Civic Cocktail - Improving Accessibility in Higher Education in Washington State

Washington State ranks 46th in the nation for high school graduates who are enrolling in higher education, and we must ask ourselves why. What are the consequences of decreased enrollment in higher education? What can be done to address it? We will address these and other questions about educational equity in this Civic Cocktail with speakers in foundations, non-profits and higher education institutions working to reverse this trend.

Panelists - Segment 1
• Angela Jones, Director, Washington State Initiative, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• James Dorsey, President and CEO, College Success Foundation
• Brian Jeffries, Policy Director, Washington Roundtable

Panelists - Segment 2
• Sheila Edwards Lange, Chancellor, UW Tacoma
• Lynne Varner, Associate Vice Chancellor, WSU Everett
•Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap, Interim Chancellor, Seattle Colleges

Moderator
• Dahlia Bazzaz K-12 Reporter, Seattle Times

About Civic Cocktail
Civic Cocktail connects elected and community leaders with the public for lively conversations about important issues facing our region. Whether you’re new to the Pacific Northwest, a self-described “civic nerd,” or looking to meet people engaged in their communities, your evening at this beloved program is sure to be friendly, fun, and fascinating. Civic Cocktail’s welcoming and conversational tone is inspired by our Dialogue Across Differences initiative. We hope you can join in person, where the conversation happens over tasty bites and festive libations.