Serving citizens across Washington
WSU fulfills its mission as Washington’s land-grant research university by reaching out. It delivers knowledge and the benefits of research activities to people throughout the state.
Statewide programs and services
Extension
In each of Washington’s 39 counties
Providing research-based educational programs and services—youth programs, civic leadership training, master gardener classes, and more— with measurable state impact
Research and extension centers
Mt. Vernon, Prosser, Puyallup, and Wenatchee
Conducting research to sustain crop health and Washington growers’ productivity
Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
Scientists statewide
Leading research and educational programs in agriculture, food and natural resources systems that are economically viable, environmentally sound and socially responsible
Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Serving all 39 counties in Washington, most counties in Idaho and, to a lesser degree, all Pacific Northwest states as well as Alaska and Hawaii
Delivering diagnostic services, consultation, disease surveillance, and outreach to safeguard animal health, the food supply, and public health
Superintendent certification program
WSU-certified superintendents in each of Washington’s 39 counties
Training more of Washington’s public education superintendents than any other institution
Office of Economic Development and External Affairs
Seattle-based, working with leaders statewide
Partnering with businesses to raise awareness of WSU research innovations, participate in expert panels and advisory boards, and connect to industry leaders in relevant fields of research
Small Business Development Centers
25 locations statewide
Promoting economic vitality by providing advice, training and research to entrepreneurs and existing businesses
4-H Youth Development Program
Engaging nearly 80,000 youth annually in all 39 Washington counties
Reaching out to kids and their families to build skills for life
Conference Management
Staff in Seattle and Pullman, events statewide
Organizing conferences and educational events of all sizes
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center
Richland based, engaging collaborators from throughout Washington and beyond
Providing research and education to support Washington’s $8.6 billion premium wine grape industry
Online learning
Online courses, degrees, and certificates
Offering courses taught by WSU faculty, so you can earn a WSU diploma online
Digital Academy
Offering online courses for personal enrichment and professional development
Economic impact
WSU research fuels growth throughout Washington and beyond.
Biofuels
WSU researchers lead a $40 million U.S. Department of Agriculture grant that explores use of renewable forest materials to spawn an aviation biofuels industry.
Wood-plastic composites
About 15% of the $850 million annual North American market for wood-plastic composite decking products derives from research conducted at the WSU Composite Materials & Engineering Center.
Food and agriculture
Scientific advances made at WSU support Washington’s $49 billion food and agriculture economy.
Wheat
WSU’s world-leading experts in small grain genetics and breeding have helped to make Washington one of the most productive wheat growing regions on Earth.
Tree fruit
Washington’s more than $6 billion tree fruit industry leads the nation in production of apples, pears, and sweet cherries, thanks in part to WSU research and support. New apple varieties being developed at WSU will help drive future sales of the state’s leading agricultural commodity.
Wine grapes
WSU’s partnership with grape growers and winemakers helped create Washington’s $8.6 billion a year premium wine grape industry.
Small businesses
WSU hosts the Washington Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC), a statewide network of more than two dozen business advisors. Advisors help small business owners start, grow, or transition their businesses.
From 2006 to 2016, Washington SBDC advisors worked with more than 20,000 entrepreneurs. Those clients credit SBDC advising with helping them start 1,012 businesses and create or save 13,816 jobs. On average, clients’ sales grew three times the statewide average.
SBDC advisors serve the full spectrum of industries: manufacturing, technology, professional services, retail, and others. Their advising is confidential, tailored to the needs of each client, and provided at no cost to the business owner.
Bringing new technologies to market
Innovations and enterprises of WSU faculty and alumni have invigorated not only Washington’s economy, but the global economy as well. Among them:
- Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (power systems protection), launched by alumnus Edmund Schweitzer
- Stratasys (3D printing), co-founded by alumnus S. Scott Crump, who pioneered 3-D printing technology
- METER Group, Inc. (scientific instruments), founded as Decagon Devices by WSU soil sciences professor Gaylon Campbell
- Digilent (technology-based educational design tools), co-founded by WSU electrical engineering professors Clint Cole and Gene Apperson
More about WSU’s economic impact
A report on the University’s economic reach and impact (pdf) highlights the many ways in which WSU buoys the state’s economy.