CAHNRS announces new Alumni and Development Senior Director

Portrait photo of Shane Giese
Shane Giese, new CAHNRS Alumni and Development Senior Director

The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences is proud to announce the appointment of Shane Giese as the new senior director of CAHNRS Alumni and Development.

Giese, a development professional and former Cougar with deep agricultural roots, will champion fundraising and outreach, keeping CAHNRS alumni, donors and industry partners connected to academics, research and Extension.

Selected for his more than 30 years of experience in development and fundraising, Giese is a former Washington State University vice president for development, past director of WSU Corporate and Foundation Relations, and former assistant dean in the College of Business and Economics.

He has led national university development programs, most recently at the University of Montana, as well as Kansas State University, the University of Oregon and Wayne State College, and brings corporate experience from Bank of America.

“I’m excited to be back at WSU, and pleased to once again be part of a talented WSU advancement team,” said Giese, who raised his family in Pullman. “Having grown up on a working farm in Nebraska, I know firsthand the value that land grant colleges bring to farms, business and people.”

Giese returned to the Palouse earlier this year when his wife, Joan, took a faculty position in the Carson College of Business.

“CAHNRS offers a great opportunity for me to use my development experience,” Giese said. “The size, scope and scale of this college make it a real draw.”

Giese begins his role Nov. 1, and will work alongside outgoing senior director Linda Bailey, who has successfully led outreach efforts since 2016 and will remain with the Alumni and Development team.

“CAHNRS Alumni and Development is a superbly talented team, and Shane will be an asset to the college in partnership with one of the best development groups at this university,” said Ron Mittelhammer, dean of CAHNRS. “Join me in welcoming Shane and thanking Linda and the entire team for their great work in support of our college. We owe much of our success to them.”