Washington State University and LaunchNW, a college-access initiative created by the nonprofit Innovia Foundation, have launched a new partnership aimed at helping more students successfully navigate the path to college and graduate from WSU.
As part of the partnership, LaunchNW has placed a dedicated college navigator within WSU’s Office of Academic Engagement (OAE) to help students access financial aid, scholarships, academic support, and other campus resources from high school through graduation. The effort is designed to better connect students, particularly those from rural, low-income, and first-generation backgrounds, with support systems that can help them succeed in college.
WSU and LaunchNW leaders said the partnership, formally launched this spring, builds on student support systems already in place at WSU while helping students connect with those resources earlier and more consistently.
“We consistently heard from students that WSU was their first-choice institution, and that demand played a major role in shaping this partnership,” said Ben Small, executive director of LaunchNW. “WSU already had strong student support systems in place, and by partnering directly with the university, we can help students navigate those resources earlier and more effectively — from high school through college completion.”
The partnership’s dedicated college navigator works directly with prospective students, offering comprehensive guidance on college access, transition, and persistence. Once students arrive at WSU, the navigator helps connect them with academic, financial, and personal support resources already in place across the university.
Housed within OAE, LaunchNW College Navigator Nicole Jewell, a WSU alum and trained college coach, is well positioned to help students navigate and take advantage of WSU’s existing support programs and resources.
“OAE manages a large slate of programs designed to support students — particularly those from low-income, first-generation, or non-traditional backgrounds — not only in making it to WSU, but in persisting to graduation,” said Michael Highfill, executive director of OAE. “Our team offers resources ranging from peer mentoring in high school and college affordability guidance to academic success support once students are on campus. We also operate a student center in the Commons Building that provides open programming, study space, and a welcoming environment where students can build community.”
In addition to OAE’s work, students are supported by a wide network of services through Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, including financial aid, transition services, housing, health and well-being, basic needs support, and student engagement programs. Rather than duplicating these efforts, the LaunchNW partnership helps ensure students are aware of — and connected to — the right resources at the right time.
“With so many strong support systems already in place at WSU, this partnership was a natural fit that enhances our ability to meet students where they are and guide them to new or existing services to help them succeed,” Highfill said. “It’s also an opportunity for WSU to partner with an organization that is deeply rooted in community and aligned with our own land-grant mission of access and outreach.”
Jewell noted the importance of having a space on campus to connect with students and build community.
“As LaunchNW continues to grow our College Navigator program, we are excited to have the opportunity to partner with WSU through OAE,” Jewell said. “Our mission at LaunchNW is to ensure every student finds belonging and travels their best journey. The student support services that OAE already offers align with that mission, so the partnership just makes sense. I am excited to see both the program and our partnership grow as the year progresses.”
LaunchNW supports students through one-on-one advising, scholarship assistance, and ongoing coaching. To date, the program has awarded scholarships to more than 312 students pursuing two- and four-year degrees, and students participating in LaunchNW complete the FAFSA at rates that exceed state and county averages.
Hunter Jones, a first-year student studying media production and journalism, credits the program with helping him succeed at WSU. “LaunchNW has been a part of my growth since high school. I struggled to find my place in college at first. But being part of LaunchNW has helped me grow both as a person and as a student, and it’s played a big role in my love for WSU.”
