System News | Opinion
Training for living-wage trade jobs available at new Tacoma center. Have a look
A new training center in Eastside Tacoma offers classes in trade skills like construction
and plumbing, part of Clover Park Technical College’s efforts to eliminate an “education desert” in the area. [Video]
The News Tribune, July 21, 2025
Olympic College team breaking ground at international engineering competition
Eleven Olympic College students huddled in front of a giant tank, anxiously waiting to drop a 2-foot-long
cylinder into the water. Hoping that it would sink, the Olympic College Engineering
Club submerged the fully student-engineered device, known as an AUV, for its "watertight
test."
Kitsap Sun, July 21, 2025
Six colleges selected to transform advising and better support students
To better support students on their journey from entry to graduation, the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges has selected six community and technical colleges to participate in the Early Adopter
Advising Technology Implementation Project. [Bates Technical College, Edmonds College, Pierce College, Spokane Community College, Spokane Falls Community College, Whatcom Community College]
The Suburban Times, July 19, 2025
Williamson Farms donates $30,000 in seeds to Big Bend agriculture program
Big Bend Community College’s Agriculture program has received a major boost thanks to a generous seed donation
from Williamson Farms, Inc. in Quincy. Valued at more than $30,000, the contribution
was made by Eric Williamson and will support hands-on learning across multiple agriculture
courses.
Source One News, July 18, 2025
WSP and WWCC host advanced commercial vehicle crash investigation course
Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) is working with the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to offer advanced training for law
enforcement officers through a post-collision investigation course.
Elkhorn Media Group, July 18, 2025
Thurston County business confidence falls to 15-year low in midyear economic report
...South Puget Sound Community College president Tim Stokes said the college’s role as a founding sponsor of the [Economic
Vitality Index] showcases its commitment to supporting local economic development.
JOLT News, July 18, 2025
33,000 Washington adult education students in limbo as feds stall education funds
...According to Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges Interim Communications Director Katie Rose, the withheld funding immediately impacts
the state’s 34 community and technical colleges’ ability to serve over 33,000 students.
The Center Square, July 16, 2025
‘Inexcusable’ — Washington joins suit over federal education cuts
... More than $13 million meant to bolster learning is being withheld, according to
an estimate from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Chris Bailey, interim executive director of the board, said the administration’s
decision to withhold certain grants “means immediate impact to tens of thousands of
students across Washington state as they work on their high school diploma or GED,
learn English, math and digital literacy skills, and train for jobs.”
The Seattle Times, July 15, 2025
Higher Education and Politics
Metallica Scholars Initiative continues to expand
...MSI is now involved with 75 colleges in all 50 states and Guam, and is expected
to reach approximately 10,000 students, according to a release. The American Association
of Community Colleges (AACC) is a partner on the initiative.
Community College Daily, July 21, 2025
Workforce Pell Grant expansion faces ‘aggressive’ timeline
Students enrolled in short-term programs will qualify for Pell Grants under the One
Big Beautiful Bill Act. Now federal, state and college officials need to figure out
how to carry out the long-fought-for policy.
Inside Higher Ed, July 17, 2025
