Kirk Schulz

Kirk Schulz
Born	Kirk Herman Schulz 11 5, 1963
Birthplace	Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Chemical engineer, university administrator
Known for	11th President of Washington State University, 13th President of Kansas State University
Education	Virginia Tech (BS, MS, PhD)
Spouse(s)	Noel Schulz
Children	2

Kirk Herman Schulz (born May 11, 1963) is an American chemical engineer and university administrator who served as the 11th president of the Washington State University (WSU) system from June 2016 to April 2025 and as the 13th president of Kansas State University (K-State) from June 2009 to April 2016. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Schulz built an academic career rooted in chemical engineering before transitioning into higher education leadership, guiding two major public research universities through periods of growth and institutional change over the course of nearly sixteen years. His tenure at Washington State University, which spanned nine years, was marked by efforts to expand the university's research profile, strengthen its multi-campus system, and navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon his retirement from WSU in 2025, members of the Washington Congressional Delegation honored him for his service, and the WSU Board of Regents voted unanimously to rename a facility on the university's Spokane campus in his honor.

Early Life

Kirk Herman Schulz was born on May 11, 1963, in Portsmouth, Virginia. He grew up in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia. Details about his family background and childhood are limited in publicly available sources, though his upbringing in Virginia shaped his early educational trajectory, as he pursued his undergraduate and graduate studies at Virginia institutions.

Education

Schulz received his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Virginia Tech, all in chemical engineering. His doctoral dissertation research focused on topics within chemical engineering, as documented in academic records. Virginia Tech, formally known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, is a major public research university, and Schulz's training there provided the foundation for both his research career in chemical engineering and his later administrative work in higher education.

Career

Academic Career in Chemical Engineering

Before entering university administration, Schulz established himself as a researcher and faculty member in the field of chemical engineering. He held academic positions at multiple institutions, building a record of scholarship and teaching in his discipline. His research in chemical engineering contributed to his recognition within the field and positioned him for leadership roles within academic departments and colleges.

Presidency of Kansas State University (2009–2016)

On February 11, 2009, Kansas State University announced the selection of Kirk Schulz as its 13th president. Schulz formally assumed the presidency on June 15, 2009, succeeding Jon Wefald, who had led the university for more than two decades.

During his tenure at Kansas State University, Schulz led the institution through a period of strategic planning and development. K-State is a major land-grant research university located in Manhattan, Kansas, and Schulz worked to advance the university's research mission and academic programs during his nearly seven years as president. His leadership at K-State covered a period of significant activity in higher education nationally, including discussions around affordability, access, and the role of public research universities.

Schulz served as president of Kansas State University until April 22, 2016, when he departed to assume the presidency of Washington State University. He was succeeded at K-State by Richard Myers, a retired four-star general who had served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Presidency of Washington State University (2016–2025)

Selection and Appointment

In March 2016, Washington State University announced the selection of Kirk Schulz as its 11th president. The appointment came after a search process initiated following the death of WSU's 10th president, Elson Floyd, who had passed away in June 2015 after a battle with cancer. Floyd's death had left the university without a permanent leader for nearly a year, and the WSU Board of Regents conducted a national search to identify his successor.

Schulz formally began his tenure as WSU president on June 13, 2016. He arrived at a university system that encompassed multiple campuses across the state of Washington, including its flagship campus in Pullman and additional locations in Spokane, the Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Everett, as well as a statewide online learning program known as WSU Global Campus.

Leadership and Initiatives

Over the course of his nine-year presidency, Schulz oversaw a range of initiatives at Washington State University. As he prepared to step aside in early 2025, Schulz reflected on his time at the institution in interviews and public statements, discussing the highlights and challenges of his tenure.

The WSU system under Schulz's leadership navigated a number of significant events, including the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in 2020, which required rapid adaptation of university operations, instruction, and student services across all campuses. The period also encompassed ongoing discussions about the future of the Pac-12 Conference, of which WSU was a member, and broader changes in collegiate athletics.

Schulz's role as a system president required coordination across WSU's geographically dispersed campuses. The university's Spokane campus, in particular, saw growth and development during his time in office, a fact recognized by the Board of Regents' later decision to rename a building there in his honor.

Retirement Announcement and Departure

Schulz announced his plan to retire from the WSU presidency, with his departure set for the spring of 2025. His last day as president was April 1, 2025. In the weeks leading up to his departure, Schulz and his wife, Noel Schulz, issued a farewell message to the WSU community, thanking faculty, staff, students, and supporters for their partnership during the couple's time in Pullman and across the WSU system.

Upon Schulz's retirement, members of the Washington Congressional Delegation issued a joint statement congratulating him on his tenure and recognizing his contributions to the university and the state. Congressman Dan Newhouse was among those who publicly honored Schulz's service.

Schulz was succeeded as WSU president by Elizabeth R. Cantwell, who became the 12th president of the university system.

Personal Life

Kirk Schulz is married to Noel Schulz, who is herself an accomplished academic in the field of electrical engineering. During their time at Kansas State University, Noel Schulz was recognized for her role as the university's first lady and for her own professional contributions. The couple has two children.

During Schulz's years at WSU, both he and Noel Schulz were active in the university community, participating in campus events and engaging with students, alumni, and supporters. Their farewell message in March 2025 reflected on the personal connections they had formed during their time in the WSU community.

Recognition

Congressional Honors

In April 2025, upon Schulz's retirement from Washington State University, the Washington Congressional Delegation issued a statement honoring his service. The delegation praised Schulz for his leadership of the university and his contributions to the state of Washington during his nearly nine-year tenure.

Naming of WSU Spokane Facility

In September 2025, the WSU Board of Regents voted unanimously to rename a building on the Washington State University Spokane campus in honor of Kirk Schulz. The decision recognized Schulz's role in the growth and development of the Spokane campus during his presidency. The renamed facility is part of ongoing expansion plans for the WSU Spokane campus.

Presidential Portrait

On September 8, 2025, Washington State University unveiled Schulz's presidential portrait at a ceremony held on the Pullman campus. The portrait was painted by artist Grace Flott, who was selected for the commission. The portrait joins those of previous WSU presidents displayed at the university, continuing a tradition of honoring the institution's past leaders.

Legacy

Kirk Schulz's combined tenure as president of two major public research universities — Kansas State University and Washington State University — spanned nearly sixteen years, from 2009 to 2025. At Kansas State, he served as the 13th president during a period of institutional growth and strategic planning. At Washington State, he served as the 11th president and led the multi-campus university system through a period that included the challenges of a global pandemic, shifting dynamics in collegiate athletics, and ongoing efforts to expand the university's research capacity and academic reach.

The decision by the WSU Board of Regents to rename a facility on the Spokane campus in his honor, along with the unveiling of his presidential portrait and the recognition from the Washington Congressional Delegation, reflects the institutional regard in which his presidency was held at the time of his departure.

Schulz's successor at WSU, Elizabeth R. Cantwell, took office following his retirement, inheriting a university system that Schulz had led through a particularly turbulent period in American higher education. His career trajectory — from chemical engineering researcher to faculty member to university president — reflects a path taken by a number of prominent university leaders who have leveraged disciplinary expertise and academic administration experience to lead large, complex institutions.