Students in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences are not just learning — they are leading. Every day, they are building skills for success in research laboratories, on working farms, and within communities that stretch from Prosser to Peru.
At its heart, a land-grant institution exists to educate — and that mission defines us. At CAHNRS, research drives solutions for producers and society, and Extension ensures those solutions reach the people who need them most. But it is education that empowers it all. It is through our students that knowledge becomes action. Through them, we grow our food, strengthen our economies, care for our communities, and steward our natural resources. Without them, our work simply would not endure.
Student success is not just an outcome — it is our calling. We are committed to helping students thrive during their time at WSU, and preparing them to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact long after they graduate.
This month’s issue of On Solid Ground brings that mission to life. You will meet students like Jocelynn Brown from Animal Sciences, who, in her very first year, stepped confidently into cutting-edge research exploring DNA and fertility challenges in both cattle and humans. You will also follow a group of Cougs who traveled to Peru, gaining firsthand insight into how water, agriculture, and economic vitality are deeply connected across the globe.
We also celebrate the achievements of our juniors and seniors — students who have distinguished themselves across disciplines during a time of rapid and constant change. While the world they enter is dynamic and complex, it is also full of opportunity. And we are inspired by how prepared they are to meet it. More than 40 percent of our spring graduates earned a place on the Dean’s Honor Roll, achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher — a reflection of both their dedication and their potential.
At CAHNRS, agriculture, sustainability, and education move forward together. From the transformative experiences of 4-H to agricultural education and technology programs that prepare future teachers and industry leaders, to hands-on learning through clubs, internships, scholarships, and fieldwork, we are creating pathways for students to succeed and to lead.
The impact is real. The momentum is strong. And the future is in capable hands.
To explore these stories and partnerships further, I invite you to read the latest issue of Confluence, our digital magazine, and to subscribe to Dean’s blog, From the Ground Up.
Thank you and as always, Go Cougs!
— Raj Khosla, Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of CAHNRS
