Anne Mason has been named dean of Washington State University’s College of Nursing, effective Nov. 1. Mason, who has served as interim dean since September 2025, was selected for the permanent role following a comprehensive internal review and meetings with external stakeholders.
Mason has been with the College of Nursing since 2002, has served as a clinical faculty member since 2010, and became associate dean for academic affairs in 2020. A Washingtonian originally from Walla Walla, she is a two-time WSU alumna having earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Nursing degrees from WSU Tri-Cities. Mason also has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Colorado Denver.
Mason is a board certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner and has cared for patients in a variety of settings over her 20-year career including in the Department of Corrections, private practice, and adolescent mental health. Over the course of her service to WSU, she has been part of the college’s transition from the consortium, the Intercollegiate Center for Nursing Education, to the WSU College of Nursing, and has extensive experience in curriculum development, accreditation and interprofessional education.
“Anne brings a deep understanding of the nursing profession, our students and the health care needs of communities across Washington,” said Provost and Executive Vice President Chris Riley-Tillman. “Her experience and understanding of the state’s nursing workforce needs make her uniquely positioned to lead the college and prepare the next generation of Coug Nurses for successful careers.”
As interim dean, Mason led the launch of the college’s Rural Nursing Pathway, a grant-funded program supported by the Washington State Department of Health, which expands access to nursing education for students in rural Washington. The program allows aspiring nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing and prepare for RN licensure while remaining in their home communities, completing clinical experiences at local hospitals, taking courses online, and receiving support from WSU faculty.
Mason has also led comprehensive curricular revisions across the college’s academic programs to align with updated national accreditation standards, including expanding the use of simulated clinical training across each of the college’s clinical programs.
“It is an honor to continue serving Washington State University and the College of Nursing,” Mason said. “Our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners are advancing the future of health care through innovation, scholarship, and service. I am deeply inspired by WSU’s land-grant mission and our commitment to improving the health and well-being of communities. As dean, I look forward to building on our strong foundation, expanding access to nursing education, and preparing the next generation of nurse leaders who will help address critical workforce shortages and meet the evolving health needs of our state and beyond.”
The College of Nursing is one of the largest contributors to Washington’s nursing workforce, graduating more than 335 Coug Nurses each year, including more than 200 new registered nurses. The College has over 14,000 alumni across the nation.
