This week’s Seattle Times editorial highlights our innovative scholarship programs which can make all the difference in students’ college careers and lives. Many members of our college community are working with community partners to create and develop these scholarships which help us to lead the way in offering an attainable education. 

May 14, 2013 Seattle Times Editorial: Seattle Community Colleges — a wise investment in students

Noteworthy scholarship programs at Seattle Community Colleges recognize students’ hard work and difficult circumstances

The growing expense of college requires higher-education institutions to keep a strong commitment to student aid.

Community college students with an interest in preschool teaching careers could be eligible for UW’s first all-online bachelor’s degree program, which is being offered in early childhood education.  Eligible students include those who have an AA degree, or who have 70 or more credits that can transfer.  The program will open with 100 students this fall, in partnership with the three Seattle Community Colleges and Shoreline Community College.

Pre-school teacher employment is expected to grow by 25% in the next decade, along with an increasing focus on the importance of early childhood education. 

The degree program will cost $160 per credit – equivalent to $7,000 for a year for a full-time student – and much less than current in-state tuition rate.  Most students are expected to enroll part-time while working.

The online program will feature recorded lecture classes and videos of teaching situations, combined with student-made videos of themselves practicing techniques in preschool classrooms.  The degree will prepare graduates to work in preschools, social and mental health services and parent and family support areas.

“We applaud the University for taking this bold new step in online education,” said Seattle Community Colleges Chancellor Jill Wakefield. “It clearly is designed to meet a growing need and to offer a pathway for community college students with an interest in early childhood education to fulfill their goals through an affordable online program.  It’s terrific.”

The Community College Baccalaureate Association has presented Seattle Community Colleges Chancellor Jill Wakefield with its national 2013 Pioneer Award for her leadership in developing four-year degrees that improve access to higher education in our region. 

Dr. Wakefield was cited for leading the way in economic development in Washington state and nationally by opening new pathways to baccalaureate-level education. Students with limited options for four-year degrees, many place-bound by jobs or family needs, are now able to compete for higher level technical and management positions by obtaining bachelor’s degrees through the Seattle Community Colleges. 

The Seattle Community Colleges pioneered BAS degrees in Washington state in 2008, among the first of the state’s colleges to do so. As president at South Seattle Community College, Chancellor Wakefield led development of the Hospitality Management BAS, which was followed quickly by an Applied Behavioral Science degree at Seattle Central. 

More programs are now in development in response to industry needs in high-demand fields in the Seattle region. BAS programs scheduled to begin enrolling students during the next year include Post-secondary Professional Technical Teacher Education, and International Business. Also in the pipeline are baccalaureate programs in Allied Health, BSN Nursing and Software Engineering Technology.

The award was presented in March at the CCBA annual conference in Dallas.

Roy Flores made his mark as a pioneer in social justice and in higher education across the state and at North Seattle Community College, where he served for many years as college vice president for student services. His recent death was marked at the college, across the community and in proclamations from the city, county and state.

Mr. Flores was a widely-respected Filipino-American leader whose passion for student-centered education left a profound mark on the Seattle Community Colleges. He served as vice president for Student Development Services for 25 years, retired from the colleges in 2009, and died in March at age 69. Recalling his influence, Seattle Community Colleges Chancellor Jill Wakefield said, “Roy made a difference for students, for North Seattle, for the Seattle Community Colleges, for the city and for the State of Washington. He created programs to keep students engaged and enrolled, he developed diversity programs that were a model for the state, and increased student access and success.”

His involvement in higher education followed a career as a civil rights activist and advocate for social justice. He worked for 10 years at the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, ultimately as Director of Minority Affairs. His interest in the recruitment and retention of minority students led to the development of a model for the state-wide Educational Opportunity Program.

Mr. Flores continually modeled a student-centered philosophy during his long tenure at North. He was well known for his personal mentorship of young people. “He helped organize multicultural student services directors at community college across the state of Washington, building capacity for providing support and assistance to students of color,” said North President Mark Mitsui.

The Northwest Wine Academy (NWWA) at South Seattle Community College is going global – with wine tours through Spain and France this summer.  Led by faculty member Regina Daigneault and a local tour guide, the 12-day tours will include wine and food tastings and visits to museums and landmarks.

The trip to Spain (June 13-25) begins in Madrid with a walking tour and visit to the Prado, followed by travels to the Toledo and Jamilla areas of La Mancha, and winery visits to Cava and Salamanca in Estremadura.  Two days in Bierzo visiting wineries, caves and historical sites are followed by three days in the Ribera del Duero wine district, including Rueda, Cigales and Toro.

In France  (Aug.  26 to Sept. 6), travelers start in Bordeaux with visits to St. Emilion, Graves-Sauternes, Haut-Medoc and Entre deux Mer wineries and vineyards; continue in the Loire Valley with stops at Vouvray, Chinon and Sancerre; see cellars and houses in Champagne; and conclude in Alsace at Colmar and nearby small towns.

Want to learn more?  See the Wine Academy newsletter or contact Regina Daigneault .

Find out about opportunities to volunteer, teach, or study abroad at information sessions during February and March.  Global Impact, Teach in China, and Study Abroad offer three exciting opportunities to expand global learning for students, faculty and community members.

