Whatcom Community College and Western Washington University launch guaranteed admission partnership, including pathways to Western majors

BELLINGHAM, Washington, October 6, 2025 – Students at Whatcom Community College (WCC) now have a streamlined and guaranteed route to a bachelor’s degree at Western Washington University (Western) through a new transfer pathway partnership announced today by both institutions.

The agreement guarantees admission to Western for WCC transfer students who complete a transfer degree, providing a clear and dependable path to continue their education at one of the state’s top public universities. In support of expanding educational access in the region, the $70 application fee is being waived for WCC students.

“This collaboration accelerates student success by providing clear, direct pathways and removing the uncertainty often associated with the transfer process,” said Whatcom Community College President, Justin Guillory. “WCC’s collaboration with Western creates valuable new pathways for students to complete a four-year degree and reflects the strong collaboration between our institutions in supporting student success. It’s a testament to the shared commitment and goodwill between our campus communities.”

Under the agreement, WCC students qualify for guaranteed admission to Western if they:

• Complete either an Associate in Arts and Sciences – Direct Transfer Agreement (AAS-DTA) or Associate in Science – Transfer (AS-T) degree at Whatcom Community College
• Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Earn at least a 2.0 GPA in the last quarter before applying for admission and the final quarter before transferring

Students admitted through this program will enter Western as juniors, ready to progress toward a bachelor’s degree.

In addition to general admission, eligible WCC students may receive direct admission into nearly 30 academic majors at Western. Some majors may require additional admissions steps or prerequisites. 

“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to expanding access and removing barriers for transfer students,” said President Randhawa, Western Washington University. “Western is proud to partner with Whatcom to create a reliable, student-centered pathway to a four-year degree.”

The program ensures that students are promptly connected with academic advisors at both institutions to help them select courses aligned with their intended majors. Western and WCC will also collaborate on outreach, advising, and annual evaluations to ensure a smooth transfer process.

For more information about transferring from Whatcom Community College to Western Washington University, visit Whatcom.edu/Transfer or https://admissions.wwu.edu/transfer/guaranteed-admissions.

Whatcom is one of five colleges with which Western Washington University guarantees transfer admissions to students, WCC joins Everett, Olympic College, Peninsula College and Skagit Valley College.

Photo by Ross Eckert. Whatcom Community College, Phyllis and Charles Self Learning Commons building with Coast Salish artist, James Harry’s sculpture titled ININYAX’A7N (Thunderbird) pictured.

About Whatcom Community College
Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Washington, is regularly recognized as one of the top community colleges in the nation for student outcomes. The College is a destination for cybersecurity, healthcare, and business studies and offers three bachelor of applied science degrees, transfer degrees, career and workforce preparation, online & hybrid courses, and community education classes. New high school graduates, laid-off workers, seasoned employees, future university students—all students count on WCC to support their academic and career goals. For more information, visit www.whatcom.edu.

WCC Media Contact & Public Information Officer: Marni Saling Mayer, PIO, and Director of Communication & Marketing,  msmayer@whatcom.edu, Phone: 360.383.3312.

About Western Washington University
Western Washington University offers more than 200 academic programs on its main campus in Bellingham and at additional locations in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Nationally recognized for academic excellence, sustainability, undergraduate research, and student success – including First-Gen Forward and Military Friendly designations, Western consistently ranks among the top public master’s-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest.

Western contact: Enrollment Management, John Thompson, Senior Director, WWU Office of Communications, thomps94@wwu.edu, Phone: 360.739.3622.