Winter Quarter Update 2026

Dear Western community,

Recently, I have been in conversations with state legislators and other external constituents about college-going culture in our state and the value Western brings to Washington’s higher education ecosystem. Those conversations have been a useful reminder of two core principles that shape my message and guide my work at Western.

The first is a belief in the value of education. The goal of providing high-quality education is inherently long-term and extends far into the future, well beyond the periodic economic cycles and political shifts. Through education, our aim is to make a sustainable impact in communities across the state and beyond.

The second is a commitment to the education, research, and outreach mission of Western Washington University. The University’s access mission, along with the high-quality, experiential-based education delivered by our outstanding faculty, are hallmarks of the Western brand. Our collective commitment to access and excellence, as embodied in the three themes of the University’s strategic plan—advancing inclusive success, increasing Washington impact, and enhancing academic excellence—has been remarkable even during difficult times.

These commitments show up in concrete ways through the accomplishments of our students and through the dedication of our faculty and staff.  One recent example is last week ‘s news that Western has been named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution of U.S. Students for the 2025–2026 academic year for the third consecutive year, one of the most recent accolades for the university. This recognition reflects the achievements of our students and the faculty and staff who support their academic and global engagement. My sincere thanks to our faculty and staff for your hard work to advance Western’s mission and priorities.

At the same time, this does not diminish the challenges in front of us that we need to navigate to ensure that Western remains a high-performing institution, today and into the future.

State Advocacy and Funding

The supplemental legislative session has been a top priority for me. I have been spending time in Olympia meeting with state lawmakers to speak directly about the impact of proposed reductions to Western’s state funding. These conversations focused on the real consequences that budget cuts have for our students, faculty, and staff, as well as for the communities we serve. We will continue to engage actively in the legislative process and to clearly articulate the importance of sustained investment in Western and in public higher education.

Enrollment Initiative

I would also like to thank everyone for the work you have done so far this year to support the new enrollment initiative. Early indicators from our guaranteed admissions pilot for high school students in our region are promising, and we are continuing to expand clear and welcoming pathways to Western for students close to home. We are also strengthening partnerships with community colleges across the region. To date, we have signed guaranteed transfer agreements with 11 colleges, including Whatcom, Skagit, Bellevue and the Seattle Colleges, with several additional partnerships underway. Together, these efforts strengthen our access mission by creating clearer pathways for both transfer students and students coming directly from high school.

Community and Campus Engagement

I want to acknowledge the vigil and demonstration recently held on campus. Western has long understood itself as a public institution where members of our community can gather, express themselves, and engage with difficult issues. Peaceful assembly and expression are central to the mission of a public university, and I appreciate the care many showed for one another during this moment.  I also recognize that recent immigration enforcement activities have created uncertainty, anxiety, and fear among many students and employees, especially those whose sense of safety and belonging has been directly affected. Creating a safe university environment for students and employees remains an important priority for us, and we continue to spend considerable time making Western as safe a space as we can.

Looking ahead, we expect to break ground next month on the new Student Development and Success Center. This building will serve as a welcoming front door for Western and a hub for student services that support access, belonging, and success. We look forward to sharing more details as we prepare for construction to begin.

The values of access, excellence, and long-term impact continue to guide us as we move forward together. Thank you for your continued commitment to this university and to one another. I am grateful for the care, engagement, and resilience that define Western, especially during challenging times.

Sincerely,

Sabah