COLLEEN KERR
Vice President of External Affairs and Chief Legislative Officer
colleen.kerr@wsu.edu
509-335-5756
In addition to her vice presidential duties, Colleen also serves as the co-chair of WSU’s Economic Development Council, where she leads the University’s efforts around the Seattle Initiative, dedicated to connecting WSU’s research, academic, and service mission to the greater Seattle region.
She is most often described by her colleagues as “enthusiastic” and, indeed, is very enthusiastic about helping to shape WSU’s strategic plan!
Colleen serves as an institutional leader in defining external strategic priorities and conducting outreach with multiple stakeholders from the public and private sectors. Projects representing her portfolio include leadership roles in initiatives that launched the WSU Everett campus, secured authorization and federal funding for the Center of Excellence designation of ASCENT, and authorized and established the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.
Born and raised in Eastern Washington, Colleen owns and operates Sweetgrass Food Company, located in downtown Seattle.