Elliot-Cheslek announces pending retirement, interim HRS leader appointed

Theresa Elliot-Cheslek, who has led Washington State University's Human Resources Services team for the past decade, is planning to retire in January.

"Theresa has been a cornerstone of our university community for more than 25 years, making invaluable contributions to the growth and development of our HR Services," Leslie Brunelli, executive vice president for Finance and Administration and chief financial officer, said.

After earning a Bachelor's of Arts degree in sociology from WSU while playing on the women's basketball team, Elliot-Cheslek returned to her alma mater in 1999. During her tenure with HRS, she held roles as a consultant, assistant director, and associate director before being appointed the unit's leader in 2013. In 2020, Elliot-Cheslek received the elevated designation of vice president and chief human resources officer.

Stepping into the role of interim vice president and chief human resource officer effective immediately is Jennifer Klein, senior associate vice president of HRS. Klein's 16 years with WSU HRS include serving as director of human capital management on the Modernization team.

"Jennifer has been an integral part of our HR Services team for over 16 years, during which she has held various roles and demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities," Brunelli said. "Her extensive experience and collaborative approach will undoubtedly serve our university well during this interim period."

The search for a new permanent leader of HRS is being delayed until Spring 2026 to allow time for the selection and onboarding of the next president of WSU. President Kirk Schulz is retiring from his role as president in June 2025.