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News Releases and Announcements

C. Scott Wo, of First Hawaiian Bank and Third-Generation Business Owner, Appointed to WICHE Commission

BOULDER, Colorado – C. Scott Wo, lead independent director of First Hawaiian Bank, has been appointed to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) by Gov. Josh Green. Alongside his role at First Hawaiian, Inc, Wo serves as chair of the University of Hawai‘i Foundation and as a member...

August 06, 2026

WICHE President Demarée Michelau Elected as NWCCU Commissioner

BOULDER, Colorado – The Board of Commissioners of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has elected Demarée Michelau, who serves as the president of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), as a new commissioner during its July meeting.   NWCCU accredits institutions of higher education by applying data- and evidence-informed...

July 30, 2026

Dr. Aparna Palmer, Chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast, Appointed to WICHE Commission

BOULDER, COLORADO — Dr. Aparna Palmer, chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), has been appointed to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.  Before joining UAS in 2023, Palmer was a professor of biology for 22 years...

June 10, 2026

Media Mentions

American Colleges are Facing an Enrollment Crisis as Young People Turn to Trades

An article from the New York Post discusses how two-year vocational programs have become viable alternatives to traditional four-year degrees. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source.

August 21, 2026

America’s Colleges Are Hurtling Toward an Enrollment Cliff

An article from The Wall Street Journal discusses the impact of a declining pool of high school graduates on higher education in the US. Data from Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates is cited. View original source. ($)

August 20, 2026

NAU Expecting Declines in International Student Enrollment Over Next Two Years

An article from the Arizona Daily Sun discusses how declines in student enrollment affect the school’s budget. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is mentioned. View original Source.

August 15, 2026

General Inquiries

Request a WICHE expert to participate in a media interview or another project. Email Melanie Sidwell, Vice President, Communications, at msidwell@wiche.edu.

Have a question or comment? Email info@wiche.edu.

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For more information, contact:

Melanie Sidwell

Vice President, Communications


303.541.0237

msidwell@wiche.edu

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