Student Success Center

The Washington Student Success Center supports the thirty-four community and technical colleges in our state through focused priorities, help from strategic partners, projects such as Guided Pathways, and more.

The Student Success Center unites work being done throughout the state at the college level into statewide initiatives to encouraging peer support and learning between colleges. Working to increase the availability of shared resources and learning, the Center hosts a variety of events through the year to bring members from our community and technical colleges as well as partner organizations together.

To provide the best support, the Student Success Center has identified four key priorities to guide our work: Completion, Equity, Learning and Research.

Center Priorities

Completion: Increasing meaningful credential completion rates of all students.

Equity: Closing the equity gap for underserved communities.

Learning: Offering an aligned and coherent learning agenda designed to build capacity in essential practice areas, equity competencies, and systemic change leadership.

Research: Deepened understanding of effective practice in partnership with colleges, SBCTC, and leading researchers in the field through ongoing evaluation and dissemination of learning.

Accomplishing the Center Priorities

Learn more about how the Student Success Center accomplishes its priorities and the work being done.

Expand All

Guided Pathways

Guided Pathways is an integrated, institution-wide approach to student success based on intentionally designed and structured educational experiences to guide each student effectively and efficiently from entering college through graduation and into a career with labor market value. Visit the Guided Pathways pages to learn more.

Guided Pathways Webpage

Strategic Partners

College Spark Washington (CSW)

College Spark funds a variety of programs across the state to help increase access to higher education for low-income students. As the need for a college educated workforce grows, the programs funded by College Spark explore how to increase college readiness, provide success to college students, and graduate ready for their future. College Spark funds programs at public schools, community organizations, both public and private colleges, and other groups that help with college preparation.

Find out more about College Spark Washington.

Jobs for the Future (JFF)

Jobs for the Future strives to promote change that will better prepare individuals for the shifting needs of future employers. Partnering with governmental organizations, technology companies, and business partners, JFF has three main concentrations that their work focuses on; ensuring equity in advancement, meeting employer needs, and preparing for the future of work. JFF is a national organization with creating broad impact across the country.

Find out more about Jobs for the Future.

Community College Research Initiatives (CCRI)

“The Community College Research Initiatives (CCRI) group conducts research on equitable college access, progression and transfer, degree completion, and employment in living-wage careers for underserved students and diverse learner populations throughout the United States.”

From CCRI at University of Washington

Community College Research Center (CCRC)

Since 1996 the Community College Research Center has studied community colleges across the United States to learn about their work and help them provide the best opportunities to their students. To achieve this CCRC is led by the values of rigorous research, actionable knowledge, collaboration, equity, and optimism.

Find out more about the Community College Research Center.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation assists in aiding the individuals across the world through education, collaboration, innovation, and initiatives. Through research and work with partners, they seek to reduce inequity, provide better worldwide healthcare, empower individuals, and inspire action in individuals and communities globally. Alongside its global goals, the Gates Foundation has a U.S. based program focused on increasing college readiness, high school graduation, and large-scale change to how post-secondary institutions operate.

Find out more about the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.