WVC president serves in state and national associations

Media Contacts: Jim Richardson, president, 509.682.6400, or Libby Siebens, executive director community relations, 509.682.6436 (Mon. – Thurs.)

October 8, 2015

Wenatchee Valley College President Dr. Jim Richardson has taken on new roles at the state and national level. Richardson is now a college readiness commissioner for the American Association of Community Colleges, and he is president of the Washington Association of Community and Technical College's (WACTC) Board of Presidents.

Richardson's roles are timely as the Department of Education is focusing on community colleges to offer open-access, affordable higher education opportunities and to train a competitive workforce. There is a big push to reduce college costs, increase retention and to serve low-income, first-generation and minority students. "I am proud to be able to advocate for community colleges at this level," Richardson said. "WVC has begun doing much of this work already. Now we can help shape the future of community colleges in order to meet student needs."

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is the primary advocacy organization for the nation's community colleges. The AACC represents almost 1,200 two-year, associate degree-granting institutions and more than 13 million students. College readiness commissioners provide advice on college preparedness issues, proposals and initiatives to the AACC board and staff; encourage collaboration among community colleges, K-12 districts and other local, state and federal organizations; and they provide a forum for focused conversation about the importance of college readiness for all students.

The WACTC is the organization of community and technical college presidents, which includes 37 chancellors and presidents from 34 community and technical colleges in Washington state. The board develops policy recommendations to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and to the system. Richardson will serve as president for the WACTC Board of Presidents for 2015-16.