transition into the role Sept. 21. The Office of the Provost announced the new position earlier this summer to underscore the central role of student success in WSU’s future and to strengthen the university’s ability to fulfill its land-grant mission. A Coug alumna, Swindell has dedicated nearly three decades to WSU and currently serves as associate dean for undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. As vice provost for undergraduate education, Swindell will help shape the academic experience for undergraduate students across WSU.

Many members of the Washington State University community have reached out over the past few days asking about colleagues, students, friends, and family in the Spokane region. We are grateful for your concern and for the many offers of support. It is a powerful reminder of what it means to be Cougs Helping Cougs. If you have been impacted by the fires or know someone who has, WSU has assembled a centralized collection of support resources, including information for students, faculty and staff on emergency assistance, food resources, counseling, and other services.