Washington State University’s new leader envisions big changes as the school grapples with enrollment, research advancement and keeping its athletic programs relevant.

Betsy Cantwell, hired in February as president of WSU, outlined where she wants to direct the university during a meeting of the WSU board of regents in Spokane last week.

And she wants to address a stubborn identity problem, too.

Several of the regents all but threw their hands up in celebration after Cantwell laid out her vision and stressed that it is time for the university community to walk away from the underdog mentality that has haunted it for years.

Regent Howard Wright, founder and chairman of Seattle Hospitality Group and a 1976 WSU alum, said he was encouraged to hear Cantwell’s desire to dismantle “this sort

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