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Staff Directory
Kate Baca
Policy Analyst, Policy Analysis and Research
Kate Baca is a Policy Analyst in the Policy and Research unit at WICHE. In her role, she supports work on Open Educational Resources (OER) research and policy implementation as well as greater policy supporting student postsecondary achievement and attainment across the west. Her previous work includes understanding systems change in K-12 policy as a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the National Education Policy Center at University of Colorado Boulder, which was informed by her work as a middle school science teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University, a master’s degree from the University of Saint Joseph and a doctoral degree in education from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Colleen Falkenstern
Director of Evidence and Strategic Initiatives, Policy Analysis and Research
303.541.0313cfalkenstern@wiche.edu
Colleen Falkenstern serves as the Director of Evidence and Strategic Initiatives in WICHE’s Policy Analysis and Research unit. In her role, she leads the unit’s work on a range of postsecondary education data and research initiatives and the development of data resources to support better informed decision-making in the West. These resources include WICHE’s annual collection of tuition and fees data and WICHE’s quadrennial projections of high school graduates, Knocking at the College Door. In her time at WICHE, she has worked on projects supporting Native American Serving Nontribal Institutions, addressing healthcare workforce issues, better alignment between higher education and workforce, and postsecondary completion. She received a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from the University of South Carolina—Columbia and a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Denver.
Caitlyn Glaser
Research Analyst, Policy Analysis and Research
Caitlyn Potter Glaser serves as the Research Analyst for the Policy Analysis and Research unit. Her work advances the unit’s data, research, and project management activities, including WICHE’s Knocking on the College Door report. Prior to joining WICHE, Caitlyn worked as a Graduate Research Assistant conducting higher ed research with the University of Denver Morgridge College of Education. Her previous career in enrollment management supported transfer students, international admissions, community college partnerships, and transfer credit articulation. Caitlyn is currently a PhD Candidate in Higher Education (ABD) at the University of Denver. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Education in Adult Education from Strayer University.
Molly Hall-Martin
Director, W-SARA, Policy Analysis and Research
303.541.0308mhmartin@wiche.edu
Molly E. Hall-Martin, Ph.D. (Kul Wicasa Oyate/Lower Brule Lakota) serves as Director for the WICHE State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (W-SARA) where she manages the implementation, administration, and oversight of W-SARA. Prior to joining WICHE, Molly served as the Director of Student Preparation & Success for the South Dakota Board of Regents, as a staff member at Lower Brule Community College, and as an intern at the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) and the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO). Molly holds a B.A. in American Indian Studies from the University of North Carolina, an M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Iowa.
Lisa Kirchherr
Administrative Assistant III, Policy Analysis and Research
303.541.0232lkirchherr@wiche.edu
Lisa Kirchherr serves as an Administrative Assistant III in the Policy Unit at WICHE, where she provides essential operational and administrative support to the team. Before joining WICHE, Lisa was a Volunteer Coordinator at Mile High United Way, where she helped plan the organization’s signature events and coordinated volunteer efforts that mobilized hundreds of community members every year. That experience deepened her commitment to public service and sharpened her skills in project coordination and stakeholder engagement. Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri–Columbia and a master’s degree in Public Policy Administration from the University of Missouri–Saint Louis. Her academic background gives her a thoughtful, people-centered approach to the administrative work she does every day. Outside of work, Lisa loves spending time outdoors. She likes to hike with her husband, take her dog on long walks, and paddleboard when she has the time.
Patrick Lane
Vice President, Policy Analysis and Research
Patrick Lane is the Vice President of WICHE’s Policy Analysis and Research unit. In this role, he oversees a range of work focused on improving access to and excellence in postsecondary education through sound public policy and research. This portfolio of work includes efforts to improve the value of postsecondary education, address students’ behavioral health needs, increase affordability, and ensure robust regional collaboration. He previously was WICHE’s director of data initiatives leading efforts to improve linkages between state data systems. Prior to this role, he coordinated WICHE’s efforts on adult learners and improving postsecondary access for low-income students. He came to WICHE after spending several years working in education policy in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Lane completed a doctorate in public affairs at the University of Colorado Denver in 2015.
Shelley Plutto
Project Manager, W-SARA, Policy Analysis and Research
Shelley Plutto is the project manager for the W-SARA program based at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). She manages the day-to-day operations of W-SARA and organizes special events and meetings for the program. She also provides support to W-SARA State Portal Entities in their implementation of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. Prior to serving in this position, she was the administrative assistant for WICHE’s Interstate Passport program and WCET. Her understanding of compliance began during her time working at a surety bonding company and at a veterinary internal medicine specialty clinic. She holds a B.F.A. from Frostburg State University and a master’s degree in legal studies from West Virginia University.
Christina Sedney
Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Policy Analysis and Research
Christina Sedney is the director of policy and strategic initiatives at WICHE, where she supports states and territories across the West in developing, implementing, and sharing solutions to higher education policy challenges. Her portfolio includes state-level approaches to short-term credentials, postsecondary behavioral health, and alignment between postsecondary education and the workforce. Sedney’s past work has ranged from helping states to better serve underrepresented student populations and adult learners to examining higher education governance issues. Prior to WICHE, Sedney worked for international nonprofit Teach For All and completed a fellowship with the Kenneth Rainin Foundation. She also held multiple roles with the AmeriCorps program City Year. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley.