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Board of Regents names preferred presidential finalist, delegates chair to extend offer
Summary
After a yearlong search that drew more than 200 applicants, the Washington State University Board of Regents announced a preferred finalist on Jan. 24 and gave Chair Lisa Keohokalole Schauer authority to extend an employment offer, pending contract approval by the full board.
The Washington State University Board of Regents on Jan. 24 selected a preferred finalist to be WSU's next president and authorized Board Chair Lisa Keohokalole Schauer to extend an offer and negotiate a contract on the board's behalf. The name of the finalist will remain confidential until any contract is finalized and returned to the board for approval.
The decision follows a yearlong, multi‑stage search that included an external search firm, a 25‑member Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC), statewide listening sessions and interviews with a final slate of candidates. "We had over 200 well qualified candidates that were interested in being the president of Washington State University," Chair Lisa Keohokalole Schauer said, describing the breadth of the applicant pool.
PSAC, chaired by Regent Jeanette Ramos, compiled input from more than 1,000 members of the WSU community and recommended a short list to the regents. "We really took to heart that it was our role to create a safe space that was inclusive of many voices across the state," Ramos said, describing the committee's outreach and deliberations.
Regents discussed three finalists in public session after meeting in executive session to review candidates' qualifications. Several regents said they were struck by the finalists' experience with land‑grant missions, student success, athletics and fiscal stewardship. "This candidate has experience in leading multi‑campus systems as well as research and extension," Regent Marty Pica said of the candidate she supported.
After board members exchanged views in open session, Schauer called for a motion to delegate authority to her to extend an employment offer to the board's preferred finalist. The motion passed; the board recorded one abstention. Schauer said she will proceed with negotiations and will present any signed contract to the Board of Regents for final approval and public announcement.
The board thanked Regent Ramos and the full PSAC for leading the search, and also acknowledged the university's general counsel and the state attorney general's office for legal guidance during the process. "You are a relentless advocate for WSU," Schauer said to senior Assistant Attorney General Nathan Ding, who is leaving WSU counsel later in February.
Next steps are confidential by law until a final contract is signed, Schauer said. Once the contract is negotiated and presented back to the board, the board will vote in open session on whether to ratify the agreement.
