The mission of Oregon Alliance of Independent College and Universities is to represent and serve its member institutions, all of which are regionally accredited, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in Oregon.
The Alliance: Partners for the public good.
The Alliance’s activities foster collaboration and find the intersection between the needs and expertise of member institutions, industry leaders, and government. In doing so, the Alliance is a contributing partner to Oregon’s 40-40-20 education attainment goal, strengthening the state’s intellectual, creative, and economic resources.
The Alliance advocates with purpose.
Public
Awareness
Actively raise public awareness of the value of private, nonprofit higher education, demonstrating outcomes and return on investment, and represent and advocate for private nonprofit institutions in matters related to public interest and public policy
Affordability
& Access
Expand affordability and access to Oregon’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities and help build student pathways from college to jobs and careers
Strategic
Partnerships
Support and expand strategic partnerships with businesses, foundations, and public sector agencies and institutions
Institutional
Collaboration
Provide and create structures to encourage inter-institutional collaboration
Coordinated
Services
Coordinate services to member institutions that achieve economies of scale and enhance program effectiveness
Alliance Staff
Brent Wilder has a lifetime of connections to higher education in Oregon. He has served in a leadership capacity with The Alliance since the organization’s inception, serving as Vice President since January 2012, serving as Interim President since October 2019, and President since June 2020. Prior to The Alliance, Wilder was with the Oregon Independent College Foundation (OICF), most recently as Interim President and Vice President. Before his arrival at the OICF, Wilder served in several leadership roles in intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA Division I level, including as an Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Oregon State University. Brent holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree from Oregon State University. He also serves on several higher education boards and committees:
Dupont Circle Investments, Deputy Secretary/Treasurer
NAICU, Committee on Tax Policy
NAICU State Executives, Executive Committee
Oregon Treasury Savings Network
Oregon Innovation Council
The Coalition for College Cost Savings
Dupont Circle Investments, Deputy Secretary/Treasurer
NAICU, Committee on Tax Policy
NAICU State Executives, Executive Committee
Oregon Treasury Savings Network
Oregon Innovation Council
The Coalition for College Cost Savings
Brent Wilder
Board of Trustees
The Alliance Board is comprised of the presidents of the member institutions. The Board provides strategic guidance to The Alliance in its ongoing activities in advocacy, building meaningful relationships with industry partners, and providing support to member campuses.
COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS
Bushnell University – Joseph Womack (vice chair)
Corban University – John Mark Yeats
George Fox University – Robin Baker
Lewis & Clark College – Robin Holmes-Sullivan (secretary)
Linfield University – Rebecca “Becky” Johnson (interim President)
Pacific University – Jenny Coyle (treasurer)
Reed College – Audrey Bilger
University of Portland – Robert Kelly (chair)
Warner Pacific University – Brian Johnson
Western Seminary – Chuck Conniry
Willamette University – Stephen Thorsett