A Legacy of Growth: Dean Dori Borjesson Announces Retirement from WSU College of Veterinary Medicine

Main Facts: A New Chapter for Washington State University

Washington State University (WSU) has announced that Dr. Dori Borjesson, the esteemed Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, will retire in the spring of 2027. This decision marks the conclusion of a transformative seven-year tenure that redefined the college’s academic, research, and infrastructure landscape.

Dr. Borjesson, who made history as the college’s first female dean upon her appointment in 2020, will remain in her current role for the next two years. This transition period ensures continuity as the university prepares for a comprehensive leadership succession. Provost and Executive Vice President Chris Riley-Tillman has confirmed that the Provost’s Office will initiate a national search for a successor beginning in September. This search is expected to attract high-caliber candidates from across the globe, reflecting the elevated national stature of the WSU program under Borjesson’s guidance.

The Evolution of Leadership: A Chronological Retrospective

To understand the impact of Dr. Borjesson’s tenure, one must look at the trajectory of the college over the past four years. When she arrived in Pullman in 2020, the higher education landscape was shifting under the weight of a global pandemic and evolving technological demands in clinical training.

• 2020: The Arrival. Dr. Borjesson transitioned to WSU from the University of California, Davis, where she had served as chair of the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. Her arrival at WSU was historic, as she became the first woman to lead the College of Veterinary Medicine, bringing a wealth of experience in clinical pathology and collaborative research.
• 2021–2022: Strategic Stabilization and Growth. During the early years of her deanship, Borjesson focused on stabilizing the college’s research output and navigating the unique educational challenges posed by remote and hybrid learning. During this time, she began laying the groundwork for key facility upgrades and curriculum enhancements.
• 2023: The Investment Milestone. This year marked a pivot toward expansion. Borjesson successfully lobbied for and secured $2.5 million in state funding for a new public health degree program—a move that aligned the college more closely with modern interdisciplinary healthcare needs. Simultaneously, she oversaw $10 million in renovations to Bustad Hall, focusing on simulation-based learning.
• 2024: A Period of Record-Breaking Success. Under her leadership, the college welcomed the largest incoming class of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students in its history, proving that her recruitment and outreach strategies had successfully positioned WSU as a premier destination for veterinary education.
• 2025–2027: The Transition. With the retirement announcement, the college enters a two-year phase of strategic planning, aiming to finalize major projects and facilitate a seamless hand-off to the next administrative team.

Supporting Data: By the Numbers

The success of Dr. Borjesson’s tenure is best quantified by the significant financial and academic benchmarks reached during her time in office. Her leadership style, often described as “data-driven yet collaborative,” resulted in measurable growth across multiple sectors:

Research and Academic Funding

The $2.5 million in state-level investment for the public health degree program was more than just a financial win; it represented a strategic expansion into the "One Health" concept—the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health. This program was designed to address critical shortages in public health professionals across Washington, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Infrastructure and Facilities

The $10 million investment in Bustad Hall was a cornerstone of her facility-modernization strategy. The upgrades included:

• Simulation Labs: Implementing high-fidelity models that allow students to practice complex surgeries and diagnostic procedures in a controlled, low-risk environment.
• Undergraduate Laboratory Space: Increasing capacity for pre-veterinary undergraduate research, which serves as a talent pipeline for the college.

Enrollment and Alumni Relations

One of the most notable metrics of her success has been student engagement. By increasing the intake of the DVM program, Borjesson addressed the national demand for veterinarians while maintaining the rigorous academic standards for which WSU is known. Her efforts to strengthen relationships with alumni and industry partners resulted in increased private donations, which have bolstered student scholarships and faculty research grants.

Official Responses and Professional Recognition

The announcement of Dr. Borjesson’s retirement has elicited an outpouring of support from the university’s top leadership, faculty, and the broader veterinary community.

Provost Chris Riley-Tillman expressed deep gratitude for Borjesson’s stewardship, noting, “In her tenure at WSU, Dori has been a tireless champion for the college and its programs. Her advocacy and leadership have elevated the stature of the college, and I am grateful for her willingness to continue to lead through this transition.”

For her part, Dr. Borjesson remains humble about her contributions, focusing instead on the collective effort of her team. "It has been an honor to serve alongside the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters of the College of Veterinary Medicine," she said in a recent statement. "Together, we have expanded opportunities for our students, advanced research and public health initiatives, strengthened our clinical programs, and reinforced our commitment to serving the people and animals of Washington and beyond. I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together and excited for the college’s future. We have an extraordinary leadership team."

Her sentiments reflect a career defined by servant leadership, prioritizing the institutional health of the college over personal recognition.

The Implications: What Lies Ahead for WSU Veterinary Medicine

The departure of a leader of Borjesson’s caliber brings both challenges and opportunities for WSU. As the university prepares to launch a national search in September, several key themes will define the future of the college:

The "One Health" Trajectory

The next dean will inherit a college that is deeply integrated into global health initiatives. The momentum behind the public health degree program and interdisciplinary research suggests that the next leader must be comfortable operating at the intersection of various scientific disciplines. The search committee is likely to prioritize candidates with strong backgrounds in collaborative, multi-institutional research.

Addressing the Veterinary Shortage

The national veterinary shortage is a persistent issue. The next administration will need to build upon Borjesson’s work in expanding enrollment while maintaining the high quality of clinical instruction. This will likely involve balancing the need for larger classes with the physical limitations of existing facilities, potentially necessitating future rounds of expansion or the development of remote clinical partnerships.

Sustaining Alumni and Donor Relations

Dr. Borjesson’s ability to foster deep, lasting relationships with donors has provided the college with a financial buffer that has proven invaluable for long-term projects. The successor will need to demonstrate strong fundraising capabilities to ensure that the college can continue to invest in cutting-edge simulation technology and research equipment without relying solely on state funding.

Community Engagement

Beyond the classroom and the lab, the college serves a vital role for the agricultural and companion-animal owners of Washington state. Borjesson’s focus on community engagement has cemented the college’s status as a public service institution. Maintaining these community ties will be essential for the college’s continued relevance and support at the legislative level.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Integrity and Innovation

As Dr. Borjesson prepares for her eventual departure in 2027, the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine stands on firmer ground than perhaps ever before. Her legacy is one of modernization, strategic growth, and inclusive leadership. By championing the first female deanship and overseeing historic investments in infrastructure, she has set a high bar for her successor.

The upcoming national search represents a critical juncture for the college. While the search process will be extensive, the stability provided by Borjesson’s two-year notice ensures that the transition will be methodical and thoughtful. For the faculty, staff, and students of Washington State University, the next two years will be a time of celebration for a tenure well-served and a time of anticipation for the future of veterinary excellence in the Pacific Northwest.

Further information regarding the search committee members, community town halls, and opportunities for stakeholder feedback is expected to be released by the Provost’s Office this coming fall. As the college moves forward, the foundation laid by Dr. Borjesson will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of its ongoing success in animal health, education, and public service.