The WCET Story
Our Past
WCET was founded by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) in 1989 as the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications. WCET’s early goals were to meet a growing need to integrate distance learning and education technology into the academic services of higher education institutions across 15 Western states. These institutions chose to join forces to evaluate and share best practices, knowing the challenges and solutions were bigger than any one institution or state.
Our Present
Hae Okimoto, Muriel Oaks, Rhonda Epper, and Myk Garn recognized for service to WCET.
Since then, WCET has evolved beyond its Western focus. Our membership spans the nation, representing nearly every state and several countries. Today, we are changing our name to the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies to reflect the national scope of our membership, and to realign with our parent organization.
This move helps us leverage the policy work being led by WICHE in student success, accountability, and adult education. WICHE tracks important trends in higher education financing, enrollment, costs of education, and other areas relevant to learners, educators, and policy makers alike.
Our Path Forward
Our diverse members are working together to evaluate and advance the most effective uses of technology in higher education. We are passionate about leveraging and accelerating the power of technology to enhance student learning and expand access to higher education. This shared passion inspires our members to discover and disseminate the most engaging and effective learning experiences.
WCET helps members make informed decisions, optimize limited resources, and get measurable results, no matter where they are in the evolving technology continuum.
Together, we serve as a leading voice in matters of policy that shape the future of technology’s role in higher education.
- Learn more about what WCET is doing to advance excellence in education.
- Explore how we help you advance your career when you join WCET.
- Questions? Contact our staff.
