CSUN President Harrison Assumes Helm of Higher Ed Commission

Color image of Dianne Harrison

CSUN President Dianne F.  Harrison

California State University, Northridge President Dianne F. Harrison has assumed the chairmanship of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE).

Harrison, who was appointed to the commission by California Gov. Jerry Brown and served as the organization’s vice chair last year, was named chair at WICHE’s meeting last month. She is expected to serve a one-year term leading the nonprofit, which facilitates collaboration between state governments, undergraduate and graduate student interstate exchange agreements and provides data and policy analysis for educators, policymakers and governors in 15 Western states and the U.S. Pacific territories.

“It’s an honor to serve as WICHE chair representing California,” Harrison said. “CSUN has a long tradition of collaboration with public and private organizations. WICHE’s mission of promoting innovation, cooperation and developing sound public policy underscores the vital role higher education plays in the western United States. Regional collaboration, sharing of best practices and offering tuition discounts for student exchange programs represents huge benefits for students, families and state governments throughout the WICHE region.”

Harrison noted that the savings to families and/or students through participation in WICHE’s Western Undergraduate Exchange program has grown substantially in the last several years.

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and its 16 members work collaboratively to expand educational access and excellence. By promoting innovation, cooperation, resource sharing and sound public policy among states and institutions, WICHE strengthens higher education’s contributions to the region’s social, economic and civic life. WICHE’s 16 members include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the U.S. Pacific territories and freely associated states (the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is the first of the group to participate).