Making a Difference Close to Home: Meet Alumnus Jonathan Thomas

“I’m just so grateful for SPSCC. The opportunity, the resources the college gave me. Whether that’s financial aid, help with textbooks, or tutoring. I’m so grateful for all of it.”

For South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) alumnus Jonathan Thomas, higher education was never just about earning a degree. It was about creating opportunities for his family, discovering a passion for helping others, and building a future rooted in service to his community.

Jonathan has lived in the Olympia area for most of his life. Growing up, SPSCC was a familiar presence. At one point, he even lived in the apartments across the street from the college’s Olympia Campus. So when he decided to pursue higher education, choosing SPSCC felt like a natural fit.

When Jonathan enrolled in 2015, he was a stay-at-home dad raising three daughters. Balancing family responsibilities with college coursework meant he attended about two-thirds of a full-time schedule, carefully planning his classes around the needs of his children.

“My two older daughters went to Tumwater Hill Elementary, while my youngest daughter went to Serendipity Children’s Center on SPSCC’s Olympia Campus for preschool,” Jonathan shared. “I organized my classes around her schedule, so we walked to school together every day. It was so helpful.”

Throughout his time at SPSCC, Jonathan relied on the support systems available to students.

“Everything in the Center for Student Success was a huge help,” he said. “I definitely utilized them a lot.”

In 2019, Jonathan graduated with an Associate in Arts degree. Along the way, he found inspiration in his courses and faculty who challenged him to think differently about the world around him.

“As cliché as it sounds, I always wanted to help people, but I didn’t know what that looked like,” he said. “When I was at SPSCC, I took a lot of social science classes, and I became passionate about social justice work. That helped me understand what I wanted to do as a career.”

He credits instructors including CJ Dosch, Jason Salcedo, and Amanda Ybarra with helping prepare him for the work he does today.

“Amanda was my sociology professor, and it’s funny because I’ve now worked with her in professional settings around the community,” Jonathan said. “I was like, ‘Wow, my professor and I are colleagues.’”

As Jonathan approached graduation, he began exploring transfer opportunities and was advised that public service experience could strengthen his applications. That recommendation led him to volunteer with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity. His love for his work propelled him from volunteer to Community Engagement Liaison, the role he holds today. His work includes fundraising, professional development, chamber of commerce meetings, volunteer recruitment, donor engagement, and connecting people with Habitat’s affordable homeownership and home repair programs.

“I scream Habitat from the rooftops,” Jonathan laughed. “Anything I can do to spread the word about what Habitat is.”

His favorite aspect of his job is seeing the impact it has on families throughout the region.

“It truly is life-changing work,” he said. “Giving families strength, helping kids find a stable home, giving them opportunities.”

The organization is currently building approximately 150 homes over the next five years and continues to accept applications from prospective homeowners through its website, spshabitat.org. Community members can also get involved through upcoming affinity builds at Habitat’s Tumwater (Tâlíčn) development. Pride Build, taking place October 9 to 10 ahead of National Coming Out Day, will bring people together to raise awareness of housing barriers faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and families while building community and making a meaningful impact. Veterans Build will follow November 11 to 14, bringing together veterans, active-duty military personnel, family members, and community supporters for four days of service and camaraderie in support of Habitat’s mission.

Reflecting on his college experience, Jonathan believes SPSCC provided more than academic preparation. The diverse campus community helped him develop skills that continue to shape his professional life.

“SPSCC being such a diverse community and so welcoming of all people gave me that background of being able to listen to different perspectives and accepting people for who they are,” he explained.

His educational journey is not over. Jonathan hopes to continue his education in the future, potentially focusing on public affairs or leadership studies.

“I want to continue my education, which is ironic because I wasn’t a great high school student,” he said. “But when your priorities shift, and you’re going for the right reasons, that changes everything.”

At home, Jonathan remains focused on his most important role: being a father. When asked to describe him, his daughters supplied the answer.

“According to my daughters, I’m chaotic, funny, and nice,” he said, reading his daughters’ notes. “I know famous people, apparently. I have a cool job, and I love holidays, music, and the Seahawks.”

As his daughters approach college age, Jonathan often shares stories about his own experience at SPSCC.

“I always tell them, ‘SPSCC is right here,’” he said. “I tell them that I loved my experience and it would be so cool to have that family legacy.”

For other adult learners considering college or returning to school after time away, Jonathan offers simple advice.

“Don’t give up,” he said. “The staff and faculty at SPSCC want to help you and want to see you succeed.”