Our Guiding Purpose: We are guided by the academic success of all students. Ultimately, the measures of our success are improvements in students’ persistence, achievement, and graduation rates—particularly students who are the first in their families to go to college and those from groups historically under‐served in higher education. 

Dear colleagues and friends,

I want to write something inspiring here. But honestly right now I'm finding it hard to access hope while processing the flood of information about dehumanizing actions instigated by our federal government—actions paid for with our own tax dollars. So, what I can muster is a simple list of what's helping me through the day.

Eating and sleeping. Remembering that taking care of my basic needs is a prerequisite to showing up for others.

Tidying. The simple act of bringing order to the small spaces where I still can.

Curry, Coconut, and Pepper: My dog and cats who only want cuddles, treats, and a spot in the bed.

Music. Shout out to the amazing DJs at KEXP and the solidarity songs written for Minneapolis: Billy Bragg's "City of Heroes," Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Minneapolis," Jesse Welles' "No Kings."

My colleagues. The staff I work with who are showing up every day with care and creativity, doing the work that holds our institutions together and helps students focus on their education.

Faculty. Watching educators maintain enthusiasm for learning and remain clear-eyed about their purpose to help students reach their goals.

My whistle. Being reminded of our rights and my renewed commitment to exercise them. The amazing work of the Undocumented Student Task Force on our campus and the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network—community power in action.

The remarkable resistance in Minneapolis. An example of people showing up and acting on their love for their community and ALL the people in it.

Washington state legislators doggedly working on enhancing legislation to protect immigrants and workers, limit surveillance, and fortify our voting rights.

Our unions. Their advocacy for our rights as workers and their solidarity with workers everywhere.

Pepper always finds a box when he "needs a moment."

I don't have answers, but maybe it helps to know you're not alone in this. If you're moved to, take a moment to write your own list of what's sustaining you. And if you want to share it, send it to me at metzkerj@evergreen.edu. I'd be honored to read it.

In solidarity,
JuliA Metzker, Director
Washington Center for Improving Undergraduate Education

The Washington Center is pleased to partner with the Washington Learning Communities Consortium (WLCC) to host the 2026 Integrative Learning Curriculum Planning Retreat at Rainbow Lodge in North Bend, Washington on April 23-24.

The Integrative Learning Curriculum Planning Retreat is designed to support faculty building integrative learning experiences for students. Sessions provide value for both those newer to integrative learning and those with many years of experience in linked or paired courses, clustered courses, first-year experience programs, living-learning communities, or coordinated studies programs.

Join us for this two-day retreat and enjoy:

Lodging at Rainbow Lodge is now fully booked, but we do have additional space at a local hotel and can assist you with a list of other local lodging options.

Comments from 2025 Participants:

I had a wonderful time getting to know my colleagues in a beautiful setting. It was a time for team building and growth in that respect. 

I would say my experience at this retreat was phenomenal even though I could only attend one day. The staff, participants, and session leaders were all welcoming and warm. 

It was relaxing and probably just what I needed at the end of an academic year in April. I understand why it was a "retreat" and not a seminar, workshop, or institute, and I appreciate that and the opportunity it provided now more. 

The work of the Washington Center is only possible through the vibrant community of higher education professionals who collaborate with and support our team in many ways. When we all work together, we can make a difference for student success. If you'd like to learn more about opportunities to contribute, we'd love to hear from you! 

The Washington Center Collaborative is a space for higher education faculty, scholars, practitioners, and administrators to come together and discuss emergent issues of importance to our collective work educating and supporting students. The Collaborative consists of free virtual workshops, a newsletter, and a slack space.

Wednesday, February 18

1-2:30 PM ET | 10-11:30 AM PT

Facilitated by Dr. Mukti Khanna | Ellen Shortt Sanchez | Marley Booker | Cloe Kortangian-Griffith | Skye Hurley | The Evergreen State College

Higher Education has a mandate to serve communities. The Evergreen State College uses Community Based Learning pedagogy to offer students meaningful learning that meets community needs. Reciprocal work with local organizations is also an important outcome of the model. Psychology Capstone faculty will present best practices in the discipline for integrating consciousness- based interdisciplinary education and fieldwork. Students will share their learning and experiences with integrating theory and practice with diverse community organizations. The Public Service Center Director will frame this work in the larger commitment to campus-community partnerships for social justice.  Participants will gain tools to bring to other educational settings.

Wednesday, March 18

1-2:30 PM ET | 10-11:30 AM PT

Presenters will include Directors from the Evergreen Prison Education Program, Sustainability in Prisons Project, and special guests | The Evergreen State College

The Evergreen Liberation Education Network is based at The Evergreen State College with a mission to expand access to an Evergreen education and to provide holistic support services for currently incarcerated and legally liberated people. This workshop will focus on two organizations in the network, the Evergreen Prison Education Program and the Sustainability in Prisons Project. Both organizations support the delivery of credit-bearing college education for incarcerated scholars. Presenters will provide a brief overview of their respective programs, select highlights, and learning and teaching models co-created with participants in carceral settings. The workshop will include group discussion on lessons learned, successes, and challenges that come with offering higher education in prison.

Monday, April 20

2 - 3:30 pm ET | 11 am - 12:30 pm PT

Facilitated by Kyle Pittman | The Evergreen State College

While 'artificial intelligence' (AI) has been around for some time in various forms, recent developments around generative AI have caused a surge of public interest in its capabilities and many industries and fields have been enticed to leverage the various AI tools to offset workload and increase productivity. Education in particular has been hit hard with the inception of generative AI tools that seem to hinder the learning process rather than support it. This workshop will explore the impacts of AI on learning and provide sensible ways to address and resist its use in the classroom.