Malerie Barnes, Ph.D., has been appointed as the new director of Student Access Programs at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), following a national search. She replaces Margo Colalancia, who retired on September 30 after 31 years with the organization. Barnes began her role on October 24.
Raymonda Burgman Gallegos, Ph.D., vice president of Programs and Services at WICHE, commented on the appointment: “Student Access Programs has been a cornerstone of WICHE’s mission since 1953 by opening doors for students and easing financial barriers to high-quality higher education across the West. Dr. Barnes brings extensive experience in student engagement and program leadership. Her passion for expanding opportunity and her collaborative leadership style will be instrumental in strengthening and expanding the impact of these programs for the next generation of students and their families.”
As director, Barnes will oversee three tuition savings initiatives: the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), and the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP). These programs help reduce tuition costs for students at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels throughout western states.
In the academic year 2024-25, these programs collectively saved students in western states $671 million in tuition. Of this total, $616 million was saved through WUE, $40 million through WRGP, and $15 million through PSEP.
Barnes comes to WICHE with over 14 years of experience in public higher education. Most recently, she served as assistant dean at the University of Colorado Boulder’s School of Education. In that position, she worked to strengthen teacher preparation pipelines both within Colorado and nationally. Her responsibilities included overseeing admissions and recruitment processes, managing scholarship programs aimed at broadening access to education, and developing partnerships with schools and community organizations to address teacher shortages. She also has experience designing merit-based scholarship initiatives for underrepresented students and leading teams focused on supporting high-achieving students.
Barnes holds a doctorate in higher education policy from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research examined how public colleges can use financial aid to serve students while maintaining their public missions.
“I am thrilled to be joining WICHE and for the opportunity to work alongside the Commission and staff to expand access to affordable, high-quality postsecondary education across the West,” said Barnes. “At a time when the value of a college degree is both deeply needed and increasingly questioned, WICHE’s tuition savings programs play a vital role in helping students realize their educational goals. I’m eager to build on this legacy and explore ways to ensure that higher education remains both accessible and relevant for the next generation.”
Through WUE and WRGP, residents from 15 western states as well as American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam can apply for reduced tuition rates at participating public institutions. These colleges cap tuition for eligible out-of-state students at no more than 150% of in-state rates depending on program or major. The PSEP program allows ten western states plus two Pacific Island territories to invest in growing their healthcare workforce by reducing educational costs; PSEP participants can save between $36,500 and $142,800 over their degree program depending on field of study.
Barnes’s selection underscores WICHE’s commitment to advancing educational access through regional collaboration.