Tariq Akmal never set out to become an administrator. In fact, when he was a middle-school teacher early in his career, he often resisted the idea.
“I was told by my building principal early on, ‘You should be an administrator,’” Akmal said. “And I thought, no thank you. I’ve seen what principals do and I don’t want that.”
Yet this summer, Akmal, who was named WSU’s 2022 Outstanding Department Chair of the Year, assumed the role of associate dean for Academic affairs with WSU’s College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences.
It’s the latest step in a career that has spanned middle school classrooms, teacher education, department leadership, national, and statewide service. During this time, he coordinated the university’s secondary education program, directed teacher education across campuses, and chaired the Department of Teaching and Learning for more than a decade.
Along the way, Akmal has built the kind of preparation and perspective that makes him well-suited for the position. Each role, he said, gave him opportunities to listen, negotiate, and lead.
“When I started as a young faculty member, I didn’t know what I didn’t know,” Akmal said. “So, I asked a lot of questions. I learned that to make change happen, you go meet people on their turf, hear what they want, and work from there.”
…the heart of this work is connecting with others and making sure they have what they need to thrive.
Tariq Akmal, associate dean
College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences
Washington State University
Those habits now shape how he views his new post, which includes, among other things, overseeing curriculum, advising, recruitment, retention, and program assessment across the college. It’s a wide portfolio, but Akmal sees continuity between these administrative duties and his earlier teaching.
“For me, it’s always been about preparing teachers and helping programs succeed,” he said. “Now I get to help programs across three departments instead of just one.”
Even as his responsibilities have expanded, Akmal insists he still sees himself as an ambassador for the college.
“It’s about people,” he said simply. “Whether you’re working with faculty, students, or colleagues across the university, the heart of this work is connecting with others and making sure they have what they need to thrive.”
That people-first approach has kept Akmal rooted at WSU. While he said administrative roles are often short on people willing to apply, Akmal views his own trajectory less as a climb than as a series of opportunities to contribute.
“What matters most to me is serving the place I know best, where I can make a difference.”
And, while his intention was never administration, Akmal steps into this new chapter with the same blend of pragmatism and optimism that has marked his career.
“I’m excited about what tomorrow brings,” he said. “I didn’t plan to be here, but I’m ready for it. And as long as we keep the focus on people, I think we’ll do well.”
