The Washington State University Board of Regents has announced that they have narrowed their presidential search to five candidates but will not reveal their identities, a decision that has raised concerns among transparency advocates. George Erb, secretary of the Washington Coalition for Open Government, criticized this approach, stating that confidential searches ignore the public's role in governance. This decision follows the announcement of current President Kirk Schulz's retirement, effective next summer, after a tenure that began in 2016. Most discussions were held in closed sessions, adhering to state laws allowing confidentiality for prospective hires. While some university community members support confidentiality to attract top candidates, critics argue that this secrecy may hinder public trust and engagement.

The Regents plan to interview the five finalists in January and will provide updates during public meetings in the following months, emphasizing the need for greater transparency in the selection process.