Forum Past Annual Meetings

2025 Annual Meeting

This convening brought together the Western Academic Leadership Forum (Forum) and the Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders (Alliance) for a joint annual meeting of WICHE’s academic partnerships in Reno, NV from April 23-25, 2025. The theme, “Partnerships: Stronger Together,” was chosen to honor the two groups coming together. Participants considered how institutions can collaborate across institutions and departments and with workforce partners and policymakers.

2024 Meeting

With the theme “Bridging Place and Purpose,” this meeting took place April 3-5, 2024 in Honolulu, HI. Participants considered the impact of local culture, demographics, and needs on the mission, vision, and values of their institutions.

2023 Meeting

With the theme “Higher Education: Creating Pathways for Brighter Futures,” this meeting took place April 26-28, 2023 in Tucson, AZ. Participants took stock of the changing demographics of today’s students and institutions to consider building the best possible future for all.

2022 Meeting

With the theme “Looking to the Future: New Directions for Higher Education,” this meeting took place April 20-22, 2022 in Portland, OR. Participants took stock of the impact of the pandemic and the future of higher education as it responds to the new and changing landscape.

2020 and 2021 Webinar Series

This webinar series, themed “The New World of Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities of COVID-19,” occurred during the 2020-21 pandemic.

2019 Meeting

Themed “A Place for All? Belonging in Higher Education,” this meeting took place April 24-26 in Boulder, CO.  The program looked to raise questions about and propose solutions for enhancing the sense of belonging for all who live and work in higher education.

2018 Meeting

Themed “Breaking Through the Noise, Messaging for Maximum Impact,” this meeting took place April 25-27 in Vancouver, Wash.  The program looked to the present and future of higher education and focused on improving storytelling for multiple audiences (students, legislators, faculty) through channels ranging from face-to-face to social media and online education platforms.

2017 Meeting

Themed “Designing for Quality in Higher Education Facet by Facet”, this meeting took place April 2017 at the Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel in Utah.