Deringer Promoted To SSAP Associate Dean at WSU

Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, better known as CAHNRS, has turned to a familiar face when it comes to retaining students.

After serving in an interim role, Nancy Deringer has been named the associate dean for Student Success and Academic Programming [SSAP] at CAHNRS.  Deringer noted one of her main priorities is increasing retention and ensuring students finish their degrees.  Currently, around 80% of students who enroll in a CAHNRS major will earn a WSU degree.  She wants to boost that figure to 95%. 

“It’s a big goal, but finishing a degree can make a huge difference in students’ lives,” said Deringer, herself a first-generation college graduate. “We need to give students a sense of belonging in the CAHNRS community, so they feel comfortable and involved.”

She also wants students to know they don’t have to stick with their original academic plan. 

“It’s OK to change your major as you learn more and see additional opportunities,” Deringer said. “We want students to explore career options earlier and realize the vast array of careers available to them.”

That requires time spent with companies and organizations in their field. Each semester, she and her team host recruiting events, such as Networking Night, where students can talk with several potential employers about internships, jobs after graduation, or what they might be looking for in an employee.

Working with potential employers also leads to curriculum updates.

“We conduct employer surveys and focus groups to find out what skills they want students to have upon graduation,” Deringer said. “This helps students be career-ready on day one and increases the value of their WSU degree. We want students to have a fantastic experience while they’re in school, and also be prepared to go on to rewarding careers. We also want our industry partners and alumni involved with our curriculum offerings, so our students are meeting the demands of employers.” 

“Dr. Deringer has shown great leadership as interim associate dean, helping our college prepare students for career success after graduating from WSU,” said Raj Khosla, Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of CAHNRS. “I look forward to seeing her continued excellence in recruiting, retaining, and graduating students into the workforce.”

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