Community Relations
Rooted in Community and Economic Development
Community Relations serves as the liaison between the community and the university by fostering positive relationships with local governments, surrounding neighborhoods, civic and community-based organizations, and the local business community. With 16,000 students and hundreds of faculty experts, Western is a valuable community resource and has many programs that support our communities. We are eager to partner with the public and private sector seeking to improve the quality of life of our citizens while promoting economic and community development.
Western Washington University Can Help You
Business
Grow your business
Western works with hundreds of businesses statewide seeking anything from small business growth assistance to data analysis, research and development.
Community
Address community challenges
From nonprofits and local government to cities and tribal communities, Western proudly collaborates with hundreds of organizations to help tackle their greatest challenges. With 16,000 students and a drive to serve the greater good, Western seeks meaningful partnerships that help communities thrive.
Research
Access Scholarly Research and Faculty Experts
Western’s faculty are exceptional researchers and teachers. As a nationally ranked comprehensive university, Western knows research with respected faculty scholars who lead programs unique to the region.
Learn
Continue learning
Western offers professional education, youth programs, and weekly lectures open to everyone.
Small Business Development Center
Free business consulting and secondary market research in Whatcom County.
Center for Economic and Business Research
Economic and impact analysis, opinion research, and other business support.
Other Business Partners
Advanced Materials Science & Engineering Center
Helping companies respond to technical challenges in materials analysis, research and development
Internships through Career Services
Connect companies and organizations with talented students and alumni
Put Western's students to work for you!
Let us connect you with Western's students and alumni to serve your needs, including full and part-time work, projects, internships, temporary or volunteer work.
Sustainable Communities Partnership
Connects sustainability needs in Washington communities with faculty expertise and student innovation through custom designed courses.
Karen W. Morse Institute for Leadership
Incorporating community projects into Western’s leadership curriculum.
Other Collaborative Community Partners
Community Engagement Fellows
Empowering diverse educators and community leaders to nurture engaged citizens, serve the public and improve our bioregion and the planet.
Center for Community Learning
Collaborating with community nonprofit organizations to improve the world through active learning, engaged teaching and meaningful partnerships.
Compass 2 Campus
Mentoring initiative for 5th-12th grade students designed to increase opportunities toward higher education.
Ershig Assistive Technology Resource Center
Hands on lending library and demonstration center on WWU’s campus geared to increase awareness and use of assistive technologies for a wide range of individuals with diverse needs.
Western Sustainability
Incorporating sustainability into many areas of WWU through many diverse programs that partner with the broader community.
Palliative Care Institute
Partnering with many agencies and volunteers to transform palliative care in Whatcom County.
Institute for Energy Studies
Addressing the science, technology, policy, business and economic aspects of energy systems.
Access Scholarly Research and Faculty Experts
As a nationally ranked comprehensive university, Western knows research! Our nationally respected faculty scholars are exceptional researchers and teachers who lead programs unique to the region.
Border Policy Research Institute
The nation’s leader in researching Canadian/U.S. trade and transportation, border security, and economic relationships.
Shannon Point Marine Center
Provides experiential learning integrated with innovative marine research for scientists and learners worldwide.
Sea Discovery Center
Inspiring a deeper sense of understanding and stewardship of the marine environment through our aquarium, interactive educational programs and meaningful volunteer opportunities.
Other Research Partners
Western Libraries
A vibrant organization comprised of 15 faculty and 44 staff in three buildings with a collection of 1.5 million volumes that is available to the public.
Salish Sea Institute
A leader in fostering responsible stewardship of the Salish Sea by promoting dialogue and partnerships throughout First Nations Communities, Washington State and British Columbia.
Washington State Archives
Access to legal and historical evidence of policy development, implementation and effect from government records from Northwest Washington.
Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
Foster a greater understanding of the region’s past and present through archival collections, which document significant developments in the region.
Institute for Watershed Studies
Supports research on freshwater lakes, streams and wetlands.
Ray Wolpow Institute for the Study of the Holocaust and other Crimes Against Humanity
Advances knowledge and research about the Holocaust and genocide.
Office of Global Engagement
Engages the WWU and broader community in thinking and acting globally.
Institute for Energy Studies
Addressing the science, technology, policy, business and economic aspects of energy systems.
WWU Experts
Western is home to many academic scholars and researchers who are available for speaking engagements, media interviews, and research partnerships.
Continue Learning
Western offers a variety of learning opportunities for people of all ages from professional education needed to advance your career, youth programs that fuel intellectual and creative passions, and free lectures that bring respected speakers from around the world.
College of business and Economics Strategic Speaker Series
Senior business leaders from around the U.S. share their perspectives on strategic management and leadership.
Environmental Speaker Series
Speakers address topics of environmental concern locally and globally.
Fairhaven World Issues Forum
Speakers discuss timely issues such as immigration policy, indigenous sovereignty, human rights violations and global documentary practices.
Online Courses
Online classes available to anyone anytime and anywhere.
Capital Expenditures
$139.5 Million
Family-wage, construction jobs, and contracts with local businesses
Student Expenditures
$185.5 Million
Retail, restaurants and housing
Tourism
$13.1 Million
Hotels, attractions, restaurants and retail
Payroll
$309.3 Million
WWU employs people in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Kitsap and Clallam Counties
Small Business Development Center
$15.3 Million
WWU SBDCs are located in Whatcom and Kitsap Counties
Recent Graduates
$308.9 Million
WWU's most recent graduates provide an immediate direct impact to the economy