ICW in Action

Serving students across the state of Washington

A group of diverse men and women gathered on a staircase inside a building on a university campus. They are dressed in business and smart casual attire, smiling at the camera.

Expanding Access. Strengthening Washington.

Across seven decades, and guided by a statewide Board, Independent Colleges of Washington has championed educational opportunity. Today, we continue to elevate the essential role of our member campuses in expanding access to high-quality, mission-driven higher education.

Through policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and targeted fundraising, ICW removes barriers to college access and success—supporting students from exploration through graduation and strengthening the campuses and communities they serve.

The highlights below capture this work in action—demonstrating the partnerships and outcomes advancing student success across Washington.

Gonzaga University

•

Heritage University

•

Pacific Lutheran University

•

Saint Martin's University

•

Seattle Pacific University

•

Seattle University

•

University of Puget Sound

•

Whitman College

•

Whitworth University

•

Gonzaga University • Heritage University • Pacific Lutheran University • Saint Martin's University • Seattle Pacific University • Seattle University • University of Puget Sound • Whitman College • Whitworth University •

Engaging State & Federal Policymakers

Business leaders and policymakers agree: more Washington residents need postsecondary credentials to meet workforce demand. Employers value ICW graduates for their critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and strong work ethic.

Public and private investment is essential to expanding this talent pipeline. Through partnerships with government and donor support, ICW reduces financial barriers so students can enroll, persist, and complete degrees—while minimizing reliance on borrowing.

The need is clear: Washington is projected to have 436,000 job openings between 2021 and 2031, with 72% requiring education beyond high school. ICW campuses play a critical role in meeting this demand.

Through engagement with state and federal policymakers, ICW advances policies that expand access, strengthen student success, and ensure Washington’s workforce remains competitive.

State Priorities

Federal Priorities

Recent Highlights

The Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship were established to ensure Washington has the graduates needed to meet future workforce demand—and to ensure that financial barriers do not limit students’ potential.

Independent Colleges of Washington led robust advocacy for restoring Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship funding, including meetings with the Governor’s office, legislators, and earned media placements. Through this statewide grassroots advocacy campaign to Save Student Aid, lawmakers received more than a thousand emails.

Despite strong editorial support, including from The Seattle Times, and sustained advocacy from students, campuses, and partners through the Save Student Aid campaign, Washington’s final 2025–2027 supplemental operating budget did not restore recent cuts to these programs. This outcome falls short of what students need and deserve and underscores the urgency of continued engagement.

These cuts reduced support for eligible students attending private, not-for-profit colleges and universities—disrupting students in the midst of their degree progress and disproportionately affecting those facing the greatest barriers to opportunity:

67% are students of color
65% identify as women
62% are first-generation college students

In addition, one-third of Washington College Grant recipients at ICW campuses are transfer students.

These outcomes reinforce a clear imperative: sustained investment in financial aid is essential. ICW will continue working alongside students, policymakers, and partners to restore funding and ensure every Washington student has a fair opportunity to complete a degree.

🎥 Watch the Save Student Aid recap video

Two men dressed in suits standing inside a grand, ornate building with marble walls, large window, and a chandelier. The young man on the left is holding a Saint Martin's University pennant.

Two men in suits standing inside a grand marble building with flags and ornate details in the background.

A woman and a man standing inside a grand hall with ornate architecture, holding a navy blue banner that reads 'Whitman College.' The woman is wearing a black suit and a colorful scarf, and the man is dressed in a black blazer, white shirt, and khaki pants. They are smiling and standing in front of a decorative railing with a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling behind them.

Three people standing in front of a Gonzaga University banner in a room with wood paneling and floral wallpaper. The group includes a woman on the left and two men in suits, all smiling.

Three people standing on a pathway in front of a government building with a large dome, surrounded by trees and bushes, on a cloudy day.

Two men in suits standing on grass in front of a government building with a large dome, holding a red Whitworth University scarf.

Three people standing inside a grand marble hall with large arched windows and ornate architectural details.

Student voices are central to ICW’s work, and ICW’s educational fellowship supports students in learning about policy making and the state legislative process. Many Fellows joined with other students for visits with campus leaders to Olympia where they met with legislators and staff. Some take what they have learned to engage directly in the legislative process, including offering testimony on bills and sharing their stories.

Screen capture of a televised hearing featuring Erika Hernandez from Whitworth University speaking at a Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee hearing about SB 5828 College Scholarships Private. A sign language interpreter is visible in a small inset at the bottom left corner of the screen.

Three individuals sitting at a courtroom table with microphones, two men and one woman, with three other people in the background at computer stations.

A young man wearing a yellow sweatshirt speaks into a microphone at a public hearing, with a woman and a man in suits behind him, and a sign about college scholarships.

A group of people attending a meeting in a conference room with computers, including an elderly man and woman sitting at a table, listening attentively.

