A student member of the HORTA club waves around some green apples, talking to a student attendee at the CAHNRS Career Fair and Networking Night.
CAHNRS Connections
February 2026

CAHNRS Connections February 2026

Newsletter brought to you by CAHNRS Student Success and Academic Programs.

CAHNRS Career Fair and Networking Night

A student approaches a booth at the CAHNRS Career Fair and Networking Night.

The spring edition of the CAHNRS Career Fair and Networking Night was an opportunity for businesses to showcase their internship and future career opportunities for students, as well as a great chance for CAHNRS students to practice showing up in professional dress and interacting professionally with prospective employers. It also helped gear them up for the full WSU Career Fair happening the next day.

A 4-H student holds up a Collegiate 4-H sign at a booth at CAHNRS Career Night
Agricultural teaching group explains opportunities to attendees at the CAHNRS Career Fair and Networking Night.

Senior leadership of CAHNRS, including Dean Raj Khosla, Senior Associate Dean Scot Hulbert, and Associate Dean for SSAP Nancy Deringer visited the fair to talk to students, and to strengthen the relationships our college has with local businesses. The employers included this session were:

  • Bayer
  • Columbia Grain
  • Lamb Weston
  • Mercer Ranches
  • Peace Corps
  • Rich Landscaping Inc.
  • Skagit Farmers Supply
  • Washington State Conservation Commission
  • Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association
  • WSU Winter Wheat Breeding
  • Yakima Chief Ranches
  • US Pea & Lentil Association
  • Organic Farmers Association
  • RDO Equipment
Three students pose with WSU themed bags and other goodies up for grabs at their booth at the CAHNRS Career Fair and Networking Night.
Dean Khosla and Associate Dean Hulbert engage in conversation with student members of the Alpha Sigma fraternity booth at the CAHNRS Career Fair and Networking Night.
WSU MANRRS representatives present at their booth at the CAHNRS Career Fair and Networking Night.
A student in professional dress speaks to an employer at the CAHNRS Career Fair and Networking Night.

CAHNRS Spirit

Three people pose make a silly diamond-shaped pose with their arms in front of an official CAHNRS backdrop.
Brochures, stickers, and sparkly WSU pom-poms are laid out on a table.
Miguel Inzunza and Judy Hopkins make a very silly pose, with a sideways hat and a peace sign.
A staff representative directs an attendee of Networking Night for a Tiktok the attendee has volunteered to star in.
A former employee in CAHNRS takes a first taste of the Sunflare apple from Jeremy Tamsen, Director of the Office of Commercialization at WSU.
a student being presented an award at CAHNRS Student Awards 2025
Two representatives of WSU Winter Wheat Breeding welcome folks with a tuft of wheat and big smiles.

Highlighted Event Dates to Mark on Your Calendar

Students huddle excitedly around their phones, sharing a moment of something exciting, the spring cherry blossoms blooming behind them on the gorgeous WSU campus in spring.

Feb 21, 2026

Experience WSU #2
7:30-11am, CUB Jr Ballroom/Beasley (Resource Fair) and Johnson Annex C107 (CAHNRS Showcase)
students huddle with the sun peaking through behind them, looking happy and empowered

Feb 26, 2026

EPIC – Empowering Prevention & Inclusive Communities
Lighty 405 and EPIC Zoom
RSVP for EPIC
Meeting ID: 972 1771 3134
Passcode: 858347
Students huddle excitedly around their phones, sharing a moment of something exciting, the spring cherry blossoms blooming behind them on the gorgeous WSU campus in spring.

March 7, 2026

Experience WSU #3
7:30-11am, CUB Jr Ballroom/Beasley (Resource Fair) and Johnson Annex C107 (CAHNRS Showcase)
The student swine club poses with pigs in a pen, looking excited!

March 14, 2026

Animal Sciences Field Day
Asotin
the SURCA showcase, where students and attendees mingle around presentation boards with research text, graphs, and images showing their research.

March 23, 2026

SURCA 2026
CUB Senior Ballroom
3:30 – 4:45pm
Awards Ceremony follows at 5:00
a group of attendees of a Top Scholars event sit at a table, listening to a help session.

