About

The Washington Higher Education Secretariat (WHES) was formed in 1962 to serve as a voluntary forum for Chief Executive Officers of national higher education associations. The Secretariat is composed of chief executives from approximately 50 associations, each of which serves a significant sector or function in postsecondary education. Membership is by election of current members.

The primary purposes of the Secretariat are:

• To provide a forum for association chief executives to consider strategic issues, to review trends/challenges confronting higher education and to develop responses, and to learn from colleagues and external experts.
• To study specific issues through working groups consisting of Secretariat members .
• To provide opportunities for networking and collaboration among member associations.

WHES is coordinated by the office of the President of the American Council on Education (ACE).