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Since 1953, Wyoming has partnered with and benefited from WICHE through regional collaboration, resource-sharing, sound public policy, and innovation.

 

Download the factsheet for Wyoming here.

 

2022-23 ACADEMIC YEAR

0 TOTAL SAVED

by Wyoming students through WICHE Student Access Programs

0 SAVED

through WUE

0 SAVED

through WRGP

0 SAVED

through PSEP

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.

PSEP has been a blessing to my family
and me. Thanks to PSEP, I can pursue my dream career while not overwhelming myself with substantial debt. I consider myself incredibly lucky to receive help from this wonderful program. Thank you to WICHE and to my great home state of Wyoming.

JAKE, Wyoming resident, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University

Improving Lives in Wyoming

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.

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

  •    Eastern Wyoming College
  •  Laramie County Community College
  •  Western Wyoming Community College

Kari Brown-Herbst, Laramie County Community College, serves on the Alliance executive committee.

WESTERN ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP FORUM – 4-YEAR INSTITUTIONS

  •     University of Wyoming

Kevin Carman, University of Wyoming, serves on the Forum executive committee.

WESTERN ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP ACADEMY is a year-long professional development program for academic leaders aspiring to become chief academic officers in the WICHE region. One cohort member from Wyoming institutions has participated in the Academy since its inception in 2015.

NO HOLDING BACK Laramie County Community College is one of 12 WICHE institutions that participated in a community of practice in which institutions analyzed data and revised policies related to transcript and student holds in 2022-23.

Thanks to collaboration with the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), one of four U.S. regional higher education compacts, WICHE-region educational institutions, nonprofits, and public education entities can benefit from three programs: MHECtech, which provides competitively bid purchasing contracts for an array of hardware, software, and technology services; MHECare, which provides a student health insurance plan and teletherapy services; and a MHEC Cyber Insurance Program, which offers risk transfer and advisory solutions. Learn more.

Wyoming participates in the STATE AUTHORIZATION RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT (SARA) through WICHE. This voluntary agreement provides reciprocity for the state authorization of distance education.

WICHE ACADEMY FOR LEADERS IN THE HUMANITIES is a leadership development program for aspiring academic leaders with a background in the humanities. The two-year fellowship consists of campus-based and external mentoring, a three-day in-person seminar, and an extended project. J O’Brien, Laramie County Community College, is participating in the 2023-25 cohort.

WICHE Behavioral Health Program (BHP) co-administers the Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Center MP-MHTTC). The MP-MHTTC provides comprehensive training, resources, and technical assistance to mental health providers and other practitioners in the SAMHSA Region 8.

In October 2022, WICHE BHP was awarded a multiyear grant from SAMHSA to establish the Mountain Plains Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Center of Excellence (MP ROTAC). The MP ROTAC develops and disseminates resources, training, and technical assistance that focuses on opioid and stimulant misuse in rural areas throughout SAMHSA’s Region 8.

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:

WICHE is providing project management support through the Wyoming Community College Commission for the Wyoming Innovation Partnership. This ambitious statewide effort aims to modernize and develop a resilient state workforce and economy.

CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICERS NETWORK Staff from the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Community College Commission also participate in regular collaborative calls with colleagues around the region.

WCET- The WICHE Cooperative for Education Technologies is the leader in practice, policy, and advocacy of technology-enhanced learning in higher education.   Casper College, Central Wyoming College, Eastern Wyoming College, Laramie County Community College, Northwest College, University of Wyoming, and Western Wyoming Community College are WCET members.

Additionally,   the University of Wyoming is a member of the State Authorization Network (SAN), which helps guide institutions through state regulations around online courses and programs.

WICHE has convened the OERWest Network, which is part of a nationwide collaborative to scale the development and adoption of free course materials. Open educational resources (OER) have shown promise in improving student outcomes, particularly for poverty-affected students, for whom the high cost of textbooks can be a barrier to postsecondary success.

WICHE Commissioners

*indicates Executive Committee member

* Fred Baldwin

Senator, Wyoming State Legislature

Kevin Carman

Provost and Executive Vice President, University of Wyoming

Joseph Schaffer

President, Laramie County Community College

Legislative Advisory Committee

* Fred Baldwin

Senator, Wyoming State Legislature

Landon Brown

Representative, Wyoming State Legislature

Wendy Schuler

Senator, Wyoming State Legislature

Art Washut

Representative, Wyoming State Legislature