CWU Taps Chief Planning Officer Libby Street as Interim Vice President of University Relations

October 14, 2009

Ellensburg, Wash. — Elizabeth “Libby” Street will take over as interim vice president of university relations at Central Washington University starting Oct. 19, President James L. Gaudino announced today.

Street, a 30-year CWU employee, currently serves as the university’s chief planning officer. A search will begin sometime next year for her replacement.

“I am pleased that Dr. Street has agreed to serve in this critical role,” Gaudino said. “The importance of university relation’s division in these difficult times cannot be overstated. Libby’s many years of experience in Washington and with CWU will be invaluable.”

Street is looking forward to beginning her new position. She has close ties to the division’s staff and already understands its functions and goals.

“I look forward to working with the dedicated staff in university relations to assist them in achieving important advancement goals for CWU,” Street said. “The work of the division is always important to the well-being of the university, but never more so than in challenging financial times like the ones we currently face.”

Street’s duties will include providing leadership in developing university communications and community relations, advocating and conveying the university’s mission on and off campus, overseeing the university’s fundraising and development, public relations and marketing, publications, university and presidential events, and providing support to alumni relations.

“The primary goal will be to enhance integration and collaboration within the division and throughout the university,” Street said.

Street joined CWU in 1979 as an assistant professor of education and moved to the department of psychology in 1983 where she was granted full professor status in 1988. She earned her bachelor, master’s and doctoral degrees at West Virginia University. She has a PhD in educational psychology and has worked in several other positions throughout the state, including as director of the children and family unit at Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health in Yakima.

Media contact: Becky Watson, Public Relations and Marketing, 509-963-1117, bwatson@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of placebound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.