CWU names interim associate VP of academic affairs

ELLENSBURG — Central Washington University announced this week that it has selected Dr. Kurt Kirstein as interim associate vice president of academic affairs.

In his new role, Kirstein said he plans “to support the colleges as they offer innovative and relevant programs to an increasingly diverse set of students.”

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 that has been his focus since that time.

CWU Provost Michelle DenBeste said she looks forward to working alongside Kirstein: “He has the experience and skills needed to help move academic affairs initiatives forward. He is a collaborative leader who will work closely with faculty and leadership teams as we move into the next academic year.”

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.

Kirstein 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, Kirstein makes his permanent home in Monroe, where he lives with his husband.