System News | Opinion
Women who build: Voices from RTC’s construction management program
...At Renton Technical College (RTC), the Construction Management program is helping expand the industry’s talent pipeline
by preparing women to begin and advance long-term careers in construction.
Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, March 2, 2026
Peninsula College secures accreditation, $800K grant for dental hygiene program
Peninsula College has cleared two major hurdles in launching its new dental hygiene program. The college
announced it has received initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation
and secured an $800,000 grant from Delta Dental of Washington to support the program.
My Clallam County, March 2, 2026
(Opinion) Local View: Underfunding colleges leaves lasting impact on WA
It’s critical that a quality, affordable post-secondary education remains accessible
for all. The Legislature’s recent budget reduction proposals threaten to make maintaining
quality and affordability in higher education more challenging. At Clark College, our faculty and administration stand united in support of our students and are asking
the Legislature to do the same. (By Dr. Karin Edwards and Suzanne Southerland)
The Columbian, Feb. 28, 2026
Peninsula College declares financial emergency amid $1.8 million shortfall
Peninsula College has declared a financial emergency for the second time in nine months as it works
to close a $1.8 million budget gap. The Board of Trustees approved the resolution
Tuesday, pointing to lower-than-expected enrollment, a shortfall in the Instruction
budget, and ongoing state funding challenges.
My Clallam County, Feb. 27, 2026
New advanced nuclear energy simulator completed to train regional workforce
A new training tool designed to help develop the region’s nuclear energy workforce
is now complete in the Tri-Cities. The tool is an advanced nuclear energy simulator
created through funding from a federal grant and a partnership between Washington
State University Tri-Cities, Columbia Basin College and Energy Northwest.
KEPR, Feb. 25, 2026
Higher Education and Politics
Making the case for funding increases
Community colleges will be front and center at a House appropriations hearing on March
4, where advocates will present to lawmakers key areas of federal funding for programs
that support their institutions and students, from Pell grants to workforce development
efforts.
Community College Daily, March 1, 2026
Washington Watch: Red alert on Pell Grant funding
After years of running a healthy surplus, the Pell Grant program has slid into a serious
deficit mode. Given the program’s essential role in promoting student success, this
shortfall is of the greatest concern for community colleges. Any threat to its funding
is a threat to the sector as a whole.
Community College Daily, March 1, 2026
WA dual-credit program could face cuts
State lawmakers might reduce funding for Running Start, a program that lets high school
juniors and seniors take courses and earn credits at community and technical colleges.
... But amid a budget shortfall, lawmakers have proposed cutting $14 million from
the program. If enacted, students in the program might need to pay to continue taking
summer courses.
The Seattle Times, Feb. 27, 2026
