The next president of Washington State University will be Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell, currently president of Utah State University, who comes with extensive experience in national security and the U.S. Department of Energy. 

WSU’s regents considered more than 260 candidates to be the successor of current President Kirk Schulz before unanimously selecting Cantwell during a special meeting Feb. 6. She will start April 1. Schulz, who has served as president since 2016, will remain on as a senior advisor to support the transition through June 2025. 

“We are energized by Dr. Cantwell’s ambitious vision for the future of WSU. She is a passionate advocate for student success and a champion of our land-grant mission,” said Lisa Keohokalole Schauer, WSU board chair, in a release. “Her experience in leading university systems and national research labs, combined with her tenacity and leadership will be invaluable as we navigate the complexities of the modern higher education landscape. Dr. Cantwell understands the challenges and opportunities facing WSU and is positioned to guide our university to new heights.” 

During Cantwell’s tenure at Utah State, sponsored research expenditures reached a record-breaking $495 million, student scholarships were increased by 10% and significant campus improvements were undertaken, including the construction of the Veterinary Medical Education Building and the Monument Valley Education Building, in partnership with the Navajo Nation. She also played a role in bringing Utah State into the Pac-12 athletic conference beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. 

Before her time at Utah State, Cantwell oversaw an $825 million annual research portfolio at the University of Arizona and was responsible for research and business development at Arizona State University. Prior to her academic career, she held leadership roles at Lawrence Livermore, Oak Ridge and Los Alamos national laboratories, working with various government agencies including the U.S. departments of Energy and Defense, National Nuclear Security Administration, Defense Threat Reduction Agency and NASA. 

“I am deeply honored by the trust the Board of Regents has placed in me to lead this incredible institution,” Cantwell said in a news release. “To be selected to lead this esteemed institution as its 12th president is a profound privilege. I’ve long admired Washington State University and a couple of years ago my family’s connection to the university deepened when my daughter became a Coug, enrolling in one of WSU’s graduate programs. This opportunity to serve WSU as president is truly a dream come true.”