May 20, 2021

WSU CAHNRS interim dean to be Rick Koenig

Rich Koenig has been named interim dean of the Washington State Univerity College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, effective July 1, following an open, internal search.  He will assume the position of acting dean on June 7.

Koenig joined WSU as an associate professor in 2003 and has served as chair of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences since 2017, his second four-year term in that role. From 2012 to 2019, Koenig was the associate dean for CAHNRS and director of WSU Extension. He also served as interim chair of the Department of Horticulture from 2017 to 2019.

“We are grateful to Rich Koenig for taking on the role of interim dean for CAHNRS,” provost Elizabeth Chilton said. “His significant leadership experience and extensive familiarity with the College and WSU Extension will allow them to continue the important work toward their goals and serve a vital role within our University and our state.”

André-Denis Wright is resigning from his role as dean, effective June 30. He is joining the University of Oklahoma as provost of its Norman campus. The University is grateful to Wright for his strong leadership and advocacy for CAHNRS and Extension over the past three years.

Koenig earned his Ph.D. in Soil Science from WSU in 1993. He has earned numerous awards for his work and served in many leadership roles throughout his career as a faculty member. Koenig is a Fellow of both the Soil Science Society of America and the American Society of Agronomy.

As interim dean, Koenig will provide leadership and vision in strategic planning and implementation of programs and lead College and Extension development activities. He will serve a one-year appointment.  WSU will launch a national search in the fall to identify a permanent dean for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.