March 28, 2026

Top Scholars Community Service Project
WSU Horticulture Center
11:00am – 3:00pm

Students huddle excitedly around their phones, sharing a moment of something exciting, the spring cherry blossoms blooming behind them on the gorgeous WSU campus in spring.

March 28, 2026

Experience WSU #4
7:30-11am, CUB Jr Ballroom/Beasley (Resource Fair) and Johnson Annex C107 (CAHNRS Showcase)
Students chat at a dinner table with WSU pom-poms.

April 8, 2026

Top Scholars Celebration Dinner
Ensminger Pavilion
5:00 – 7:00pm
A student poses with their award along with the SSAP team.

April 16, 2026

CAHNRS Student Awards Ceremony
Ensminger Pavilion
5:00 – 7:00pm

Deadlines

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU – 90 Credit Bachelor’s Degree Proposal 

As WSU explores opportunities to improve degree accessibility, flexibility, and alignment with student needs, faculty insight is essential. One such opportunity is offering a reduced credit bachelor’s degree that requires a minimum of 90 credits. Your perspectives on this proposal will help us understand the academic, curricular, and operational considerations involved in pursuing a reduced-credit bachelor’s degree pathway.

We hope you will take a few minutes to provide your input on WSU offering 90-Credit bachelor’s degrees. Please refer to the 90-Credit Bachelor’s Degree FAQs for answers to common questions about 90-Credit bachelor’s degrees.

After you have reviewed the FAQ, follow this link to submit your thoughts on the 90-Credit bachelor’s degree model.
 Deadline: 5:00 pm on Monday, March 2, 2026

CAHNRS Opportunity for Discussion –  90-credit Bachelor’s Degree

Please join Dr. Nancy Deringer, Associate Dean of Student Success and Academic Programs for an open discussion regarding the 90-credit baccalaureate degree. We want to hear your ideas, concerns, etc. 

Two brown bag lunch options are available in Hulbert 409:  March 5, 12:00 – 1:00 and March 6, 12:00 – 1:00.

Zoom Link for March 5th 12:00 – 1:00

March 5th Zoom details:

Meeting ID: 936 0089 8937
Passcode: 563556
Zoom Link for March 6th 12:00 – 1:00
Meeting ID: 990 5723 8001
Passcode: 610531

The CAHNRS Town Hall

Raj Khosla, Dean of CAHNRS, gives an opening address to the Town Hall in his official WSU tartan tie.

CAHNRS Hidden Gems Come to Light

Dean Raj Khosla, Associate Deans Scot Hulbert, Nancy Deringer, and Vicki McCracken, and Director of Finance Esther Kruse addressed questions from faculty and staff on collaboration, teaching, student success, balancing growth with fiscal responsibility, and other topics at the CAHNRS Town Hall on Thursday, February 12.

Dean Khosla began the Town Hall with reflection on change, his vision for CAHNRS, and how the college can support faculty and staff striving to fulfill our mission. With a nod to many of the outstanding programs, projects, and facilities he’s had the chance to see, he acknowledged the growth he has observed in CAHNRS. He mentioned that when he hears the phrase “hidden gem,” he is motivated to bring that gem to light. We look forward to celebrating these accomplishments.
Esther Kruse, Director of Finance in CAHNRS, speaks at the CAHNRS Town Hall .


Accomplishing Something Greater with Realistic Resources

CAHNRS leadership mentioned the importance of including everyone in the process of making tough decisions, showing how dedicated they are to building and maintaining a strong team bond in CAHNRS. Our leadership is constantly moving, actively exploring, and listening to everyone. Students, staff, and faculty alike are always welcome to speak up and ask tough questions, and events like the Town Hall give faculty and staff the opportunity to do so. We are all a mosaic of different fields of study that work together to feed, clothe, and care for communities as part of our mission to further agriculture, human, and natural resource sciences. As Brandon Schrand, our Director of Communications mentioned, there are so many facets of CAHNRS that when someone asks him what we do, he says “we work with babies, bees, bears, and wine, but not all in the same room.” At the Town Hall, we all came together in one room to address hard issues and celebrate wins.