Global Impact offers a two-week hands-on volunteer experience in developing countries.  In 2013 volunteers will go to Ghana, Vietnam and India.  Seattle Community College students, faculty and staff, people from other institutions and the community can all take part.  Participants help with health clinics, health education, and infrastructure development projects such as clean burning stoves and water filters.

Teach in China provides a paid intern experience for a semester teaching English conversation in China.  Through an exchange agreement with our partner in China, community college students can work for a semester (4.5 months). Students do not need a Bachelor’s degree or ESL credential.  After orientation and training, students are placed throughout China in public elementary, junior and senior high schools.  Learn Chinese, gain cross-cultural and teaching experience, earn a little money, and have a great adventure! 

Study Abroad is for students.  Quarter-long programs in London, Florence, Costa Rica, South Africa or Spain can be arranged through Seattle Community Colleges in coordination with Washington Community Colleges Consortium for Study Abroad.  Other opportunities to earn credits for overseas studies are also available.

Seattle business and public service executive Steven R. Hill has been named to the Board of Trustees for the Seattle Community Colleges.

Trustee Hill has a broad background working with public agencies and in the private sector.  He served as director of the state Department of Retirement Systems starting in 2009, and as director of the Health Care Authority from 2005 to 2010.  He also has served on the Washington State Investment Board and the Washington State University Board of Regents.  He is currently a member of the boards for Consumers Union, Puget Sound Health Alliance, Seattle Symphony and the state’s public affairs station, TVW. 

Trustee Hill entered public service following a career in the business community.  In 2003, he retired as senior vice president of human resources for the Weyerhaeuser Company after a 32- year career. 

He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Berkeley and an MBA degree from University of California at Los Angeles. 

Trustees are responsible for overall policy and leadership in meeting the current educational needs of the community.  Trustee Hill was named to the Board by Gov. Chris Gregoire on Jan. 4, for a term of appointment starting Jan. 16, 2013.  He replaces longtime board member Tom Malone.  The Board also includes Board Chair Jorge Carrasco; Vice Chair Albert Shen; and Trustees Courtney Gregoire and Carmen Gayton.  Trustee appointments are referred to the State Senate for approval, which is expected to take place during the 2013 legislative session.

Nationally acclaimed actor Jim Lucas will headline the 39th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration presented by the Seattle Community Colleges on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013. Lucas chronicles the Civil Rights Movement through the eyes of Dr. King during his 12 years as a civil rights leader. The actor-historian was inspired to portray Dr. King’s life after he attended the 20th anniversary of the March on Washington in 1983.

Now In its 39th year, this celebration is recognized as the area’s oldest and most significant event celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King.

The event is acclaimed for its Gospel music. This year, Mount Zion Inspirational Choir, directed by Phyllis Byrdwell, will perform familiar spirituals and songs of the era.  Byrdwell, who teaches at Lakeside School and the University of Washington, has also invited students from the Lakeside Chorale and UW Gospel Choir to perform.

Emcee for the program is KOMO 4 News Anchor Connie Thompson.

The event is attended by many civic, business, political and social leaders from the Seattle community, as well as students from across the city. The celebration is free and open to the public.

The event is scheduled from noon – 1:30 pm at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1634 19th Avenue, 98122.

A $15,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will benefit up to 100 incoming College Bound Scholarship seniors entering the Seattle Community Colleges through the Readiness Academy.

The Readiness Academy supports students' transitions from high school to college, including FAFSA financial aid application completion, COMPASS placement test preparation and academic support, orientation to college life, enhanced academic advising and access to college services for several area high schools.  In 2012, the first year for the Readiness Academy, participating students from Cleveland and Chief Sealth High Schools increased their placement on the COMPASS test by at least one course level before starting college.  The fall-winter retention rate was 90%, compared to 69% for the overal student population.

In a news release, Bob Peters, Washington State President of Bank of America said that, "Bank of America recognizes that jobs and education play a critical role in advancing economic development in the Puget Sound, and providing support to organizations like Foundation for Seattle Community Colleges is one of the best ways we can move that development forward."

"Helping students obtain the education and training that they need for 21st century jobs is critical to our regional economic recovery," said Seattle Community Colleges Chancellor Jill A. Wakefield.  This grant will help more College Bound Scholarship students to make a smooth transition to college, receive the support they need to complete their programs of study and graduate to family-wage jobs."

Seattle Magazine has identified its 'Most Influential People of 2012' in Seattle.  Selected annually by the staff of the magazine, this year's list includes 62 of  "Seattle's boldest, brightest, brashest and bossiest movers and shakers."  Seattle Community Colleges Chancellor Jill Wakefield was identified as "Knowledge Leader" in education. 

The magazine writes, “Named to her post in 2009, Wakefield has been steadily and surely raising the bar for Seattle’s four community colleges, championing the new behavioral sciences degree at Seattle Central Community College, promoting green and sustainable curricula and focusing on student retention. At a time when community colleges are being called on to fill a huge gap due to skyrocketing tuition at the four-year institutions and laid-off adults attempting midcareer reinventions, her work is greatly needed and starting to pay off. In 2012, a record 4,500 students graduated from the system.”