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Since 1955, Washington has partnered with and benefited from WICHE through regional collaboration, resource-sharing, sound public policy, and innovation.
Download the factsheet for Washington here.
0
TOTAL SAVED
by Washington students through WICHE Student Access Programs
0
SAVED
through WUE
0
SAVED
through WRGP
WICHE’s Student Access Programs
WICHE operates three Student Access Programs that together saved students $613 million in 2023-24. Each program supports students at each level of postsecondary education: undergraduate, graduate, and professional healthcare studies.
- Students gain from increased choice and savings.
- Schools gain by optimizing enrollments.
- States and Pacific Island members gain by growing the skills of those they serve and strengthening their workforce.
I fell in love with Western Washington University while on a campus tour. The campus had this vibe, people were so kind and accepting. Their exceptional creative writing program made me feel like I could thrive there. WUE made enrolling at WWU possible, and I look forward to becoming a writer.
DIEGO, California resident, Bachelor of Arts in English, Western Washington University
Improving Lives in Washington
WICHE works collaboratively to expand educational access and excellence for all residents of the West. By promoting innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy, WICHE strengthens higher education’s contributions to the region’s social, economic, and civic life. Learn more about our mission.
Regional Collaboration
WICHE brings together senior academic leaders to foster dialogue about issues facing individual institutions through its leadership and professional development networks.
WESTERN ALLIANCE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE ACADEMIC LEADERS – 2-YEAR INSTITUTIONS
- Centralia College
- Clover Basin Technical College
- Spokane Community College
- Walla Walla Community College
- Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Valerie Sundby, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, serves as the meeting chair on the Alliance executive committee.
WESTERN ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP FORUM – 4-YEAR INSTITUTIONS
- Central Washington University
- The Evergreen State College
- Washington Council of Presidents
- Washington State University Vancouver
Renny Christopher, Washington State University Vancouver, serves on the Forum executive committee.
WESTERN ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP ACADEMY is a year-long professional development program for academic leaders aspiring to become chief academic officers in the WICHE region. Seven cohort members from Washington institutions have participated in the Academy since its inception in 2015.
NO HOLDING BACK Central Washington University is one of 12 WICHE institutions that participated in a community of practice in which institutions analyzed data and revised policies related to transcript and student holds in 2022-23.
Thanks to collaboration with the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), one of four U.S. regional higher education compacts, WICHE-region educational institutions, nonprofits, and public education entities can benefit from three programs: MHECtech, which provides competitively bid purchasing contracts for an array of hardware, software, and technology services; MHECare, which provides a student health insurance plan and teletherapy services; and a MHEC Cyber Insurance Program, which offers risk transfer and advisory solutions. Learn more.
Washington participates in the STATE AUTHORIZATION RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT (SARA) through WICHE. This voluntary agreement provides reciprocity for the state authorization of distance education.
Optimal Behavioral Healthcare
WICHE Behavioral Health Program administers the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) and supports three grantees in Washington (across four sites): Kittitas County Health Network, Mason County Health, and Northwest Medical Foundation of Tillamook.
Sound Public Policy
Knocking at the College Door is the leading U.S. resource for projections of college-ready students. Knocking, which includes a quadrennial publication with additional analysis, is essential for postsecondary policymakers, planning and workforce efforts, and economic development.
WICHE offers curated data and policy resources to support better-informed decision-making:
- Tuition and Fees in the West includes tuition, fees, and enrollment data about 350+ public institutions in the West.
- Benchmarks: WICHE Region presents information on the West’s progress in improving access to, success in, and financing of higher education.
- Data on over 35 indicators in WICHE’s Regional Fact Book for Higher Education in the West.
WICHE staff have presented to Washington’s House College and Workforce Development Committee on evidence-based policies to support student success in these challenging times.
CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICERS NETWORK Staff from the Washington Student Achievement Council also participate in regular collaborative calls with colleagues around the region.
Innovative Solutions
WCET- The WICHE Cooperative for Education Technologies is the leader in practice, policy, and advocacy of technology-enhanced learning in higher education. Washington WCET members include Bellevue College, Central Washington University, Community Colleges of Spokane, Eastern Washington University, Pierce College, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle University, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and Washington State University.
Chantae Recasner of Seattle Central College serves as the WCET Steering Committee chair and also serves on the Executive Council.
Additionally, Bates Technical College, Bellevue College, Big Bend Community College, Cascadia Community College, Clark College, Columbia Basin College, Community Colleges of Spokane, Eastern Washington University, Everett Community College, Grays Harbor College, Green River College, Heritage University, Highline College, Lower Columbia College, Olympia College, Peninsula College, Pierce College, Seattle Central College, Seattle University, Shoreline Community College, Skagit Valley College, Tacoma Community College, Walla Walla Community College, and Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges are members of the State Authorization Network (SAN), which helps guide institutions through state regulations around online courses and programs.
WICHE has convened the OERWest Network, which is part of a nationwide collaborative to scale the development and adoption of free course materials. Open educational resources (OER) have shown promise in improving student outcomes, particularly for poverty-affected students, for whom the high cost of textbooks can be a barrier to postsecondary success.
WICHE Commissioners
*indicates Executive Committee member
John Carmichael
President, Evergreen State College
* Michael Meotti
Executive Director, Washington Student Achievement Council
Gerry Pollet
Representative, Washington State Legislature
Legislative Advisory Committee
Debra Entenman
Representative, Washington State Legislature
Mari Leavitt
Representative, Washington State Legislature
Gerry Pollet
Representative, Washington State Legislature
Vandana Slatter
Representative, Washington State Legislature