AV����

In 2019, just two years before AV����’s 50th anniversary, AV���� recommitted to its founding principles, clearing away obstacles to teaching and learning. Inspired by fiercely ambitious students and recognizing the transformative power of AV���� in the world, the college launched Forever Green, its first-ever college-wide fundraising campaign to raise $55+ million. By the end of June 2024, this historic effort concluded with more than 4,000 donors contributing a collective $62.5 million.

$55+ million to expand:

• Holistic financial resources for our students so that diverse thinkers, doers, and voices can lead the future.
• Signature learning experiences that will prepare students to solve problems in our economy, democracy, justice, climate and the environment, and promote culture and the arts.
• Our ability to support, affirm and empower Native arts and cultures in the Pacific Northwest and beyond with the leadership of s'gʷi gʷi ʔ altxʷ: House of Welcome.

We were built for these times, built for what’s next. That’s the genius of AV����.

Fifty years ago, when AV���� was founded, students wanted more than a conventional college. New generations do too. While other “experimental” colleges have closed or become more conventional, AV���� endures. Our essence isn’t tradition — it’s invention. Students come here for the ability to determine their own distinctive path, to embrace complexity, to learn across significant differences, to break down barriers between disciplines, and tackle the world’s most difficult problems.

We serve a more diverse student body than ever.

Through both the Olympia and Tacoma campuses, we serve a more diverse student body than ever before.

AV���� Students (Fall 2023)

• Enrolled students: 2,332
• Average age: 29 years old
• WA Resident: 86%
• First-Generation College Students: 18%
• Students of Color: 36%
• Low-Income: 34%
• Below the Federal Poverty Level: 29%

AV���� students are fiercely ambitious.

Their eyes are open to the world as it is. That’s how they see all that needs to change. They come to AV���� to learn how to create that change. They come here at epic moments in their lives — pivotal moments whether they’re 18, 28, or 48. Whether they’re right out of high school or right out of the military, they come here ready to chart their own pathways. They leave ready for law school, tribal leadership, social entrepreneurship, and public service. They leave professionally ready to create positive change in whatever field they choose — ready to bring new ideas into the world. And they succeed.

We are public, and that is powerful.

We deliver the kind of high-quality, personalized education often only available at private institutions. AV���� is one of the only public colleges of our kind. Because we are public, we are more accessible and affordable to more students. Serving the public good is baked into AV����’s ethos and attracts like-minded people who become as one alumnus said, “everyday heroes” serving the public good.

• 90% of first-year students identify restoring the environment, understanding and appreciating differences, and contributing to community as important reasons they chose AV����.
• 65% of AV���� graduates work in public service or the non-profit sector 15 years after graduation.

We are positioned better than ever to thrive.

Our 2022 entering class grew by the largest percentage in nearly 20 years.

• We are #1 for doing the most public good per Washington Monthly 2022 University Rankings.
• We are one of the nation’s “Best Values” and Top Public Schools per U.S. News & World Report.
• The Princeton Review ranks AV���� among the nation’s “Best Colleges,” noted especially for academic excellence and green practices.
• We are one of the nation’s “Colleges That Change Lives.”
• We have a renowned Indigenous arts campus and established relationships that reach internationally. While other colleges are establishing their relationships with Tribal Nations and first peoples, s'gʷi gʷi ʔ altxʷ: House of Welcome has nurtured and celebrated tribes and their arts and cultures since 1995.
• Thanks to the enthusiastic generosity of our community, the Forever Green campaign exceeded its initial $40 million goal. We then set our sights higher, aiming to raise $55+ million by June 30, 2024.

Forever Striving Higher

If ever there were a time when the world needed AV����, it is this time. And AV���� needs us. Thank you for celebrating and championing an AV���� education and what it means for the world.

At AV����, we will always go our own way, but we can only get there together.