About ICW

Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW) is an association of 10 private, nonprofit colleges in the state. ICW's member institutions share a commitment to high-quality, academically rigorous learning, and to an education that emphasizes critical thinking, lifelong learning, ethics, leadership, and community service.

Mission
Collaboration and associations
Staff
Contact: general, member college PR departments
Directions

Independent Colleges of Washington's mission is to expand opportunity and choice for students by promoting the value and vitality of high-quality, academically rigorous independent higher education, and by broadening access through enhanced student aid.

The mission is accomplished by:

Advocating public policy that supports students and recognizes independent colleges as vital partners in the state;
Raising funds primarily for student financial aid at member colleges;
Increasing the visibility of ICW and the independent higher education sector;
Coordinating collaborative activities that benefit students and member institutions.

Member colleges are:

High-quality, providing academically rigorous higher education with small classes taught by faculty;
Successful, conferring a quarter of the state's baccalaureate and higher degrees, with most students (75 percent) graduating in four years;
Diverse in programs and missions, student body demographics, and geographical choices;
Community contributors as students and graduates become dedicated leaders, participate actively in public service, benefit society with solid foundations in reasoning, ethical and social skills, and make their communities better places;
Economic contributors that save taxpayers money and are employment forces in their communities.

Independent Colleges of Washington collaborates with:

Washington/Northwest memberships
JAOG - Joint Access and Oversight Group
NICBOA - Northwest Independent College Business Officers Association
PNACAC – Pacific Northwest Association of College Admissions Counselors
PROW - Private Registrars of Washington
SCAN – Seattle College Access Network
WACTE – Washington Association of Colleges of Teacher Education
WCAN – Washington College Access Network
WCHSCR – Washington Council of High School-College Relations
WSC – Washington Scholarship Coalition
WFAA – Washington Financial Aid Association
WHEFA – Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority

Washington/Northwest collaboration
COP – Council of Presidents
HECB – Higher Education Coordinating Board
SBCTC – State Board of Community and Technical Colleges
WICHE – Washington Interstate Commission on Higher Education

National memberships and collaboration
ACT Council
CIC – Council of Independent Colleges
FIHE – Foundation of Independent Higher Education
NAICU – National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
NAICUSE - National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities State Executives
SNIN – State-National Information Network

Staff

	Violet A. Boyer - President & CEO Boyer has served as the President and CEO of ICW since September 1998. Prior to her appointment, she served six years as assistant vice president for congressional and state relations with the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). Boyer joined NAICU after working for five years in the U.S. Senate, most recently as the legislative director for Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.). She began her career as a third grade teacher and has also worked in higher education administration at two independent colleges in Minnesota. Boyer received her bachelor's degree from Dakota Wesleyan University, and earned a master's degree from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
	Patty Daniels - Office Manager Daniels has worked with ICW since 1978. She joined the association as a Seattle University work-study student. Her responsibilities include operating finances of the organization. Daniels received her bachelor's degree from Seattle University.
	Chadd Bennett -Director of Research and Publications Bennett joined ICW in July 2009. Prior to working with ICW, he managed college preparation and international programs for Kaplan, developed member programs at the Washington Athletic Club, and was a tour guide for Rick Steves. Chadd received his bachelors degree in Religious Studies from Macalester College (MN).
	Anne Cassidy - Director of Development Cassidy has worked in the fundraising arena for over 20 years at various institutions, including the University of Kentucky and at various non-profit organizations in and around the Puget Sound area. Her most recent position was Executive Director of the Edmonds Community College Foundation in Lynnwood where she developed her interest in and passion for higher education. Anne received her bachelors degree from Oregon State University and her masters from Portland State University.
	Greg Scheiderer - Vice President Scheiderer joined the ICW staff in July 2004. A broadcast journalist for ten years, Scheiderer was the news and information manager at the University of Puget Sound for four years, and a public information officer with the Washington State Senate for a decade. He earned a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Washington.
	Connie Ticeson - Assistant to the President / Director of Administration Ticeson re-joined ICW in March 2007. She has had extensive administrative experience in non-profit and profit corporations. Ticeson has supported executives and has provided meeting and planning support services for boards of trustees. Her work experience includes: Shearson Lehman, The Boeing Company, Marsh, Fred Hutchinson, Childhaven, and WaMu.

Contact

Independent Colleges of Washington
600 Stewart Street, Suite 600
Seattle, Washington 98101
Telephone: 206-623-4494
Fax: 206-625-9621
Email: info@ICWashington.org

For information about individual member institutions, please contact the media relations and PR representatives listed in this directory.

Directions to our office

ICW is in the Plaza 600 Building at 6th Avenue and Stewart Street, just East of the Westin Hotel in Downtown Seattle. Google Maps

From I-5 southbound take the Stewart Street exit (#166) and follow Stewart to 6th Avenue. Turn right on 6th Avenue. The Plaza 600 Building is on the right side of the street.

From I-5 northbound take the Seneca Street Exit (#165), to the left. Turn right on 6th Avenue (first light you come to). Follow 6th Avenue six blocks to Stewart. The Plaza 600 Building is at the corner of 6th Avenue and Stewart on the right.

From 520 take the I-5 southbound exit towards Portland. Quickly get in the far right lane. Take the Stewart Street exit (#166) and follow Stewart to 6th Avenue. Turn right on 6th Avenue. The Plaza 600 Building is on the right side of the street.

From I-90 take the I-5 Northbound exit (2-C) towards Vancouver, BC. (You don't actually get onto I-5.) When the road splits, keep right toward Madison Street. Turn left onto Madison, then right on 6th Avenue. Follow 6th Avenue eight blocks to Stewart. The Plaza 600 Building is at the corner of 6th Avenue and Stewart on the right.

Parking
Short-term parking is available in Pacific Place, two blocks south of the Plaza Building at 7th and Olive. Entrances are on 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue. Our building also has parking, access the garage off Westlake St. near the alley. Several other parking lots are available in the vicinity.

Transit
Many downtown bus routes serve our neighborhood. You can check Metro's downtown route map or use its on-line trip planner to find the best route for you.We're also just a few blocks from the downtown terminal of the Seattle Center Monorail, and are next to the downtown terminal of the Seattle Streetcar.