As part of an initiative to increase access to credit and non-credit higher education, Washington State University has established eight learning centers across the state.
Cooperative extension provides basic infrastructure and support for each center.
In 1997 the center collaborated with partners to offer education and training to students in computer skills, job readiness and retraining, life-long learning, and professional development in support of community and human services providers. Approximately 3,000 students took advantage of the center's resources in 1997. Thirty women completed a 100 hour computer skills training curriculum. A third have found jobs requiring basic computer skills. More than 20 transfer students have been recruited, admitted and are taking at least six credits at WSU through the university's Extended Degree Program.