Russ Poulin, executive director of WCET and vice president of technology-enhanced education for the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), has announced his retirement at the end of this year. WICHE President Demarée Michelau confirmed that both WCET and the WICHE Commission were informed earlier this week.
"Russ has been a trusted colleague, friend, and tireless advocate for innovations in instruction and student support for 30 years," Michelau stated. "The impact that his leadership and knowledge have had in this space cannot be understated."
For the past five years, Poulin has led WCET through the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure, WCET’s main membership and the State Authorization Network experienced significant growth. Additionally, Every Learner Everywhere emerged as a leader in digital learning for equitable outcomes in higher education.
Poulin's contributions extend beyond WCET and WICHE. He has served on federal negotiated rulemaking panels, contributed to interstate reciprocity efforts, frequently spoken publicly on related topics, and received recognition from various organizations. Before 2019, he was WCET’s senior director of policy, analysis, and strategic alliances. Earlier in his career, he led distance education collaboration for the North Dakota University System.
"As I prepare to step away from my roles at WCET and WICHE," Poulin said, "I am grateful for a career that has been both fulfilling and challenging." He expressed appreciation for witnessing instructional innovations and student support initiatives from colleges and universities over the years.
Poulin's last day will be December 31; a candidate search is expected to begin on August 26.
"We wish Russ a happy and healthy next phase of his life," Michelau added. "We hope that he enjoys a retirement full of movie nights with his wife Laurie and their cat Luna."