Explore the Office of the Provost


Academic Appeals

Provost Academic Appeals

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Faculty Relations

Provost Faculty Relations

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Undergraduate Studies

Undergraduate Studies

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Invite the Provost

Use this form to request the provost.

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Welcome to the Office of the Provost

The Provost also serves as the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The purpose of the Office of the Provost is to provide supportive leadership of CWU's academic and student life programs. We strive to uphold and fulfill the CWU core themes of teaching and learning, inclusiveness and diversity, scholarship and creative expression, public service and community engagement, and resource development and stewardship.

Meet the Provost

Interim Provost Kurt Kirstein's Portrait

Dr. Kurt Kirstein was named CWU’s Interim Provost in October 2023 after serving as the Interim Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs for about four months.

Dr. Kirstein came to CWU in 2014 as a part-time lecturer in Information Technology and Administrative Management (ITAM). He took on the role of Interim Associate Dean in 2019 on a half-time basis while still teaching in ITAM. Later that year, the position became interim on a full-time basis, and he served in that capacity until being promoted to Interim Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs in June 2023.

Dr. Kirstein was raised in Spokane and attended the Evergreen State College in Olympia, where he earned a degree in computer science. He spent 20 years in the high-tech industry, first in telecom and later in biotech. During that time, he completed a master’s degree in adult education and training from Seattle University, and a doctor of education in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. 

He transitioned to higher education in 2007, joining City University of Seattle (CityU) as a program coordinator. He went on to serve as a dean and eventually was appointed as the provost at CityU. 

Though he is professionally located in Ellensburg, Dr. Kirstein makes his permanent home in Monroe, where he lives with his husband.


Academic Affairs Division Information

The Provost is responsible to the President for the operation of the Academic Affairs division of the University, which makes up around 65% of the institution and includes the following nine direct reports.

Please explore each of these websites and resources, as they will provide you with valuable information about the CWU experience, and what makes Central such a special place. You will learn about exeptional faculty and staff, exciting academic programs, numerous learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, and many ways to make your time at CWU most meaningful to you.

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