WSU selects Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Cantwell as new president of university

PULLMAN — Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell has been appointed as the 12th president of Washington State University, following a comprehensive nationwide search that identified over 260 candidates, according to a statement from the university.  

Cantwell is set to officially assume her role on April 1, succeeding Kirk Schulz, who has served as president since 2016 and who will continue as a senior advisor during the transition until June 2025. 

The WSU Board of Regents unanimously selected Cantwell during their recent meeting.  

“We are energized by Dr. Cantwell’s ambitious vision for the future of WSU,” Lisa Keohokalole Schauer, chair of the WSU Board, said in the WSU release. “She is a passionate advocate for student success and a champion of our land-grant mission. Her extensive experience in university leadership and national research labs, coupled with her innovative approach, will be invaluable as we navigate modern higher education challenges.” 

Cantwell expressed her excitement about leading WSU.  

“I am deeply honored by the trust the Board of Regents has placed in me. To lead this esteemed institution is a profound privilege,” Cantwell said. “My family’s connection to WSU deepened a couple of years ago when my daughter enrolled in one of its graduate programs, making this opportunity truly a dream come true.” 

Currently, Cantwell serves as the president of Utah State University’s system, which includes 30 campuses and centers across Utah. Her leadership there has led to significant achievements, including record-breaking sponsored research expenditures of $495 million, a 10% increase in student scholarships, and ambitious campus development projects, such as the Veterinary Medical Education Building. 

Her prior experience includes oversight of an $825 million research portfolio at the University of Arizona and a role at Arizona State University, where she expanded the research enterprise significantly. Cantwell also has an extensive background in national security, having held prominent positions at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and other national laboratories. 

“Dr. Cantwell meets the key criteria we sought in our next leader,” commented Eric Shelden, a member of the presidential search committee in the WSU statement. “She prioritizes collaboration and open communication, listening closely to the voices of those around her.” 

Cantwell holds an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, a doctorate in mechanical engineering from UC Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago. Upon her arrival in Pullman, she will hold a faculty position in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at WSU.