Two women standing together inside a government building, smiling for the camera. One woman has red hair and is wearing a black blazer over a patterned blouse, and the other woman has dark hair, glasses, and is wearing a white shirt with a black jacket.

A woman with dark hair tied back is speaking during a live online public hearing about college scholarships, with a sign language interpreter in the bottom left corner, and a banner at the bottom with details about the hearing and relevant website.

Independent Colleges of Washington brings the voice of member campuses and of their students to policy discussions. We are a trusted resource for policymakers and their staffs. Over the past year, ICW ensured that member campuses were represented in Olympia through meetings with legislators and higher education stakeholders throughout the 2025-26 interim and during the 2026 Legislative Session. During the “short session” in the second year of the 69th Legislative Session, ICW engaged 1:1 with 79 legislators.

Three men in suits standing outside in front of a government building with a large dome, a school bus, and a monument with a seal and inscription.

ICW champions the Washington State Legislative Internship Program, and makes it possible for campus presidents making trips to Olympia during the Legislative Session to visit with their current students who are participating in the program. Through the program, current college students to work for the offices of legislators, learn the legislative process through field trips and workshops, and build their networks. This year, students from every ICW member campus competed for a slot in this selective program.

A group of nine diverse individuals, dressed in business and casual attire, standing together inside a conference room with blue walls. Behind them is a large wall art depicting an underwater scene with fish and coral, two lamps, and an American flag in the background.

Four people sitting in a formal office, engaged in a discussion. The room has blue walls, framed pictures, a wooden cabinet with glass doors filled with books and awards, and a window with curtains. The furniture includes black leather chairs and a coffee table with various items.

Independent Colleges of Washington is one of 38 state associations in the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities State Executives (NAICUSE) network. ICW engages with NAICU and the American Council on Education, the Washington Congressional delegation, and the U.S. Department of Education on issues involving student aid to tax policy and regulation.

In partnership with the team at the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), an ICW-led delegation with members of Washington’s Congressional delegation, including U.S. Senator Patty Murray, and the longest-serving member of Washington’s Congressional delegation members U.S. Representative Adam Smith (WA-9), for discussions about Pell Grants, the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study, the economic and societal value of higher education to the health of the nation, and more.

Three female nurses in scrubs, with stethoscopes, assisting a patient who is being examined with a blood pressure cuff, inside a medical clinic or hospital room.

As Congress and the federal Administration considered consequential changes in federal student aid programs that will limit students’ ability to finance graduate education, Independent Colleges of Washington elevated the significant role of member campuses in providing graduate education in key fields. Member campuses award 17% of all master’s degrees and more than 20% of doctorate degrees earned in the state. Nearly six in 10 of graduate nursing degrees, four in 10 graduate degrees in occupational therapy, almost a third of physical therapy graduate degrees, and nearly three in 10 of graduate degrees in mental/social health services are conferred by ICW member campuses.

Five diverse individuals standing indoors, posing for a group photo next to a banner celebrating 50 years of NAICU, in front of a wooden wall and a floor lamp.

At the invitation of NAICU President Barbara Mistick, ICW President and CEO Terri Standish-Kuon welcomed the NAICU Board of Directors during its spring 2026 meeting in Seattle. Discussions focused on significant changes in federal higher education policy, from access to federal student aid to accreditation.

Strengthening Collaboration Across Campuses

ICW brings together campus leaders and partners across Washington to share high-impact practices and strengthen collaboration. Each year, we support dozens of communities of practice that connect academic, fiscal, and administrative professionals—fostering engagement through in-person convenings, virtual forums, and strategic partnerships

Recent Highlights

A young man giving a speech at a podium during a formal event with round tables filled with attendees in business attire, and flags of various countries displayed behind him, at Pacific Lutheran University.

A woman and a man sitting on chairs in a room with large windows, participating in a discussion or interview. They each hold a microphone, and there are three small tables with water bottles beside them. Behind them are banners for Seattle Pacific University, University of Puget Sound, Whitman College, and Independent College of Washington.

A group of people sitting at a table during a meeting or conference, with one man in focus wearing glasses and a suit, surrounded by women, all engaged in discussion.

ICW hosted meetings of its Board of Directors at Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Puget Sound in October 2025 and at Seattle University in April 2026. These are valuable opportunities to exchange ideas with valued partner organizations, including Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, the Washington Roundtable, and the Association of Washington Business as we work to support Washingtonians in accessing and completing a postsecondary education.

A woman is standing at a whiteboard writing, while a group of people seated around a conference table watch her and take notes. There is a large screen displaying a presentation on the wall.

ICW’s biennial Burlington Forum in 2026 brought together advancement leaders with campus communications leaders for some engaging discussions around a theme of “Trust Under Strain: Protecting Credibility in Turbulent Times.” Special guest, ICW Board member Joelle Skaga Nausin from Alaska Airlines, discussed Alaska’s recent rebranding with the acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, and the company’s community outreach events focused on STEM education.

