Messages from the Provost

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.

Catherine “Katie” Cooper has been selected as Washington State University’s next vice provost for faculty affairs and development, following a comprehensive internal search. Cooper currently serves as associate dean for faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences and as an associate professor in the School of the Environment, receiving full professorship this summer. She will succeed outgoing senior vice provost Doug Call, who announced plans to return to the faculty this spring.

Vice Provost Romando Nash has stepped into the leadership role overseeing student affairs in Spokane. Following further assessment and consultation with campus and university leadership, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management have moved to separate reporting structures under Romando and Saichi Oba (vice provost for enrollment management), respectively. This alignment allows us to better leverage the distinct expertise within each area while maintaining strong collaboration across teams.

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.

During the spring semester, the Provost’s Office will host a meeting for deans, chairs, and directors with the AAPO steering committee, which will serve as a critical initial discussion during the first phase. Academic leadership will be asked to share the initial discussion with their respective faculty and return feedback to the steering committee. Additional meetings will be hosted throughout the academic year to ensure meaningful feedback is obtained.

Washington State University (WSU) Provost’s Office will initiate the first phase of an Academic Affairs Program Optimization (AAPO) process in collaboration with Finance and Administration’s Strategic Program Review and Resource Reallocation process during the 2024-2025 academic year. As the entire higher education industry re-evaluates its enterprise and opportunities for evolution, it is imperative that the […]

Dear faculty and staff colleagues, The start of a semester is an exciting time for our students. It can also be challenging—especially for those beginning their first semester at WSU. You may encounter students who need extra support. We want to share some of WSU’s key student resources that you can use and pass along […]