The Alliance is the voice of Oregon’s independent, non-profit higher education sector, actively supporting the success of our member colleges and universities, their students, and alumni.

The Alliance: Partners for the public good.

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’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

Brent Wilder

President

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

Brent Wilder

Meg Ridenour

Meg Ridenour

Director of Administration & Strategic Communications

A lifelong Oregonian and product of both public and private Oregon higher education institutions, Meg Ridenour joined The Alliance in July 2021. Keenly aware that higher education is, at its core, about the needs of students, Meg works in tandem with the President and Board of Trustees to anticipate student needs. Prior to returning to higher education administration, Meg worked in marketing and business development in the legal industry and in nonprofit fundraising.

Meg holds a master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration from Lewis & Clark’s Graduate School of Education and Counseling.

Meg Ridenour

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 (treasurer)
Lewis & Clark College – Robin Holmes-Sullivan
Linfield University – Rebecca “Becky” Johnson (interim President)
Multnomah University – Jessica Taylor
Pacific University – Jenny Coyle
Reed College – Audrey Bilger (secretary)
University of Portland – Robert Kelly (chair)
Warner Pacific University – Brian Johnson
Western Seminary – Chuck Conniry
Willamette University – Stephen Thorsett

Board of Trustee’s Portal Access

Contact Us

8215 SW Tualatin Sherwood Road, Suite 200

Tualatin, OR 97062

503.342.0004 | info@oaicu.org