Group of nine people, five women and four men, gathered indoors near a fireplace with a modern stone wall, large windows, and wooden ceiling design, smiling and posing for the photo.

Leaders in campus finance from ICW member campuses gathered virtually in December 2025 and in-person at Whitman College in May 2026. Discussions focused on campus budget reductions, 2025-26 legislative session updates, taxes in Washington state and savings opportunities through group purchasing.

ICW hosts a regular “Lunch & Learn” series of professional development sessions for campus colleagues. This year’s topics included:

“AI Chatbots to Support Student Programming” with ICW Business Affiliate EdSights
“Ducks in a Row 2.0: Compliance in an Age of Scrutiny” with Andrea Barton Stolpe, a partner in Miller Nash’s Education & Employment Group
“Getting Ready for Program-Level Scoring: HR 1 Accountability Metrics” with Justin Monk, Director of Student and Institutional Aid Policy at NAICU
“Sustained Conversations, Actionable Ideas: Lessons Learned in Strengthening Transfer Pathways to the Liberal Arts” and “The Relentless Welcome and More: Faculty Influence on Transfer Student Success” with Janet Marling, supported by ICW’s Strengthening Transfer Pathways initiative for campus faculty and staff with interest in supporting students in transfer.

A group of professionals seated around a round table engaged in discussion at a conference or workshop.

A conference room filled with people attending a session, with a large screen displaying the event's title and logos, and a presenter speaking at the front.

A large group of diverse people standing outdoors on grass in front of a large tree with green leaves, with mountains and blue sky in the background.

A woman speaking at a presentation during the PNW Higher Education Leadership Academy, June 16-17, 2026, at the University of Portland, Portland, Oregon. The presentation slide displays logos for Independent Colleges of Washington, Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities, and the event details.

In June 2026, ICW joined with the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities to offer a two-day “PNW Leadership Academy” for campus colleagues who are preparing to move into roles with greater responsibility.

Supporting Students Through Strategic Partnerships

Each year, ICW raises hundreds of thousands of dollars to directly support student scholarships. Building on last year’s most successful fundraising year since at least 2008, ICW in August 2025 distributed to member campuses nearly $1.3 million, including funding for named and competitive student scholarship funding plus in-kind contributions of equipment, flight vouchers and discounted hotel stays.

Recent Highlights

A large group of diverse people gathered in a conference room, some seated at tables and others standing, engaged in a meeting or workshop.

Presentation screen shows event titled 'Strengthening Transfer Pathways 2025 Summit' at Cedarbrook Lodge in Seattle with a speaker smiling, holding a microphone, and an audience seated at tables.

Launched in 2019, with funding from the Teagle Foundation and Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, ICW’s Strengthening Transfer Pathways to the Liberal Arts Initiative focused on smoothing the path to liberal arts disciplines at private, not-for-profit four-year colleges in Washington for students who wish to enroll from two-year campuses in the state. At the project’s capstone in-person Summit in Fall 2025, faculty, staff, and administrators from ICW member campuses and Washington Community and Technical Colleges gathered at the Cedarbrook Lodge to share successes and strengthen their mutual commitment to sustaining the progress we have made.

Laptop on desk displaying a guidebook webpage titled "Use Your Voice to Shape the Future," with a pen holder containing two pens, a closed notebook, and a spiral notebook nearby.

Organized in 2017 as an extension of College Promise Coalition and supported by the Gates Foundation, Washington Student Engagement Networks (WA-SEN) created opportunities for students from independent colleges and universities, community and technical colleges, and public baccalaureate institutions to share their stories and perspectives to educate policymakers. Administered by ICW, WA-SEN emphasized the importance of student financial aid programs in ensuring that the state of Washington achieves its goal of 70% postsecondary attainment. As the WA-SEN initiative wrapped up, lessons learned were captured in valuable resources, including a how-to guide with videos and other tools and resources to teach advocacy skills.

A table set up for an informational event about college options, with brochures, flyers, and a sign promoting the Independent Colleges of Washington and a scholarship opportunity. A large screen in the background displays details of a February 18, 2026 college fair hosted by the Independent Colleges of Washington, featuring several college logos.

More than 280 students applied for scholarship support through Independent Colleges of Washington in 2026. In all, with support from endowed funds and the generosity of current donors, ICW offered 21 awards through seven scholarship programs. We gratefully acknowledge the work of five committees of volunteers made up of the ICW Board and community partners for their work in selecting this year’s scholarship recipients!

A woman with dark, curly hair and bangs smiling at the camera, wearing a red jacket over a black and white checkered top against a plain white background.

“Thank you for making it possible for students like me to pursue higher education. This scholarship pushes me to grow, create, and invest in myself.”

— Lizzett Z., Class of 2027