Two attendees to the CAHNRS Town Hall discuss in the audience before the event starts.
Dean Khosla speaks at the CAHNRS Town Hall .
Associate Dean Hulbert and Associate Dean McCracken go over notes for some of the questions before the CAHNRS Town Hall begins.
Nancy Deringer, Esther Kruse, and Vicki McCracken speak at the CAHNRS Town Hall .

EPIC – Empowering Prevention & Inclusive Communities

students huddle together with the sun peaking out behind them, looking happy and empowered

February 26th 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Lighty Student Services 405 and via Zoom

Meeting ID: 972 1771 3134
Passcode: 858347

RSVP Here for the EPIC Training to attend.

In partnership with the CAHNRS For All Committee, the EPIC (Empowering Prevention and Inclusive Communities) program at WSU invites all CAHNRS faculty, staff, and academic student employees to this peer-led training program.

What is EPIC?

A peer-led training program created through collaboration between Washington State University and UAW Local 4951, EPIC builds safer, more inclusive academic workplaces by helping ASEs and departments recognize, prevent, and respond to sexual harassment  and discrimination.

Who is EPIC for?

  • Academic Student Employees (ASEs)
  • Graduate Assistants
  • Teaching and Research Assistants
  • Departments seeking additional training
  • Supervisors and faculty to oversee or work with ASEs
Learn more about CAHNRS For All
Find more about this and other CAHNRS Events

Nominate Someone Today for the Student Awards or Faculty & Staff Awards

Faculty and Staff Awards decorated table with programs and signs
A group of students pose with their awards in front of a western-themed background at Student Awards.
An awardee stands by the certificates table at Faculty and Staff Awards, their nominator speaking about them at a podium.

Do you have an amazing colleague that makes your work day a little brighter, more productive, or who is really making a difference to the quality of education here in CAHNRS? Do you know a student who goes above and beyond to be an incredible leader or representative of your department? Consider nominating those who make CAHNRS great and give them the recognition they deserve!

Student Awards Nominations are due March 13th

Faculty and Staff Awards Nominations are due April 3rd

CAHNRS Faculty and Staff Awards
CAHNRS Student Awards

Coffee Beans with Deans

The text 'Coffee Beans with Deans' surrounds flowers peeking out of a coffee pot.

Want a chance to visit with Dean Raj Khosla, or one of the associate deans? A great opportunity is the Coffee Beans with Deans event, happening every month available to employees in CAHNRS.

You are welcome to attend to either socialize with the dean and associate deans, or even to schedule 10 minutes of discussion with one of them by reaching out to Lisa Johnson at lisa.m.johnson@wsu.edu.

Watch your email for the RSVP links (the March RSVP is included below)!

Raj Khosla, dean of CAHNRS, presents at the All-CAHNRS Meeting in a suit and WSU Official Tartan tie at a podium, emoting with hands. The text "Go CAHNRS Cougs" is written on the board behind him.
RSVP Here for the Coffee Beans with Deans – March 16th

CAHNRS Recruitment Presents to the Board of Regents

Recruitment spotlight title slide with Daniel Pastor and Miguel Inzunza presenting in the corner of the Zoom screen. Text says "CAHNRS Recruitment includes Staff structure, Research and extension offices, WSU partner collaboration, Juntos, FFA, 4H, FFCLA, DECA, Ag Ed Teachers, Industry Partners, CAHNRS Transfer Promise, Social media campaign, Enrollment Management collaboration."
Miguel and a mule.

Miguel Inzunza

Miguel Inzunza, Director of Recruitment and Retention in the office of Student Success and Academic Programs, had the opportunity to co-present at the quarterly Board of Regents meeting in Spokane alongside WSU Enrollment Management. There, he highlighted CAHNRS’ strategic and collaborative approach to recruitment and shared how our team structure leverages our research and Extension offices, strong partnerships across WSU, and relationships with FFA, 4-H, FCCLA, DECA, agricultural education teachers, and industry partners to build meaningful recruitment pathways. He also outlined key initiatives such as the CAHNRS Transfer Promise, our coordinated social media campaign, and our alignment with Enrollment Management to strengthen enrollment outcomes and student success.

