Office of the Provost

Meet the Provost

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.

• College of Arts and Humanities
• College of Business
• College of Education and Professional Studies
• College of The Sciences
• CWU Libraries
• Office of Extended and Global Education
• Office of Student Success
• School of Graduate Studies and Research
• William O. Douglas Honors College
• Academic Appeals