Issue Position: Higher Education

Issue Position

Representative Drew Hansen chairs the House Higher Education Committee, where he focuses on helping students complete college so they will be prepared for good jobs. Before he entered the Legislature, Representative Drew Hansen served for six years on the board of the Olympic College Foundation, helping students from Kitsap County train for new careers. Representative Hansen's legislative accomplishments on higher education include:

* Bringing two new bachelor's of science degrees to Olympic College (electrical engineering with WSU and cybersecurity with Western Washington University). The Kitsap Sun summarized Hansen's achievements as follows: "Rep. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island, worked with Washington State University to bring an electrical engineering program to OC and with Western Washington University to get a cybersecurity degree. "Our local employers, like Avalara, Paladin and the Navy, are crying out for qualified graduates, and this budget funds new opportunities for Kitsap County students to get the skills they need to compete for those jobs,' said Hansen, chairman of the House Higher Education Committee. "And we closed tax loopholes to cut tuition so students can actually afford to get these degrees.'" (Kitsap Sun, July 1, 2015)

* Successfully pushing for a cut in community college tuition. The Kitsap Sun wrote: "The operating budget cut tuition more than $150 for students enrolled in associate degree and certificate programs . . . . "This tuition cut will help Olympic College students pay for books, bus fare and groceries as they work toward the degrees that will help them get good jobs,' Hansen said." (Kitsap Sun, July 1, 2015)

* Securing new funding to expand the engineering program at Olympic College, doubling the number of engineering degrees produced in Kitsap County

* Sponsoring a bill to require colleges and universities to offer early course registration to veterans and National Guard members, which will help veterans and National Guard members to enroll in the classes they need to train for new jobs and new careers (HB 1109, signed into law Apr. 25, 2013)

* Supporting funding for the design of a new College Instructional Center at Olympic College in Bremerton to expand space for students seeking degrees in professional technology programs like pharmacy technology, digital multi-media, and health.

* Sponsoring a bill to help more low-income kids train for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (HB 2612, signed into law Apr. 3, 2014)

* Co-sponsoring legislation to expand the Aerospace Training Student Loan Program, a program that helps people access the education they need to prepare for careers in aerospace

* Supporting legislation that helps colleges operate more efficiently by streamlining contracting practices at colleges and eliminating unnecessary administrative requirements

* Supporting legislation that ensures transparency for students regarding school activity and service fees

Source