Khosla Named CAHNRS Dean

Washington State University announced this week that Raj Khosla has been named the Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, better known as CAHNRS.

WSU announced Khosla’s selection following a national search.  He is scheduled to join the college on September 1st.

“President Cantwell and I are delighted to welcome Dr. Khosla to Washington State University,” stated WSU Provost and Executive Vice President T. Chris Riley-Tillman.  “His visionary leadership and proven ability to guide a large academic enterprise will further strengthen CAHNRS.  We are confident that under Dr. Khosla’s leadership, CAHNRS will continue its storied legacy and advance WSU’s land-grant mission of serving all people through education, research, and service.” 

School officials said as the Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean, Khosla will lead CAHNRS in developing a clear vision that enhances the college’s teaching, research, Extension, and outreach initiatives.  His leadership will leverage CAHNRS’s interdisciplinary expertise and past achievements to promote academic excellence, foster a dynamic research environment, and elevate its regional, national, and global impact.

Khosla Comes To Pullman From Manhattan, KS

"It is an honor to join WSU and have the opportunity to lead CAHNRS,” Khosla said.  “CAHNRS is one of the largest and most innovative colleges at WSU.  I look forward to building partnerships and initiating collaborations throughout the WSU system to develop programs with impact across the state of Washington.”

Khosla currently serves as the department head of the Department of Agronomy at Kansas State University.  WSU notes, "his distinguished career spans decades of contributions to precision agriculture, including founding and serving as past president of the International Society of Precision Agriculture.  His research focuses on utilizing spatial and temporal variability in agro-ecosystems to improve management decisions for producers, enhancing production, resource efficiency, and sustainability."

Khosla succeeds Wendy Powers, who announced her resignation in August 2024.  Scot Hulbert, CAHNRS’ senior associate dean, will serve as acting dean starting June 16th until Khosla starts this fall.

CAHNRS Serves Thousands Across The State

The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences is a cornerstone of the university’s land-grant mission, dedicated to serving all people through education, research, and outreach. With approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled across 13 academic units, 22 undergraduate programs, and 27 graduate programs, CAHNRS fosters academic excellence and real-world learning opportunities. The college employs more than 450 faculty members and 600 staff, contributing to its robust research and educational initiatives.

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