Belonging Center

The A. Barbara Clarkson Center for Culture and Belonging is committed to supporting the college mission to advance equity and belonging at SPSCC.

student smiles, sitting in a chair with guitars hanging on the wall behind
Center for Culture and Belonging

Bldg. 27, 2nd Floor

Call: 360-596-5323

Hours & Contact

Hours

Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Who Do We Serve?

Students of all backgrounds and identities are welcome: we serve any student who needs us.

You're invited to stop by the Center for Culture and Belonging where you can connect and build community with students from across the campus, get support from our dedicated staff, or attend workshops and events. At the Center for Culture and Belonging, we work to empower students to reach their academic, professional, and personal goals!

IGNITE Program

This program is geared towards students who are seeking community, interested in engaging and learning in a diverse environment to grow and support one another. Students who face common barriers to their education regardless of background, race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, and socioeconomic status are encouraged to join the IGNITE program.

Ready to join IGNITE?

Learn More

Rainbow Connection

Presented by the SPSCC LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group, the Rainbow Connection is a monthly meet-and-greet that connects students and LGBTQIA+ staff and faculty of SPSCC, held on the second Thursday of each month in the Belonging Center from 2 to 3 p.m. Open to all students and snacks are included!

Safe Zone

Safe Zones provide a safe space or refuge where you can turn when your safety is immediately threatened, and/or you are experiencing bigotry of any kind. Look for the sign below outside of rooms or in staff/faculty email signatures.

A circle with an upside down rainbow-colored triangle similar to the Pride Flag

Workshops

Workshops and discussions let you expand your perspective and share your experiences at the Belonging Center and Student Life events. Visit the Student Events calendar for opportunities to get involved!

Student Events
Group of students discuss while sitting at a table in the Belonging Center

Conferences

  • FIRE Summit

    A daylong experience designed to ignite Native youth, giving them a place to start dreaming while exploring their future academic possibilities.
    FIRE Summit

  • SOCC

    Held in WA state, the Students of Color Conference offers educational workshops designed to help students lead in a diverse community.
    Students of Color Conference

Want to work at the Belonging Center?

Learn More

About Barbara Clarkson

Throughout A. Barbara Clarkson’s 14 years as a member of the SPSCC Board of Trustees, she served as liaison to the SPSCC Foundation, committing her own time and resources to connect the Foundation to the community and create a network devoted to supporting student success. And through her work with the Thurston Group of Washington State, she championed access to higher education for African-American and underrepresented students, sending hundreds of youth from the Pacific Northwest to college with over $8 million in scholarships. Clarkson retired from the Board in 2019.

The Center for Culture and Belonging was later renamed the A. Barbara Clarkson Center for Culture and Belonging in honor of Clarkson's tireless commitment to equity and access to education.

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