A Renewed Vision (Part 2): Dr. Timothy Stokes and the Aspen Presidents Fellowship

“We know that when students leave SPSCC with an associate degree and a clear plan for their third and fourth years at a university, they’re far more likely to complete their bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. Timothy Stokes, president of South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC). “It’s not just about transferring; it’s about thriving after they transfer.”

In Part 1 of this series, Dr. Stokes shared how he is using data, collaboration, and a renewed passion gained from his experience in the Aspen Presidents Fellowship to shape the future of SPSCC. In Part 2, he focuses on a key area of improvement: post-transfer success and creating equitable pathways to bachelor’s degrees and meaningful careers.

Guiding Students Toward Economic Opportunity

To Dr. Stokes, ensuring all SPSCC students find career pathways that lead to financial stability is part of the work of the community college. Too often, students from low-income households and communities of color land in fields with lower earning potential, limiting those students’ long-term economic mobility. 

“How do we ensure more equitable earning outcomes for underrepresented students?” Dr. Stokes asked. “We have to give them pathways that allow them to not only make a living but also make a difference for their families.”

By providing clear academic roadmaps, expanding wraparound support systems, and ensuring students are connected to high-paying industries early in their college journey, SPSCC is working to equip students to graduate with the credentials and connections they need to succeed. The goal is not just to increase degree completion rates but to ensure those degrees lead to real economic opportunity.

Strengthening Transfer Pathways

For students not entering the workforce immediately, early pathways and connections to four-year institutions are critical to students’ success and upward mobility. Key to Dr. Stokes’ vision for improving post-transfer success are comprehensive partnerships with SPSCC’s top transfer institutions: University of Washington-Tacoma (UW-T), Washington State University (WSU), The Evergreen State College (TESC), and Western Washington University (WWU). With dual admission agreements at UW-T and WSU, students will soon be able to plan their bachelor’s degrees from the moment they start at SPSCC.

“We’re working to ensure students have clear degree plans, financial aid strategies, and connections to their future transfer campus before they leave SPSCC,” said Dr. Stokes. “And, ideally, before they even begin here.”

These partnerships also include data-sharing agreements to better track student progress and outcomes after transfer. The results are promising: SPSCC students have strong completion rates at UW-T and WWU, hovering around 70%—far above the national average of 48% according to the Community College Research Center. The college is working closely with TESC and WSU to boost SPSCC transfer students’ completion rates, which are currently at the national average. 

“Community College 3.0 isn’t just about changing community colleges,” Dr. Stokes explained. “It’s about community colleges leading the way and inspiring universities to evolve. We’re looking forward to the progress we can make with these colleges and universities to improve post-transfer success rates.”

Additionally, Dr. Stokes has tapped into the student leaders within SPSCC’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, a group enthusiastic about hosting transfer workshops that will help students navigate the transfer process, connect with their future universities, and feel confident about their academic and career paths.

By strengthening transfer pathways, addressing inequities, and fostering collaboration with top transfer universities, Dr. Stokes is leading SPSCC into a future where every student has the tools to succeed after graduation. His efforts align with the core of Community College 3.0, ensuring that every student’s success story continues long after their time at SPSCC.

“We’re not just preparing students to leave SPSCC,” said Dr. Stokes. “We’re preparing them to succeed wherever they go next.”

Part Three

In Part 3 of this series, Dr. Stokes shares how investing in SPSCC’s faculty, staff, and community partnerships keeps the college innovative, decreases burnout, and ultimately strengthens student success.