As I travel across Washington and experience firsthand the amazing work taking place throughout our college, I often ask colleagues a simple question: Are you receiving my blog? “From the Ground Up,” published every other week, offers a direct window into what’s transpiring across CAHNRS, WSU, and our state, and importantly, why it matters to you and the communities we serve. Clean and consistent communication helps us understand where we are, and the direction we are going together. My hope is that as many members of the CAHNRS community as possible stay connected to this shared narrative and direction.
Going forward, my communications team plans to broadcast this blog to all team members of the college. Should you feel it is not relevant to your work, you may of course unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of the email. That said, I strongly encourage everyone to try out this accessible, periodic resource as a way to stay informed and engaged with updates from the dean.
As a member of the WSU Systemwide Co-Design Council, I took part in the most recent Systemwide Redesign workshop, held January 28-30 on the Spokane campus. During this session, we engaged deeply with insights gathered from more than 1,700 individuals representing a range of stakeholders, including students, staff, faculty, alumni, industry, and community members. President Cantwell’s office guided the council through a series of thought-provoking questions to help us distill this extensive feedback into a clear, actionable vision. Questions such as, “How might we activate each regional campus into a workforce engine for the local economy?” and “How might a future WSU system be the best in a changing world?” challenged us to think boldly about the role and reach of our institution. The council is excited to envision what the future holds for WSU. Our next workshop is planned for April 9-10, with the final action plan set to come out mid-year. I encourage you to follow our progress through the Design Central website.
On February 2, I visited the School of Economic Sciences (SES), where I met with outstanding faculty and learned more about their impactful work spanning game theory, risk management, international economics and trade, labor and agricultural economics, global health, and many other fields. There is an incredible breadth of expertise in this unique school.
SES also distinguishes itself through student success—offering the nation’s tenth most popular online economics degree, requiring an internship of every student, and producing graduates whose median salaries rival and often exceed those of graduates from peer institutions. Thank you to Regents Professor and Director Jill McCluskey for her thoughtful leadership of the school and expert facilitation of an engaging and informative meeting.
On February 3, during a visit to Olympia, I had the opportunity to meet with Ninth Legislative District State Senator Mark Schoesler and his colleague Senator Perry Dozier of the Sixteenth Legislative District. Senator Schoesler graciously welcomed me to the members-only dining area of the Capitol Building. He has been an outstanding supporter of CAHNRS agricultural research. Our discussion provided a valuable opportunity to share updates on our work and priorities, and it was encouraging to see genuine interest in and understanding of our mission. I appreciate the engagement and openness of both senators as we continue to strengthen connections that support the future of agricultural research and education in Washington.
Next, I traveled north to visit the WSU Breadlab in Burlington, Washington. This nationally unique lab is a jewel in our crown! Under the leadership of Kevin Murphy, Breadlab director and the Clif Bar and King Arthur Baking Company Endowed Chair in Organic Grain Breeding and Innovation, the Breadlab team works in tandem with corporate, food, and agricultural partners to reach the highest level of community engagement. I have rarely seen a group more dedicated, motivated, and mission-driven in serving their community. The Breadlab exemplifies what is possible when research, innovation, and partnership come together with purpose. I am eager to share this remarkable work more broadly and hope to welcome WSU President Cantwell for a visit to the Breadlab this spring.
I was thrilled to see the many stakeholders who came together during my February 4 visit to the Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center (NWREC) in Mount Vernon. The Skagit Valley is a major hub of vegetable seed production, and it was inspiring to learn how NWREC faculty advance the land-grant mission and solve real-world challenges faced by farmers in the region. One example is the work of Professor Lindsey du Toit, chair of the Department of Plant Pathology, who has supported spinach seed growers by testing more than 760 fields in western Washington for the presence of destructive soilborne pathogens, helping to protect and preserve a regionally and nationally important crop. Growers were very thankful for what WSU continues to do to support their region’s unique agriculture.
The success of our faculty relies heavily on the support extended to them by our staff, whose contributions often go unappreciated. I want to take a moment to highlight one such individual. NWREC Facilities and Farm Manager Dan Gorton is an equal champion in furthering the mission of CAHNRS. His leadership, commitment, and behind-the-scenes excellence are essential and were evident in the impactful work taking place at the center. I am so grateful that we have individuals like Dan in our system.
On February 5, I visited the Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, where I toured laboratories and saw firsthand the site where the new $18 million Plant Growth Facility will break ground this spring. I am deeply grateful for the legislative and grower support that made this critically important investment possible. It will significantly strengthen our research capacity for years to come. During the visit, I also welcomed thoughtful and collective input from faculty and staff regarding the desire to engage a permanent director for the center. I recognize the importance of this request and will discuss with CAHNRS leadership to carefully consider next steps.
I concluded my day by spending several hours with members of Chelan and Douglas County Extension and regional Master Gardener Program leadership. I listened, asked how we can work more effectively together, and learned a great deal from their perspective. Extension colleagues expressed their gratitude for having college leadership there in person to listen. This was a very meaningful visit for me, and I remain committed to visiting every county Extension office in the state.
A reminder that our next CAHNRS Town Hall is tomorrow at 3 p.m., in Johnson Hall Annex C107 or online via Zoom. Faculty and staff are invited to join us for a Q&A session and a chance to get to know colleagues from across our college. I look forward to seeing you there!
Kudos Corner
Congratulations to Priya Chakrabarti Basu, assistant professor of pollinator health and apiculture, for two recent awards: The American Beekeeping Federation and the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees’ Roger Hoopingarner Award for Best Scientific Presentation in January, as well as the Zoological Society of India’s S.P. Raychaudhuri Memorial Award in December.
Lindsey du Toit, professor and chair of the Department of Plant Pathology, received the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology’s Christiaan Hendrik Persoon Medal during the organization’s 54th Biennial Congress, January 18-21 in Umhlanga, South Africa. The society’s most prestigious award, the Persoon Medal honors longstanding members recognized as world leaders in the field.
Debbie Handy, scholarly professor in the Department of Human Development, has received the 2026 Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). The award recognizes those who demonstrate superior contributions to the family and consumer sciences profession and AAFCS leadership at the state and national levels. She will be honored at the AAFCS annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 21.
Please continue to share your awards and accomplishments with me. I look forward to reading and sharing them.
Until next time, Go Cougs!
Sincerely,
Raj