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Since 2023, American Samoa has partnered with and benefited from WICHE through regional collaboration, resource-sharing, sound public policy, and innovation.
Download the factsheet for American Samoa here.
American Samoa passed the necessary legislation to join WICHE’s Pacific Islands membership effective December 6, 2023. Learn more about American Samoa joining WICHE here.
WICHE’s Student Access Programs
WICHE operates three Student Access Programs that together saved students $613 million in 2023-24. Each program supports students at each level of postsecondary education: undergraduate, graduate, and professional healthcare studies.
- Students gain from increased choice and savings.
- Schools gain by optimizing enrollments.
- States and Pacific Island members gain by growing the skills of those they serve and strengthening their workforce.
Improving Lives in American Samoa
WICHE works collaboratively to expand educational access and excellence for all residents of the West. By promoting innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy, WICHE strengthens higher education’s contributions to the region’s social, economic, and civic life. Learn more about our mission.
Regional Collaboration
The Pacific Islands membership is thanks in part to substantial collaboration and leadership, as well as a grant from the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, which was renewed for a second consecutive year in 2022 to cover WICHE’s annual dues. With the addition of American Samoa in 2023, WICHE now includes all eligible states, territories, and freely associated states in the West.
WICHE brings together senior academic leaders to foster dialogue about issues facing individual institutions through its leadership and professional development networks.
WESTERN ALLIANCE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE ACADEMIC LEADERS – 2-YEAR INSTITUTIONS
WESTERN ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP FORUM – 4-YEAR INSTITUTIONS
WESTERN ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP ACADEMY is a yearlong professional development program for academic leaders aspiring to become chief academic officers in the WICHE region.
NO HOLDING BACK In 2022-23, 12 WICHE institutions analyzed data, policies, and practices to make improvements to how it used holds on registration or transcripts, and
contributed to the development of tools for other institutions to undertake this work.
Sound Public Policy
Knocking at the College Door is the leading U.S. resource for projections of college-ready students. Knocking, which includes a quadrennial publication with additional analysis, is essential for postsecondary policymakers, planning and workforce efforts, and economic development.
WICHE offers curated data and policy resources to support better-informed decision-making:
- Tuition and Fees in the West includes tuition, fees, and enrollment data about 350+ public institutions in the West.
- Benchmarks: WICHE Region presents information on the West’s progress in improving access to, success in, and financing of higher education.
- Data on over 35 indicators in WICHE’s Regional Fact Book for Higher Education in the West.
WICHE continues to advocate for considering the unique challenges faced by the Pacific Islands and the need for incorporating their data in federal collections and analysis.
WICHE Commissioners
* Frankie Eliptico
Representing CNMI, Vice President, Administration and Advancement, Northern Marianas College
Rodney Jacob
Representing Guam, Attorney, Partner, Calvo Fisher & Jacob LLP
Kalani Kaneko
Senator, Republic of the Marshall Island
Legislative Advisory Committee
Manny Gregory Castro
Representative, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Kalani Kaneko
Senator, Republic of the Marshall Island
Tina Rose Muña Barnes
Senator, Guam Legislature
Amanda Shelton
Senator, Guam Legislature