About the Northwest Academic Forum

The Northwest Academic Forum (NWAF) addresses regional higher education issues and engages in cooperative resource sharing.  Its members are public and private doctoral and master's level institutions and university system offices in the WICHE states of Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming.  The institutions are represented by the provosts, academic vice presidents, and the chief executive or chief academic officers from the state governing board.

NWAF was established in 1984 through a grant from the Northwest Area Foundation.  The Burlington Northern Foundation and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust also provided support.

The Forum meets annually in the spring to:

• exchange information on issues affecting higher education in the Northwest and discuss common project opportunities;

• promote the use of telecommunications and new technologies;

• address other timely concerns.

NWAF is governed by an executive committee comprised of an elective representative from each state.  A chair and program chair oversee the activities of the Forum.

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) provides staff support and is the fiscal agent for the Forum.