FAQs

Purpose and Vision

What meaningful changes can we expect from the WSU system redesign?

This process is grounded in a university-wide commitment to transparency, collaboration, and measurable outcomes. We’re not just updating systems—we’re rethinking how they support our mission, our people, and our future.

How is this system redesign different from previous efforts?

The Redesign starts by collecting perspectives from our constituents across Washington. Next, from that data we’ll identify stakeholder-driven insights and opportunity areas that will inform areas of redesign. This redesign is about designing WITH and FOR our constituents.  Deep commitment from leadership and broad engagement will ensure an actionable outcome that reflects our shared values.

What does success look like, and how will it be measured?

Success looks like a renewed strength of purpose and paths to effectively serve the needs of our WSU system from staff to students, faculty, the communities and businesses across the state of Washington - now and for the next decade and beyond.

We expect to see improvement that renews our purpose and alignment with WSU’s land-grant mission. For metrics, the redesign efforts will be driven by the data collected in the discovery phase - both in terms of areas of redesign and appropriate metrics that measure impact.

What is the “WSU system” that is being redesigned?

The WSU system includes five statewide campuses, WSU Global campus, and 39 county-based Extension offices that can be better aligned to meet the evolving needs of our constituents across the state of Washington to fulfill our land grant mission.

Participation and Engagement

How can I participate, share feedback, or stay informed?

Across the state, there will be group sessions, 1:1 interviews and finally a public survey available to everyone within WSU and across Washington. Please sign up to take the survey. You'll be notified when the public survey launches in late October. Design Central is a public website and hub for information for you to stay informed.

How can I encourage others to get involved?

Share the public survey with them via Design Central (launching late October). In advance of the survey launch, please have them sign up to be notified to take the survey.

Who are the Co-Design Council members? How were they selected?

The Co-Design Council is comprised of individuals across disciplines, tenures, and campuses who take a broad, systemwide view. Council members are creative thinkers committed to WSU’s future success. They will engage WSU leaders, students, industry, community members, research partners, business and legislative leaders, staff, and faculty throughout the process to ensure meaningful, data-driven outcomes.

How will students participate?

Our external partner, DESIGN+, as well as the Co-Design Council will be engaging stakeholders across all campuses and colleges to understand the student experience from multiple perspectives. All students interested in participating are strongly encouraged to take the public survey. Please have students sign up to be notified when the survey launches.

Implementation and Timeline

What is the timeline, and how will changes be implemented?

The redesign will unfold across four phases. Read the timeline and description of the redesign approach on the Design Central homepage. Changes will be implemented in collaboration with constituents and evolve over time; our design process will be completed in May 2026.

Who decides which changes are approved and implemented?

The Co-Design Council will share their data-driven action plans to the President, Provost and Board of Regents in Summer of 2026.

What if my position isn’t student-facing?

Every role contributes to the student experience and the university’s mission. The redesign isn’t just about front-line services; it’s about how all parts of the system work together more effectively. We want to hear from you! Please sign up to be notified when the survey launches.

Academic and Student Experience

What does this mean for me as a student?

A central goal of the redesign is to enhance student success – we will center on what we learn from students to inform how this takes shape. Heavy consideration is being placed not just on today's WSU student, but on future students - including a new freshman beginning in 2035. We need and welcome student participation!

Will this affect my progress toward my degree?

We don’t expect any disruption!

How will the systemwide redesign impact workforce readiness for graduates?

WSU intends to grow its strategic business partnerships and build more in the future. The Co-Design Council will collaborate with business and industry leaders to understand future workforce needs and incorporate them into the action plans.

Guiding Principles and Institutional Alignment

How will the systemwide redesign address regional differences across campuses and Extension offices?

The systemwide redesign will honor regional strengths while creating shared systems that improve student success, innovation and engagement, and also that are budget aligned.

Will administrative systems or workflows be redesigned?

Our core charge is: How can we design a WSU system that most effectively allows us to be a world-class land-grant university in terms of student success, innovation, and engagement? The discover phase will uncover where we need to focus our efforts.

How will WSU preserve its strengths and excellence?

Our work is grounded in what we do best and stays true to our land-grant mission and values. Broad engagement ensures stakeholders help preserve and strengthen WSU’s excellence.

How will this make WSU better in serving my community’s needs?

As Washington’s largest land-grant institution, a system built for collaboration and flexibility will best serve students, communities, and the state -  not just now but looking forward over a 10-year horizon line.

What if I have questions that I can’t find answered here?

Please be in touch with our external partners, DESIGN+, who are helping to guide our systemwide redesign process.