HECB News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 22, 2009

Leaders to offer feedback on future development of higher education system

     OLYMPIA – Leaders representing a wide spectrum of interests in business, government and higher education have agreed to advise the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and institutions that are working on a plan to meet the state’s higher education needs in the years to come.  

     The nine-member System Design Plan Steering Committee will review and provide feedback to the System Design Plan Study Group, a team now looking at ways to utilize the state’s higher education resources to accomplish Washington’s higher education goals. The study group is composed of HECB members, representatives of the state’s four-year public and private institutions, and the public community and technical colleges.

     The System Design Plan effort was initially proposed by the HECB and subsequently commissioned by the 2009 Legislature. The System Design Plan is due to the Legislature in December and is expected to be the most comprehensive review of Washington’s higher education delivery system in the past 30 years.

     “As members of the Steering Committee, you will provide a statewide, non-institutional perspective as you augment and guide the work of the study group,” HECB Chair Jesus Hernandez and Executive Director Ann Daley told steering committee members in a letter confirming their participation.

     “Your contribution is vitally important as we develop a new framework for progress in Washington’s higher education system,” the letter said.

     Among the issues the System Design Plan will address are current regional and institutional demands for additional campuses, new degree programs, and expanded missions, such as the community college baccalaureate degrees.

     The report will propose roles for institutions and educational sectors that deliver higher education services; develop policies and procedures to plan and authorize growth and change; and recommend how growth and change should occur while making maximum use of existing resources.

Members of the steering committee are:

• Frank Armijo, Program Director and General Manager, Advanced Technology Solutions Information Systems and Global Services - Civil, Lockheed Martin.

• Bonnie Dunbar, President and CEO, Museum of Flight.

• Scott Carson, Executive Vice President - Boeing Co.; CEO - Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

• Paul Isaki, Director, Economic, Business & Trade Development, Port of Seattle.

• Sally Jewel, President and CEO, REI.

• Jack McRae, Senior Vice President of Congressional/Legislative Affairs, Premera Blue Cross; Chair, Association of Washington Business.

• Neil McReynolds, President, McReynolds Associates, Inc. Member, Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees.

• Charles Mitchell, Interim Executive Director,  Office of Advancement, Seattle Community Colleges

• Bradford Smith, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Microsoft.

     The steering committee will be chaired by HECB Chair Jesus Hernandez. Vice chair will be HECB member Bill Grinstein.   

     For additional information on the System Design Plan effort visit: System Design Plan.

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For more information: Gary Larson

(360) 753-7817 or garyl@hecb.wa.gov