Contributed article
THATCHER — Todd Haynie, president of Eastern Arizona College, has been appointed to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) by Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Haynie joins Kathleen Goeppinger, president/CEO of Midwestern University, and John Arnold, executive director of the Arizona Board of Regents, as one of Arizona’s three WICHE commissioners representing the state.
The WICHE Commission is comprised of 48 commissioners from the 15 Western states and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States. Together, the Commission guides WICHE’s direction and assures the Western Regional Education Compact is carried out for the benefit of the West, as it has done since 1953.
Prior to becoming the 22nd president for Eastern Arizona College (EAC), Haynie was an administrator for the College for 17 years. He was recruited by EAC to become an admissions counselor and was later promoted to be the director of marketing and public relations, a position he held for 14 years. Haynie worked in private industry for the Educational Management Group and as a software engineer for IBM before coming to EAC.
“As the president of EAC, my focus is on student success, community engagement, and financial responsibility,” Haynie said. “These principles align very closely to WICHE’s mission to expand access to higher education, and I am deeply honored to contribute to those efforts across the West on behalf of EAC and the state of Arizona.”
Under his leadership, Haynie is guiding EAC through a comprehensive strategic planning process, launching new initiatives to strengthen programming in campus diversity, and transforming the College’s approach to developmental education. He recently oversaw a complete rebranding for the College and revamped its residential life program, helping to increase enrollment and better engage students on campus.
“President Haynie’s leadership and clear dedication to students and the community make him a great fit for the WICHE Commission,” said WICHE President Demarée Michelau. “I have no doubt that his leadership and expertise in the two-year college sector will be an asset to the Commission.”
Haynie holds a bachelor’s degree in film studies from Brigham Young University and a Master of Business Administration from Northern Arizona University.
He serves in many roles within the community but considers the role of husband and father his greatest responsibility.
