CWU ranked among the best universities nationwide for providing higher education access

Earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the Raise the Bar initiative, aimed at broadening the availability of postsecondary degrees for historically underrepresented populations across the country.

This month, Central Washington University was selected for the initiative’s list of 100 predominantly bachelor’s-granting institutions eligible for the inaugural Postsecondary Success Recognition Program, a new annual award that incentivizes schools in a position to better serve these underrepresented communities.

Cardona explained that the program was designed to spotlight higher education institutions like CWU that are doing the work required to close equity gaps nationwide.

“Some of the most important innovations in higher education today are being driven by institutions that get little glory but that are narrowing gaps in access to college opportunity and accelerating their graduates' economic mobility,” he said. “I can think of no work more worthy of prestige than putting higher education within the reach of more Americans, and helping our students attain degrees that change their lives — just as mine did for me.”

CWU’s ongoing, intentional efforts to provide equal access to postsecondary education for all learners are ingrained in our Vision and Mission statements, which call for us to become a “model learning community of equity and belonging.” Through a multi-pronged approach, including intensive outreach work, innovative financial aid solutions, and a variety of continuing education programs like Running Start and College in the High School, CWU is building the bridges necessary to deliver higher education access to the communities we serve.

CWU President Jim Wohlpart believes the university’s selection out of a pool of 6,751 U.S. institutions signals that our work has put us on a path to achieving the lofty goals we have set for ourselves.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Secretary of Education for our efforts in making CWU a place where anyone can create their future,” he said. “As our state’s population becomes more diverse every year, we have a responsibility to do everything we can to help more people build better lives for themselves and their families. Being recognized at the national level for the work we are doing only helps validate our belief that CWU truly is making a difference.”

The Post-Secondary Success Recognition Program’s methodology for selecting CWU can be found online, along with the full list of recognized universities.