WSU Vancouver Chancellor Mel Netzhammer to retire in 2026

Having served as chancellor of the WSU Vancouver campus for the past 13 years, Mel Netzhammer announced Wednesday his plan step down as chancellor next summer.

Netzhammer will support the transition of the next campus chancellor before retiring in 2026.

"Serving as chancellor has been the most fulfilling position in my career, and I am so proud of all that we have accomplished together," Netzhammer wrote in a letter to the Vancouver campus community Wednesday. "After 13 years, celebrating the opening of the Life Sciences Building, achieving the largest fundraising year in our history, addressing enrollment challenges, and seeing campus life rebound after the pandemic-not to mention witnessing another Titan VanCoug bloom-it feels like the right time to welcome new leadership."

Members of the WSU Vancouver chancellor search committee are expected to be announced Thursday.