Dr. Elizabeth R. Cantwell has been named WSU's 12th president, making her the first woman to hold the position in the university's 135-year history.

Utah State University President Elizabeth Cantwell, pictured here on the Pullman campus of Washington State University, was named the university's 12th president Thursday in Pullman. She is the first woman in the role since the university's creation in 1890. (Robert Hubner)

PULLMAN, Wash. — Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell has been appointed the 12th president of Washington State University following a nationwide search. Cantwell will begin on April 1 and will succeed Kirk Schulz, who has served as president since 2016 and will remain on as a senior advisor to support the transition through June 2025.

Cantwell will wrap up her time at Utah State over the next few months and become the 12th president of Washington State University on April 1. Cantwell, who has a background in ae

Washington State University announced its new president during a Board of Regents meeting Thursday, marking a historic first as she becomes the university’s first woman president.

The Washington State University Board of Regents is taking another step toward selecting a new president for the university.

Washington State University's Board of Regents named a new president Thursday who will take over in April as the school's first female president.

It was reported this afternoon that Washington State University announced the newest President - Elizabeth Cantwell! Or, as some may call her, Betsy. Cantwell brings a refreshing background to WSU, heading north from Utah State (a future new friend),