News & Awards
We’re proud of our community’s success stories.
SPSCC Designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
SPSCC's Cybersecurity and Network Administration Degree was designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency.
SPSCC Designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
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AlumniAfter completing his associate degree at SPSCC, Andrew Patterson transferred to Deakin University in Victoria, Australia. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Creative Writing in 2023. He recently returned to Washington after two years abroad and reflected on his experience starting at SPSCC and his move to a university on the other side of the world.
November 17, 2023
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Program NewsSPSCC is excited to announce the launch of its new Evening and Weekend Nursing Program in response to the high demand for nursing education in the region. The program will introduce 20 additional spots to SPSCC's Nursing Program, addressing the critical shortage of healthcare professionals.
November 15, 2023
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Event NewsSPSCC invites the community to its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Event to gain valuable perspectives on the pursuit of educational equity. Spencer Paysinger, former NFL linebacker and accomplished speaker, takes the stage to deliver a keynote address on "Overcoming the Obstacles to Educational Opportunity". The event will take place on Jan. 12, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Main Stage.
November 8, 2023
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Awards & RecognitionSPSCC proudly announces that it has won a Gold award for the college’s website at the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations District 7 Medallion Awards. This recognition underscores SPSCC's commitment to accessibility, mobile responsiveness, and inclusion, emphasizing the importance of making college information simple and readily available to all website users.
November 1, 2023
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Awards & RecognitionToday, the Aspen Institute named South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) as one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the 2025 $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. This is the fourth consecutive time that Aspen has named SPSCC in the top 150. Earlier in 2023, SPSCC was named a national finalist and a top 10 community college.
October 31, 2023
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Alumni“I keep telling myself that I have to do this. I have to put something in motion that I know is making a difference.” Tammy Levario returned to SPSCC to study Social Services & Education, bringing more than 15 years of experience working in foster care and caregiving to more than 50 teens.
October 10, 2023
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Awards & RecognitionThe Aspen Institute College Excellence Program announced on Sept. 19, 2023 that Dr. Timothy Stokes, President at SPSCC, was selected for the inaugural class of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship. This program, made possible with support from JPMorgan Chase, focuses on developing a sustainable and comprehensive reform agenda that advances excellence and equity in student outcomes at scale.
September 22, 2023
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Student Stories“I just love learning about people’s stories and the influences of their culture,” said Aria Cornwall. Aria is a Capital High School student who attends SPSCC classes through the Running Start program. “My first year at SPSCC has been great! I see the diversity, but I also feel it.”
September 19, 2023
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In the NewsBroaching big topics can be daunting. But it’s also an invaluable way to learn, develop, question and grow, especially during our student years. At SPSCC, facilitators from the A. Barbara Clarkson Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Center (DEIC) are promoting open conversation in a safe, non-judgmental environment thanks to a series of Uncomfortable Conversations.
August 7, 2023
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Foundation News | In the NewsShe lived her life to make a difference – and did! She literally crafted our local human services system over 50+ of her 85+ years. Now, a group of people are taking action to ensure her legacy lives on. Plaques and monuments are fine, but the members of the League of Women Voters, Thurston County (LWVTC), want to follow her lead and use the medium of giving.
August 7, 2023
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Student Stories“After I started the automotive program at SPSCC, I got the opportunity to sell the house I had in Tenino. I bought a house down in Arkansas because it’s my calling. I’m originally from the Midwest, I like the slow pace of life, the weather, and I got to be closer to my family,” said Tom Seal. “I sold all my stuff and moved down there. I started looking for automotive programs and there was nothing of the sort like we have here. SPSCC is the only reason I came back to Washington State.”
June 7, 2023
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Event NewsFor many students, their artwork is capable of expressing more about life than words themselves. The ability to create allows them to send a message without ever speaking. Through different mediums, colors, and materials, the student artwork in this year’s exhibit says something about what South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) art classes can teach. Every year the art faculty of SPSCC goes through the art students’ completed assignments from a variety of courses and picks out the best of the best to be featured in the annual student art exhibition, open now through June 16, Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery.
