Tauhid Haque is the new director of development in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Tauhid comes to WSU Pullman following a similar role he held at the WSU Global Campus where he built a fundraising program from the ground up. Based in Olympia, Tauhid will focus on college-wide development and alumni relations in western Washington. By taking the new role, Tauhid said he’s excited to combine his love of learning and animals. “I knew I couldn’t resist being part of such an amazing cause,” he said.
Q: What has been your academic/career path leading up to WSU?
Ever since I tossed my graduation cap in the air at college, a secret dream flickered in my heart: to return someday and delve even deeper into knowledge. Walt Disney World was magical, but the call of academia never truly faded. So, when the opportunity to go back to school for my master’s degree arose, I grabbed it with both hands. During my studies, I discovered a hidden passion for something unexpected – fundraising! Helping others chase their educational dreams, much like mine, sparked a fire within me.
Two master’s degrees later (talk about a double dose of learning!), I knew exactly where I wanted to be: working in fundraising and staying close to the world of knowledge. This path led me on a wonderful journey through various fundraising roles, eventually landing me at Washington State University in 2022.
At WSU, I had the incredible chance to build a fundraising program from the ground up, spearheading efforts for the Global Campus. But then, fate (or maybe a sprinkle of Disney magic?) intervened. An opportunity to work with the College of Veterinary Medicine opened up, and I knew I couldn’t resist being part of such an amazing cause. Here, I could combine my love of learning with the joy of helping animals – a dream come true!
Q: What drew you to WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine?
I am drawn to the College of Veterinary Medicine for several reasons. First and foremost, the college’s mission to improve veterinary medicine and animal well-being deeply resonates with my passions. It gives my work a strong sense of purpose and motivates me to achieve the best results.
Secondly, the college’s focus on veterinary medicine allows me to connect with donors who share my profound interest in the field—fostering meaningful relationships and a sense of fulfillment beyond simply raising money.
The prestige and reputation of WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine is not just a source of pride; it’s an honor. The college’s excellence in education, research, and clinical care allows me to represent an institution with a distinguished history and remarkable achievements, filling me with a deep sense of pride.
Building relationships with donors passionate about animal health and welfare is not only rewarding, it’s a gateway to exciting opportunities for my own personal and professional growth. In short, the combination of a compelling mission, a prestigious reputation, a collaborative environment, and the chance for personal and professional growth make working for WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine an ideal fit for me, someone dedicated to advancing animal health and welfare through philanthropy.
Q: What is your area of expertise?
During my career, I have had to wear many hats and learn skills, and I enjoy doing so. My expertise lies in connecting people and their passions through development and fundraising work at higher education institutions.
Q: What drew you into this area? Any specific experiences, mentors, influences that helped guide you?
So, picture this: I started off as a rookie phonathon caller for my alma mater. They handed me a bunch of call sheets and a script, thinking it was a piece of cake. But let me tell you, it’s anything but easy.
For hours, I’m making calls and getting shot down left and right. Rejection after rejection, it starts getting to me. Halfway through my first shift, I’m ready to throw in the towel.
But just as I’m about to resign, my manager stops me. Instead of letting me quit, they tell me to chat with the person sitting next to me. Reluctantly, I gave it a shot.
Turns out, that simple conversation can change everything. Talking to my colleague about their dreams, aspirations and how they funded their education, it hit me. I was going at fundraising the wrong way and the impact of my work is far reaching. It’s about connecting with folks with passion for philanthropy and eliminating barriers for folks that’s stopping them from achieving their college dreams.
Q: What about your work are you most excited for/proud of and why?
The most rewarding part of my job as a fundraiser is helping students! Scholarship programs I support remove money worries, letting deserving students focus on their studies. These scholarships are like magic keys, unlocking amazing college experiences for those who might not be able to afford them.
But scholarships aren’t all I love! Funding cool new programs is awesome too. These programs go beyond textbooks, encouraging teamwork, research, and learning by doing. We’re not just teaching students, we’re helping them become critical thinkers, ready to solve problems in the future.
The best part? I get to meet amazing people who want to help students just like me! Together, we turn donations into real improvements. Maybe it’s a new library, a center to help students succeed, or a club – every gift makes a difference. It helps students chase their dreams, supports faculty, and strengthens our whole community.
Basically, my job is about making college possible for everyone and creating a fun, welcoming environment where all students can succeed. That’s why I love my job!
Q: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
They wouldn’t guess from looking at me, but wanderlust runs deep! I’ve explored 48 states across the US and set foot in 15 countries. Travel is a huge passion of mine. My dream is to visit all 195 countries.