SPECIAL TO THE TIMES/NEWS

Governor Christine Gregoire will preside over the public dedication of the new Higher Education Center at Highline Community College in Des Moines on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 1:30 p.m.

The Higher Education Center is a partnership of Central Washington University (CWU) and Highline Community College (HCC).

The new facility houses both HCC classrooms and CWU offices and classrooms (CWU-Des Moines) on the campus of Highline Community College.

With the opening of the new facility, students will be able to earn a two-year associate's degree from Highline, then complete their bachelor's degree by taking upper-division courses from CWU on the Highline campus.

Students also may earn associate's degrees at other community colleges and transfer to CWU-Des Moines.

"This shared facility is a wise investment of state tax dollars because it provides an economical approach to improving access to higher education and responding to increasing public demand for higher education," said CWU president Jerilyn S. McIntyre.

"Partnerships like the one between Highline and CWU provide a flexible and cost-efficient way for students to earn a bachelor's or master's degree."

The Higher Education Center is well-suited to the needs of place-bound or time-bound students who have to fit college in between commitments to family and work.

"They can't leave their spouses, children and career to travel across the state or live in a dorm. These students need classes at the times and in the concentrations that best fit their busy lives," said Highline President Priscilla Bell.

"CWU-Des Moines at Highline allows students to tailor their schedules to their lives instead of the other way around."

The "2+2" programs at the Higher Education Center will address the education needs of employers and residents in South King County.

CWU-Des Moines offers programs leading to bachelor's degrees in accounting, business administration, general studies, law and justice, and elementary and early childhood education, as well as master's degree programs in education and engineering technology.

As resources allow, CWU and Highline will establish other programs to meet the needs students and businesses.