Dear CAHNRS and CAHNRS supporters and partners,
After much deliberation, I have made the difficult decision to end my time at WSU. A national search to fill the role and responsibilities as the Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences will begin over the coming months. I anticipate my departure will occur late June of 2025, when the new dean is in place. In the meantime, I remain fully committed to the success of CAHNRS and will continue to do everything I can to advance your work and success.
I am proud for all that each of you have accomplished and your commitment not only to CAHNRS but to building a more resilient Washington and world. CAHNRS has a strong national and international reputation and is considered one of the top agricultural colleges. I believe Washington is the place to expand agriculture, to cease the rise in food insecurity that is plaguing the U.S. and the world. CAHNRS, through its fundamental and applied research, Extension, and educational programs is critical to the success of agriculture in Washington. I know the many, many CAHNRS partners believe this, too. Furthermore, I feel strongly that it is the breadth of CAHNRS and the integration of human and biological sciences across the teaching, Extension, and research missions that fosters the impact that CAHNRS has for communities across the state and around the world.
I came to CAHNRS with clear goals and expectations of myself. I understood well the expectations of the job and was up to the task. As time has passed, I have recognized that I cannot achieve what I desired for CAHNRS during the time period I had committed. As a result, I believe the time has come to plan for redirecting my efforts in ways that provide more time with family and friends and greater contribution to other causes for which I am passionate.
Again, I remain wholly committed to CAHNRS for the duration of my time at WSU. It has been a privilege to work for each of you in CAHNRS and I cannot thank you enough for the opportunity. I wish only good things for CAHNRS and will do my very best to position each of you and our many partners, supporters, and stakeholders for success going forward. I truly belief that a more resilient Washington has at its foundation, a stronger CAHNRS. We have a lot of work to do, so let’s keep moving forward!
Wendy Powers, Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean, Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences