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

Join Clipper Athletics and the SPSCC Alumni Association in welcoming back a diverse group of women’s basketball alumnae as they play against the present-day Clippers Women’s Basketball team on Jan. 5, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the SPSCC gymnasium (Bldg. 31).

After the game, the alumnae will join the current student-athletes to share their own experiences in education, athletics, work, and life.

These former student-athletes return to SPSCC from all walks of life, coming as local sports coaches, mothers, teachers, employers, and business owners:

Jimmy Braese is 76 years old. In summer 2018, he became the oldest student at SPSCC to receive his high school diploma through the High School 21+ (HS21+) program.

SPSCC’s Dental Assisting program brings together students from many backgrounds and connects them to a professional technical career that makes a difference in people’s lives. Near the end of the program, students participate in externships, giving them valuable clinical experience and connecting them with the local community.  That connection is integral to the program, the success of its students, and the local dental community.