Corporate and foundation partnerships play an important role in advancing the mission of Western Washington University. Through collaboration with industry, businesses, and philanthropic organizations, Western creates opportunities for students, strengthens academic programs, and supports research that benefits our communities and economy.
The Foundation for WWU & Alumni works with corporate and foundation partners to develop mutually beneficial relationships that connect organizations with Western’s expertise, resources, and talented students.
Whether your goal is to support student success, collaborate with faculty researchers, recruit emerging talent, or invest in innovation, we can help you navigate Western and build a partnership that aligns with your organization’s priorities.
Contact
Kerry Godes
Associate Vice President for Development
Email: godesk@wwu.edu
Phone: (360) 650-4199
Connect with Opportunities and Resources
Western offers many ways for organizations to engage with students, faculty, and programs across the university.
Support Students, Programs, and Facilities
A gift to Western Washington University is an investment in the future. Private support helps prepare the next generation of professionals while enabling faculty and students to pursue transformative research and learning opportunities.
Corporate and foundation partners can support:
- Student scholarships and fellowships
- Academic programs and research initiatives
- Facilities, laboratories, and learning spaces
- Student support programs and experiential learning opportunities
Work With Faculty and Students
Organizations can partner with Western faculty and students through applied research, experiential learning, and sponsored projects.
Opportunities include:
- Faculty-led research collaborations
- Sponsored research projects
- Student internships
- Capstone projects
- Graduate or undergraduate fellowships
Engage with WWU Resources, Institutes, and Faculty Expertise
Corporate and foundation partners can connect with Western’s research centers, institutes, and specialized facilities.
Examples include:
- Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Center (AMSEC)
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program
- Border Policy Research Institute
- Center for Business and Economic Research
- Cyber Range Poulsbo
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Engineering and Design Programs
- Institute for Energy Studies
- Institute of Environmental Toxicology
- Institute for Watershed Studies
- Resilience Institute
- Salish Sea Institute
- Shannon Point Marine Center
- Small Business Development Center
- Technology Development Center
- Western Mars Lab
Continuing Education and Professional Development
Western offers opportunities for organizations to support employee development and continuing education.
Programs include:
- MBA Programs (Bellingham Traditional, Accelerated, and Evening programs; Everett Weekend MBA)
- Cybersecurity B.S. Program (WWU, WWU Extended Education, and Partner Schools)
- Educational Leadership Programs (North Seattle campus)
Professional and Continuing Education programs also provide learning opportunities throughout the Puget Sound region and online.
Learn more: https://pce.wwu.edu
Recruitment and Internships
Western students bring creativity, curiosity, and strong academic preparation to their work. Employers can connect with students through internships, job recruitment, and career engagement programs.
The Career Services Center works with employers to develop customized recruitment strategies and connect organizations with qualified candidates.
Learn more: https://careercenter.wwu.edu/employers
Program-Specific Internships
Practical experience is a critical part of a Western education, and many programs require students to gain experience through internships.
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Fine and Performing Arts
- College of the Environment
- College of Business and Economics
Featured Partnership: The Muljat Group
Western Washington University and The Muljat Group have partnered to create a program that supports student success.
Through this partnership, The Muljat Group donates 25 percent of agency compensation from qualified home sales to The Foundation for WWU & Alumni. These funds support scholarships for student athletes, programs for student parents, and initiatives that help students experiencing food and housing insecurity.
Learn more about the partnership: https://foundation.wwu.edu/muljat-group-partnership