Bob Drewel to co-chair WSU presidential transition

March 2, 2016

Washington State University at Everett Community College — *Bob Drewel speaks at the WSU North Puget Sound at Everett groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 22, 2015*

EVERETT, Wash. – March 2, 2016 – Washington State University Regent Mike Worthy, who is chair of the WSU Presidential Search Advisory Committee, announced today that former WSU North Puget Sound at Everett interim chancellor Bob Drewel will co-chair WSU presidential transition efforts with Lura Powell, vice chair of the Board of Regents.

“I am pleased to let you know that the search to select the next President of Washington State University is progressing well,” Worthy said in a message to the University community. “As a result, we have started the planning process for the transition of leadership that will take place in the coming months.”

Drewel, who lives in Arlington, now serves as senior advisor to President Bernardo. He is a former Snohomish County Executive, president of Everett Community College and executive director of the Puget Sound Regional Council.

The co-chairs will work closely with WSU interim president Dan Bernardo to address the details of the transition, and they will call upon other members of the University community to help support the effort. Bernardo will then prepare to transition back to his role as provost.

“I am excited to work with Regent Powell and interim president Bernardo to gather input from the University community that ensures the continued momentum of key WSU initiatives,” Drewel said. “I’d also like to share Cougar Nation’s deep appreciation to Dan Bernardo for his incredible leadership and the visionary work he has done serving our state as interim president of Washington State University.”

Commenting on the search process itself, Worthy said, “As previously reported, our pool of about 200 candidates recently was narrowed to eight outstanding individuals. They include current university presidents and provosts as well as an individual from the private sector. The interview process is ongoing. The identities of these individuals will remain confidential so as not to jeopardize their leadership of their current organizations.”

“Based on the search committee’s progress, we are on track to name our next president in April, if not before. And we are certain our new leader will continue to guide the institution’s trajectory toward ever-greater excellence.”