Koenig: Growth Relationships Importance As CAHNRS Returns From COVID

Earlier this month, Washington State University announced an interim dean to head the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences after the departure of Andre Wright. The person the school tapped to take that leadership role is not new to Cougar Nation.

Rich Koenig, a 1993 graduate of WSU has served in a variety of roles in Pullman, including chair of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, interim chair of the Department of Horticulture and associate dean and director of WSU Extension. Koenig said as interim dean, he will push CAHNRS to grow and expand. He said WSU found new ways to do business during pandemic to accomplish the school’s mission when it comes to research, teaching and extension. But he acknowledged it was not ideal.

“So, certainly coming out of COVID this College is moving, or will move, quickly.  We’re welcoming students back to campus in the fall and looking forward to offering a signature CAHNRS experience, heavily emphasizing face-to-face and hands on teaching.”

Koenig adds the hope is to do some hiring within the next year or so, especially in critical gap areas within Extension. When it comes to the farming community across Washington, he says it’s important that producers and operators undersand CAHNRS takes their role as the state’s Land Grant Institution very seriously.

“We have a unique, truly unique, relationship with agriculture, the agriculture industries in the state and we take our role and relationship very seriously, and as interim dean I look forward to reaffirming both in the future both our role and our relationship to agriculture in the communities in which we’re present.”

Is Koenig interested in the dean position, permanently? Listen to our entire podcast below to find out.

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