I was in Washington, D.C., for a couple of days this week to meet with our federal partners and members. It is fun sharing the good work and impact that results from federal investment in Extension and agriculture research, including competitive grant programs.
We had a great meeting in Prosser last week with Under Secretary Lester Moffitt. The Prosser faculty did a great job describing their programs and the benefit of the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
Statewide travel this week includes the Washington & Oregon Potato Conference in Kennewick, a visit to Ritzville, and time with the Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center team.
Departments and program units are gearing up for discussions about the position needs required to achieve our programmatic vision. With the big jump in new enrollees this fall, attention to recruitment across CAHNRS, and Extension and research needs, we need to develop a hiring plan that considers the previously approved faculty positions that have been on hold for a year.
Our current strategic plan’s goal is to provide a transformative student experience. I wonder if we’ve been bold enough in approaching that goal, or if we have been constrained by our current structure.