Nickole Rosalez didn’t intend to be SPSCC’s 2020 student commencement speaker. But when she found out English professor Corrie Martin nominated her for the "most changed student," it made her think about submitting her application for student speaker. The nomination meant a lot to Nickole because of how she began her journey at SPSCC.

“I started in the High School+ program," Nickole recalled. "It felt so good to finish [high school], I wanted to keep accomplishing things."

Article via MasonWebTV

For the past 15 years, Lea Sorley, RN, has worked as a registered nurse in the Surgery Department at Mason General Hospital, a job she excels at because she prioritizes teamwork and keeping patients safe. Her can-do attitude and positive demeanor inspires her coworkers each day to come together and care for patients. Mason Health is proud to name Lea Sorley the March Employee of the Month.

In December 2019, the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) completed a thorough analysis of SPSCC’s impact on our region’s economy. What did the data how? SPSCC contributed to the existence of nearly 6,200 full-time jobs and impacted regional labor income by $389 million.

Overall, SPSCC makes a tremendous $930 million economic impact and ac-counts for 6.9% of the county’s Gross Regional Product. By comparison, the wholesale trade industry makes up 6.4% of the Thurston County GRP, according to the EDC's 2017 Thurston Economic Vitality Index.

Growing up as the child of Filipino immigrants, Cleo wanted a rewarding and meaningful career at a young age—and SPSCC helped her find the right path to success.

“I always knew I wanted to go to college,” Cleo said, “but the road to receiving higher education was unclear because I knew how expensive it was.”

Article via ThurstonTalk
By Molly Walsh

With a 56-year history and over 50,000 alumni, South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) has developed deep connections to the Olympia community. And ties to the college are especially apparent at the Olympia Farmers Market. On any given Saturday, the market is ripe with alumni, family and employers of SPSCC students, both operating booths and enjoying the market ambiance.

From Westmont College (Santa Barbara, Calif.)
By Tim Heiduk

It was Doty Catlin’s second attempt at college. Back in 1990, she began at Grays Harbor College, but her studies quickly halted after getting married and having a baby. But when Doty enrolled at SPSCC in 2002, she was a recently single mom who knew that going back to school would provide a sound future for her daughter. “She was 11 when I started at SPSCC, in junior high.”

Watch Doty's video profile on YouTube >

Beginning July 1, 2019, SPSCC alumna Daniela H. Suarez will serve a one-year term on the University of Washington’s Board of Regents as Student Regent following an appointment from Governor Jay Inslee. The Board of Regents is the university’s governing body, its officers selected by Washington State governors to supervise and coordinate university affairs.

Carlos was attending SPSCC to earn his Associate of Arts degree when his instructors brought up the idea of continuing his studies in New Zealand to finish a 4-year degree.

Article via ThurstonTalk
By Molly Walsh