Annual Meeting, September 14-15, 2026

AC Bozeman Hotel | Bozeman, MT

Monday, September 14

Proactively Reconsidering the Postsecondary Landscape

States are confronting unprecedented shifts in demographics, workforce needs, fiscal realities, and
federal priorities. In response, legislators and higher education leaders are taking a fresh look at
how postsecondary institutions collaborate, adapt, and contribute to state goals. This session
highlighted how states are working to align postsecondary systems with state priorities and build more
responsive, resilient institutions for the future

Facilitator:
Demarée Michelau, President, WICHE

Speakers:
Ben Cannon, Executive Director, Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission and WICHE Commissioner
Geoffrey Landward, Commissioner of Higher Education, Utah System of Higher Education and WICHE Commissioner
Senator Ann Millner, Utah State Legislature and WICHE Commission Chair
Senator Rob Wagner, Oregon Legislature

Building Effective Outcomes-Based Funding Models for Postsecondary Education

As states across the West continue to explore outcomes-based funding models, this session offered a deep dive into the legislative considerations of model elements. Presenters reviewed the available evidence on outcomes-based funding’s impact, described models used across the region, and explored key questions for legislative consideration using a case study approach.

Moderator:
Colleen Falkenstern, Director of Evidence and Strategic Initiatives, WICHE

Speakers:
Patricia Charlton, Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration, Northwest Commission on Colleges and
Universities and WICHE Commissioner | Presentation
Connor Jorgensen, Principal Analyst, Legislative Finance Committee, New Mexico Legislature | Presentation

Workforce Pell in Practice: Implementation and Next Steps

The expansion of the federal Pell Grant to short-term programs went into effect July 1, 2026,
putting states in the unprecedented position of determining whether or not their programs meet a
host of federally mandated requirements for eligibility. The session included examples of state
processes to date and a discussion of what role legislators might play going forward.

Moderator:
Christina Sedney, Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, WICHE

Speakers:
Austin Reid, Federal Affairs Advisor, National Conference of State Legislatures | Presentation
Tiffany Sanderson, President, Lake Area Technical College
Madeleine Thompson, Acting Executive Director, Washington Workforce Training and Education
Coordinating Board

LAC Roundtable Discussions

Legislators participated in small group discussions led by WICHE staff to identify shared legislative
priorities across four topics: behavioral health, federal policy, workforce solutions, and artificial intelligence.

Wednesday, September 15

Beyond the Playing Field: The Future of Athletics in Postsecondary Education

College athletics is undergoing profound change, driven by evolving case law, a growing patchwork
of state policies, the uncertain prospect of federal action, and new models for student-athlete
compensation and participation. These developments are reshaping institutional finances and the
student experience in ways that extend far beyond athletics programs themselves. This session examined how these changes are affecting campuses, discussed the implications for postsecondary education policy, and considered the long-term role of athletics within public higher education.

Moderator:
Christina Sedney, Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, WICHE

Speakers:
David Kaufman, Partner, Thompson Coburn LLP | Presentation
Brock Tessman, President, Montana State University
Tom Wistrcill, Commissioner, Big Sky Conference

Exploring Dual Enrollment: Program Design, Evidence, and Open Questions

Legislators have invested millions of dollars in dual and concurrent enrollment, offering secondary
students the opportunity to earn state-subsidized college credit while in high school. However, the
unique structure of each state’s programs and the challenges of tracking long-term outcomes mean
that many questions still remain regarding the most effective approaches to program design and
funding strategy. The session engaged legislators in a conversation about what we know and
what we still need to learn about dual enrollment in the West.

Moderator:
Patrick Lane, Vice President, Policy Analysis and Research, WICHE

Speakers:
JB Holston, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Higher Education and WICHE Commissioner
Lisa Johnson, Deputy Commissioner for Academic and Student Affairs, North Dakota University System
Amy Williams, Executive Director, National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships