In spring 2026, President Betsy Cantwell held 18 listening sessions across the WSU system to hear directly from students, faculty, staff, and community members about their experiences, priorities, and perspectives on WSU’s future. An online submission form was also available for those unable to attend a session to provide feedback.
Across the listening sessions, participants consistently identified WSU’s land-grant mission, research strength, Cougar identity, and statewide presence as major assets, while also identifying opportunities to strengthen access, career outcomes, the student experience, and how WSU operates as one statewide university system.
Core Strategic Themes
Access, Affordability & Flexibility
Rising tuition concerns; demand for stackable credentials, hybrid models, and non-traditional student support.
Workforce-Aligned, Experiential Education
Internships, applied learning, and industry partnerships. Shift from knowledge delivery to skill and adaptability.
Research Leadership (Land-Grant Mission)
Climate-resilient agriculture, clean energy, rural health, AI and data ethics. Community-connected, applied focus.
“One WSU System” vs. Local Autonomy
Cougar pride is a core asset. Regional campuses feel under-recognized; balance cohesion with campus-specific identity.
Student Experience & Belonging
Community, support services, teaching quality, hands-on learning. Belonging is strongly tied to retention.
Faculty & Staff Pressures
Low morale, burnout, compensation concerns, leadership communication gaps. Risk of talent and knowledge loss.
Technology & AI Disruption
Dual reality: productivity opportunity vs. quality/ethics. Need AI literacy, updated curriculum, modern IT infrastructure.
Operational Inefficiencies
Siloed campuses, outdated processes, inconsistent systems. Call for streamlining, standardization, balanced centralization.
Key Risks Identified
- Declining affordability
- AI/technology pace
- Over-centralization
- Faculty burnout
- Fragmented identity
- Funding instability
Strategic Imperatives
- Deliver accessible excellence
- Career readiness
- Applied research leadership
- System + regional balance
- Invest in people
- Modernize delivery and AI
Key Future Opportunities
- Flexible, stackable degree pathways operational
- System-wide experiential learning embedded
- Defined research pillars with active funding pipelines
- Improved student retention and satisfaction
- Clear, unified WSU system identity with regional strength
Bottom Line
Double down on the land-grant mission, modernize delivery, align with workforce needs, and invest in people while preserving the Cougar community identity.
The listening sessions reinforced the importance of connecting WSU’s strengths more directly to career-connected learning, flexible pathways, responsible technology use, and the needs of Washington. They also highlighted the need for a more connected WSU system that strengthens the distinct roles of its campuses and locations while delivering greater value for students, communities, and the state.