Message from the Chair

I would like to welcome all academic professionals concerned with innovating a quality future for higher education in the Western states to become involved with this dynamic new organization. The Western Alliance for Community College Academic Leaders (the Alliance) has emerged in the desire by its members to assist each other with the unprecedented challenges and opportunities facing our profession and the nation. The impacts of accreditation pressures, economic pressures, legislative pressures and more have resulted in the need for us all to rethink how to prepare more students for success, transfer, and the workforce than ever before. Everything from performance funding to alternative modes for developmental and remedial education to online trends will be considered by this group. Innovation and rethinking are the key themes. Already this group has outlined a revolutionary transfer vision that would create a friction free transfer zone for students in participating Western states. The group bases its discussions on data, innovation, policy levers, and change. We are an open and engaging group interested in new ideas and solutions, and we’re eager to involve you in making the Alliance a leading innovator in community college and technical school education practice in the West and the nation.