System News | Opinion
Local cosmetologists are dedicated to ensuring people feel their best
On most weekdays, the Inspiration Salon and Spa is buzzing with business. Just past
the floor-to-ceiling glass wall and sleek reception desk is where dozens of aspiring
cosmetologists practice on any willing client. But in the first half of January, just
days into winter quarter at Spokane Community College (SCC), the salon is mostly quiet.
Inlander, Jan. 22, 2026
Renton students can go to community college debt-free with this program
...It wasn’t the path Gonzalez, 19, really knew she would take until the beginning
of her senior year at Renton High School. But when she heard about the Renton Promise
program, she began imagining a career in the field she “used to be scared of.” [Renton Technical College]
The Seattle Times, Jan. 20, 2026
Sights and sounds from CBC’s inspirational MLK Spirit Award ceremony
Tri-Citians celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision and mission of racial equality
and justice at Columbia Basin College’s annual bell-ringing event Monday. Nayeli Berenice Aranda Hernandez of Pasco also was
honored with this year’s Spirit Award...
Tri-City Herald, Jan. 20, 2026
Skagit Valley College picks administrator to temporarily lead school
The Skagit Valley College Board of Trustees chose Mike Cogan on Saturday to serve as lead administrator while
the college is without a president. On Thursday, the board terminated college President
Christopher Villa. Cogan is the college’s vice president of business and administrative
services and its chief financial officer.
Skagit Valley Herald, Jan. 17, 2026
Lower Columbia College appoints interim president
The Lower Columbia College Board of Trustees voted last week to officially appoint Vice President of Instruction
Kristen Finnel as interim president. Finnel took over after the board placed President
Matt Seimears on administrative leave Jan. 8.
The Columbian, Jan. 18, 2026
Governor appoints McDonnell to BBCC board
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has confirmed that Sarah McDonnell has been appointed
to the Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees. She replaces former Trustee Anna Franz who served on the board
since 2012.
Columbia Basin Herald, Jan. 17, 2026
Higher Education and Politics
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges
The Trump administration is dropping its appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked
a campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion threatening federal funding to
the nation’s schools and colleges.
The Seattle Times, Jan. 21, 2026
Trump is allowing some anti-DEI directives to die. That likely won’t matter for colleges.
The Trump administration on Wednesday withdrew its appeal in a lawsuit filed against
federal directives that took aim at colleges’ and schools’ diversity, equity, and
inclusion practices. ... So while the Education Department’s anti-DEI guidance is
no longer on the books, the DOJ’s directive is.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, Jan. 21, 2026
DataPoints: Transfer vs. vocational institutions
The media spotlight has zeroed in on trade-focused workforce development when it comes
to community colleges. But the vast majority of students still attend public two-year
colleges that are transfer-focused.
Community College Daily, Jan. 21, 2026
Washington Watch: Federal judge blocks TRIO grant cancellations
A U.S. district judge on Friday issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump
administration’s cancellation and discontinuation of more than 100 TRIO grants during
the fiscal year 2025 cycle.
Community College Daily, Jan. 18, 2026
