April 19, 2024
Dear WSU community,
As the 2023–24 academic year comes to a close, I am completing my eighth year serving
as president of Washington State University. Noel and I were formally introduced to WSU in
March of 2016 and have thoroughly enjoyed leading our university since that time.
I informed the WSU Regents in June 2023 that it was time to start formally
planning for my retirement as WSU President. After significant discussion last fall
with the Board of Regents and professional colleagues, I informed the board of my intention
to step down as WSU President effective June 2025. Today, I am partnering with the
Board of Regents to announce my retirement and formally initiate the search for my successor.
A successful transition in leadership takes time and careful planning, and I want to ensure
that the WSU community and Board of Regents have plenty of time to conduct a national
search for the 12th President of Washington State University. The opportunity to serve as
president at WSU will be a highly sought-after position that will attract experienced, nationally
recognized thought leaders in public higher education.
As I reflect on my time as WSU president, I am proud of the many positive achievements
we have accomplished together. We have successfully funded and launched the Elson S. Floyd
College of Medicine; seen record levels of philanthropic giving supporting faculty, staff, and
students; and have enjoyed unparalleled success across Cougar Athletics — both on the field
and in the classroom. I am a strong believer in hiring talented leaders and giving them the
opportunities to thrive and grow — and am proud of assembling a dynamic group of chancellors,
deans, and vice presidents.
Over this next academic year, I will focus my time and energy on stabilizing our enrollment,
initiating a system‑wide strategic administrative and programmatic review, determining a
long‑term home for Cougar Athletics, and continuing to aggressively fundraise as part of
our current comprehensive fundraising campaign.
At the conclusion of my time as president, I will be taking a year of leave to do some writing
and mentoring of leaders in public higher education. My plan is to remain in Washington and to
support my successor as they seek to lead WSU to greater heights in the coming years. Noel plans to
continue her work as inaugural Director of the Institute for Northwest Energy Futures on the
WSU Tri‑Cities campus, and we both look forward to continued interactions with Cougs
throughout the state of Washington and beyond.
It has been an incredible honor and the highlight of my career to serve at WSU. I look forward
to the year ahead.
Go Cougs,
Kirk
Kirk H. Schulz
System President
Washington State University