Daniel Pastor

WSU Mentorship

Daniel Pastor, who studies Fruit and Vegetable Management, joined Miguel to share his story and a bit about why he chose WSU. He spoke about loving the environment, the students, faculty, and staff at WSU CAHNRS, and how much he has appreciated the connections he’s made in Hulbert Hall and the office of Student Success and Academic Programs. He transferred to WSU from his Associate’s degree, and has since become a CAHNRS Student Ambassador, a mentor for the Team Mentoring program, been the President of our MANRRS chapter, and has engaged in recruiting for community colleges and high schools. Growing up, he didn’t have a solid idea of what college entailed, how scholarships and funding aid would work, or how research works in universities. Being the first person in his family to attend university, he recognizes how invaluable it has been to have the support of mentors in the CAHNRS offices. Because of that guidance, he is thrilled to be a part of sharing what he’s learned with fellow students.

__________

Don’t Miss Out on the MANRRS Fundraiser Merch

Merchandise sale flyer with grey crewneck and a hoodie with CAHNRS logos on them. Text says "Merchandise Sale 2/23 - 3/13/2026 Limited Edition for all CAHNRS departments. Hoodie: $38, Crewneck: $34" with images of the front and back logos.

Get your hands on a limited edition gray hoodie or crewneck with the WSU logo on the front and a CAHNRS design on the back. Suitable for all departments!

Hoodie: $38

Crewneck: $34

Home shipping or club pickup available

Order Your Merch Now

The Official Tasting Debut of the Sunflare™ Apple for WSU Students, Faculty, and Staff

Sunflare apples, pink and yellow, on a tree branch with the sun sparkling behind them.

On Jan 22nd at the CUB, WSU gave its students, faculty, and staff an exclusive taste of its first new apple since the debut of the Cosmic Crisp®. Officially named via a large-scale naming contest of over 17,000 participants, the Sunflare™ apple is a tart, crunchy, juicy cross of the Honeycrisp and the Cripps Pink apple, better known as the Pink Lady® apple. Those of us who are lucky enough to have tried it can attest, it is an incredible tasting apple with beautiful coloring. We can’t wait to get our hands on more when it becomes available for public sale.

Britta Nitcy, a CAHNRS employee, receives an apple from the Director of Commercialization at the Apple tasting event.

Regent Cerna Visits MANRRS

Daniel Pastor, President of the MANRRS chapter, and Recent Cerna, Vice Chair of the Board of Regents at WSU.

The Vice Chair of the WSU Board of Regents, Regent Enrique Cerna, visited the WSU MANRRS chapter for a presentation and to give inspiration to students who represent the future.

Learn more about Regent Cerna
MANRRS students pose with Regent Cerna and a MANRRS sweater.

CAHNRS Recruitment Travel – “Where is Junior?”

Junior Gomez smiles

Junior Gomez, CAHNRS Recruitment & Retention Coordinator, is busy traveling across the state and beyond each week. Stay tuned for the upcoming locations and dates!

The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

3/11

Wapato Middle & High School College Fair
The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

3/18

East Valley High School College Fair (Yakima, WA)
The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

3/20

Oregon State FFA
The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

3/21

Oregon State FFA
The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

3/21

CA State FFA
*Miguel Inzunza will also attend
The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

3/22

CA State FFA
*Miguel Inzunza will also attend
The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

3/25

White Swan HS Spring College Fair
The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

3/31

A.C. Davis High School College Fair – Yakima, WA
The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

4/1

Eisenhower High School
The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

4/6

Yakima Valley CC Transfer Fair
The cougar statue in front of a giant Cosmic Crisp apple

4/16

Moses Lake High School College Fair

For any questions, please reach out to ggomez@wsu.edu.

Have a story you’d like to feature in the next CAHNRS Connections Newsletter? Please reach out to cahnrs.majors@wsu.edu with your ideas and information.

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