June 5, 2023
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In the News | Event NewsChances are you’ve marveled at Georges Seurat’s pointillist masterpiece, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” This iconic scene of people strolling along a sunny waterfront with parasols, top hats, curious children and playful puppies is made up of tiny individual dots. These blend into a piece of art that can be found everywhere from coffee table books to picture postcards. It’s also the focal point of the award-winning musical “Sunday in the Park with George” being presented by the South Puget Sound Community College Theatre Collective from May 26 through June 4.
May 23, 2023
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Foundation NewsSPSCC's Veteran & Military Family Resources Center is a welcoming space on campus for students and their families who have served. In recent years, it has gone through a transformation thanks to the participation and collaborative support of student veterans and Veteran Specialist Michelle Erzen. Renovation plans for a larger space are in the works for fall 2023.
May 4, 2023
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Student News | Awards & RecognitionToday, South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) and the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) announced that Sophia Bowton-Meade, student Senator for Legislative Affairs at SPSCC, has been recognized as part of the 2023 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll.
April 26, 2023
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Event NewsSPSCC will be hosting Career Day on May 3, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Health & Wellness Center (Building 31). Career Day brings together a variety of local employers to share career and internship opportunities, recruit employees, and share information about their businesses. This event is free and open to the community.
April 24, 2023
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In the News | Awards & RecognitionToday the Aspen Institute announced the winners and finalists of the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier award for two-year colleges. South Puget Sound Community College was recognized as a finalist, applauded for their outstanding work helping students succeed in college and beyond.
April 20, 2023
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Student News | Awards & Recognition | Event NewsSPSCC today announced its two students being recognized as members of the 2023 All-Washington Academic Team: Kelsey Christensen-Abel and David Stanton. Kelsey and David will be honored at a ceremony recognizing this year’s top students from the state’s 34 community and technical colleges. The ceremony will be held on April 27 at 12 p.m. in Building 27 at SPSCC’s Olympia Campus and live-streamed on the SPSCC YouTube channel.
April 19, 2023
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Alumni“3D modeling has always been a hobby of mine. It’s something I’ve been doing since I was twelve. It’s always been there, off to the side, and I thought I’d never be able to build that skill into something practical,” said SPSCC alumnus Justin Losey. “At SPSCC, I learned that wasn’t true. That skill was the beginning of my career.”
April 13, 2023
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Event NewsSPSCC invites the entire state of Washington to celebrate the 27th annual All-Washington (All-WA) Academic Team Ceremony. The All-WA ceremony will honor 75 students from the state’s 34 community and technical colleges. It will be held on April 27 at 12 p.m. in Building 27 at SPSCC’s Olympia Campus and live-streamed on the SPSCC YouTube channel.
April 12, 2023
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Alumni | In the NewsThe new season of Love is Blind is finally here, where contestants are searching for their life partner without seeing the other person. In keeping with last year's trend, 30 contestants have entered to find their perfect match. Communication via pods is the first step, followed by the engagement proposal and finally the wedding day. While this season of Love is Blind is in progress, it will be fascinating to see which couple finds their soul mate.
March 27, 2023
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In the NewsLIFT, the Detroit-based, Department of Defense national manufacturing innovation institute, and SPSCC have announced a partnership to provide free training & national certifications to transitioning service members, National Guard, Army Reserves, and their families for careers in advanced manufacturing through LIFT’s Operation Next initiative.
March 9, 2023
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Foundation News | Event NewsOn March 14, 2023, approximately 275 Native youth from local tribes will participate in this year’s FIRE Summit. Statistics show indigenous students are the least enrolled in higher education nationwide. The Summit gives Native youth from across Washington state a chance to change that.
March 3, 2023
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Alumni | Awards & RecognitionSPSCC congratulates alumna Patricia Gonzalez on receiving the 2023 Washington State Association of College Trustees (ACT) Transforming Lives Award. As an award recipient, Patricia received a financial award of $250 from the ACT and was honored at the Transforming Lives Award Dinner at the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake on Jan. 23, 2023.
