The Alliance’s mission is to advocate for and nimbly serve their member institutions – regionally accredited, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in Oregon – by responding promptly and flexibly to their evolving needs, fostering collaboration and increasing organizational capacity, and championing the transformative power of independent, nonprofit higher education.
The Alliance: Partners for the public good.
The Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities (The Alliance) will be essential to its member private, nonprofit colleges and universities seeking to achieve more together and The Alliance will be a sought after contributor to conversations on post-secondary higher education’s role in Oregon’s future.
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:
Greater Portland Inc., Board of Directors
NAICU State Executives, Executive Committee
Semiconductor Talent Consortium, Member
Dupont Circle Investments, Treasurer
Greater Portland Inc., Board of Directors
NAICU State Executives, Executive Committee
Semiconductor Talent Consortium, Member
Dupont Circle Investments, Treasurer
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 – Mark Blegen
Pacific University – Jennifer Coyle (treasurer)
Reed College – Audrey Bilger
University of Portland – Robert Kelly (chair)
Warner Pacific University – Doug Wade (interim President)
Western Seminary – Chuck Conniry
Willamette University – Stephen Thorsett