press release
An interim meeting of the Washington State House of Representatives Higher Education Committee will be held on the campus of South Seattle Community College Monday, May 21, from 1 - 4:30 pm. The 17-member committee, chaired by Representative Larry Seaquist, will conduct a work session focused on transitions to higher education, and higher education/industry partnerships. Panelists include Seattle Community Colleges Chancellor Jill Wakefield and South President Gary Oertli.

A draft agenda is below. The meeting is open to the public.

The Higher Education Committee meeting continues a month-long series of campus visits by candidates and incumbents. Speaking at South during Civics Week May 7-11 were Washington Secretary of State candidates Greg Nickels and Kathleen Drew; and Dr. Bobby Virk, candidate for 11th District House of Representatives. U.S. Senator Patty Murray led a student rally on campus May 11 to draw attention to the potential federal student loan interest rate increase.

Finally, on May 30, from 12 - 12:45 pm in the Olympic Hall Auditorium, the United Student Association will host Washington State Representative Frank Chopp, current Speaker of the House, who will address higher education issues. A video about America’s voting history and the importance of voter registration will also be screened.

WORK SESSION AGENDA:

1:00 – 1:10 Welcome and Opening Remarks:
• Representative Seaquist, Chair, Higher Education Committee
• Dr. Gary Oertli, President, South Seattle Community College

1:10 – 2:20 Transitions to Higher Education: Common Core Standards and Other Higher Education Preparation Initiatives and Issues
Panelists:
• Dr. Susan Enfield, Superintendent, Seattle Schools
• Dr. Eileen Ely, President, Green River Community College
• Dr. Gary Oertli, President, South Seattle Community College
• Kent Koth, Director, Seattle University Youth Initiative
• Barbara “b.g.” Nabors-Glass, Seattle Goodwill

2:20 – 3:20 Transitions within Higher Education: Articulation and Transfer Credit for Prior Learning
Panelists:
• Dr. Jane Sherman, Interim Executive Director, Washington State University and the Council of Presidents
• Dr. Jim West, Higher Education Coordinating Board
• Dr. Michelle Andreas, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
• Noreen Light, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

3:20 – 3:30 BREAK

3:30 – 4:30 Higher Education Partnerships with Industry

Technology Transfer Partnerships:
• Dr. Fred Holt, Center for Commercialization, University of Washington (“C4C”)
• Tom Schulte, University of Washington Entrepreneur-in-Residence and CEO of Nexgenia

Workforce Training Partnerships:
• Dr. Jill Wakefield, Chancellor, Seattle Colleges
• Joe Jahn, President and CEO, Vaupell

4:30 Adjourn.