January 27, 2023
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Alumni | Student StoriesDyer Oxley attended SPSCC from 2000 to 2001 and now works on the web team at KUOW public radio. When he’s not writing, editing, and updating KUOW’s website, Dyer is hosting and producing NW NERD, an award-winning podcast that shares the passions of nerds across the northwest.
January 17, 2023
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eSports NewsSPSCC is thrilled to join the world of competitive gaming with its newest team: Clipper eSports. This fall, the competition begins as student recruits, led by eSports head coach Michael Nguyen, compete in video games such as League of Legends, Valorant, Overwatch, Halo, and more.
January 11, 2023
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Event NewsThe annual Fine Art Postcard Exhibition returns to the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery for its 12th year from Jan. 3 to Feb. 3, 2023, with the theme “From the Edge”. The opening reception will be held on Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. and the closing reception will be held on Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.
December 15, 2022
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Program NewsThroughout the summer of 2022, the Welding program’s space in Building 16 at SPSCC’s Olympia Campus experienced a major overhaul. When students returned for Fall Quarter, they had a redesigned shop with new welding booths, new equipment, and new opportunities waiting for them.
November 30, 2022
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Foundation News | Program NewsThe Science, Engineering, and Math (SEM) Pathway provides a comprehensive array of programs designed to give students the foundation they need to pursue fields in research, engineering, and much more. Included in the long list of subjects are Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Science, Math, and Physics. Courses in this pathway prepare students for a wide range of scientific and technical careers and transfer opportunities to 4-year universities.
November 23, 2022
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Awards & RecognitionOn Nov. 8, 2022, education company EAB named SPSCC as the winner of its Student Success Collaborative – Return on Education Award. The award recognizes an institution that has seen significant and measurable results from its efforts to help students persist, graduate, and thrive.
November 9, 2022
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Athletics News | Awards & RecognitionSPSCC congratulates student-athletes Yuta Shimazu and Chris Morell for being selected for the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) West Region All-Star Soccer Team. The duo will participate in the NWAC All-Star game on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m. at the Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Wash.
November 8, 2022
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Awards & RecognitionSPSCC congratulates chemistry professor Dr. James (Jim) Chen who was awarded the 2022 ACCT Pacific Regional Faculty Award on August 12, 2022. The Association of Community College Trustees’ (ACCT) regional awards program annually recognizes one faculty member in each of its five regions for their tremendous contributions to community colleges.
September 16, 2022
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Program NewsIn 2021, SPSCC became one of three schools in Washington State to participate in a two-year Summer Running Start pilot program. This year, SPSCC has seen great success in enrollment, showcasing how high school students are making the most of the year-round Running Start program’s flexibility.
August 17, 2022
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Program NewsSPSCC extends our gratitude to our legislators for the historic, bipartisan investments that they made in support of assisting homeless students, expanding cybersecurity and nursing education, and increasing the college’s ability to do effective outreach in historically underrepresented communities.
March 17, 2022
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Student StoriesMariah Slack is a student at SPSCC pursuing an Associate in Arts. She has a genetic deletion condition known as Williams syndrome (WS). Only 3% of people diagnosed with WS graduate from high school. Of that 3%, only 1% go on to college. Mariah has never let these odds get in the way of continuing her education.
January 31, 2022
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Student StoriesJoshua transferred from South Africa in search of more opportunities. After signing with a sports agency, he was invited to join the SPSCC men’s soccer team. “They really convinced me to get over here, so I eventually made the decision,” he said. “And I’m very happy that I did.”
September 21, 2021
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In the News | Athletics News | Student NewsOn Friday, April 2, a small group of past and current student leaders met at the newly completed Health & Wellness Center to officially welcome Percy the Kraken to the Clipper family. They’re a student-led project that spanned over four years from idea to completion.
May 31, 2021
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Program News | Foundation News | Student NewsSPSCC and the SPSCC Foundation today announced its largest gift in school history, a $2.5 million gift from the Bruno and Evelyne Betti Foundation. The gift will impact the college’s Professional Technical degree programs, as well as Healthcare programs in the Dr. Angela Bowen Center for Health Education.
December 9, 2020
