Kerri Davidson named vice president of Institutional Affairs and chief administrative officer

Washington State University has appointed Kerri Davidson as WSU system chief administrative officer (CAO/VP) and vice president of Institutional Affairs, a pivotal role that signals the next phase in WSU's effort to modernize the land-grant university.

That effort begins within the Office of the President, which has been charged with optimizing operations across the WSU system. Davidson will serve as a senior advisor and partner to President Elizabeth Cantwell, ensuring that WSU's teaching, research, and outreach missions advance with clarity, efficiency, and alignment.

"Kerri brings more than two decades of experience in higher-education leadership, organizational structure, and enterprise development," President Cantwell said. "Her collaborative spirit and analytical foresight will help us translate bold ideas into coordinated action across the WSU system."

In her new post, Davidson will:

• Lead system-wide and presidential initiatives;
• Strengthen cross-campus collaboration for consistency and efficiency;
• Advance innovation-focused enterprise development;
• Ensure effective communication and alignment among leadership teams; and
• Optimize system-wide administrative operations for the Office of the President.

"I am honored to join Washington State University and to contribute to its proud legacy of excellence, innovation, and service to the state of Washington," said Davidson. "I look forward to working with President Cantwell, her outstanding leadership team, as well as faculty, staff, students and the entire Coug community to help advance the university's land grant and R1 mission."

Davidson joins WSU from Utah State University, where she was vice president and chief of staff. She previously held executive roles for more than 13 years at Arizona State University, working with ASU President Michael Crow and two-time university president Chris Howard of Robert Morris University and Hampden-Sydney College.

Her record includes leading statewide logistics for Arizona's COVID-19 response, a $100 million ASU partnership with the state and Tribal Nations to expand rapid testing and earlier helping establish a center of research excellence at ASU's Biodesign Institute under Nobel Laureate Leland Hartwell.

A first-generation college graduate, Davidson holds two master's degrees-in healthcare innovation and organizational leadership and is a certified project manager and medical transcriptionist.

"This is a critical addition to our executive team," Cantwell said. "Kerri's leadership and expertise will be instrumental as we continue to modernize WSU, strengthen our statewide partnerships, and fulfill our mission as Washington's land-grant university."

Davidson began her new role at WSU this month.