A decade ago, Richard Summers was a remodeling contractor, a job he loved for the challenges it presented. But despite being happy with his work, he knew he wanted to further his education.

In 2010, Richard decided to go back to school and, since he’d served five years in the Navy, he used his veteran’s GI Bill® to enroll in SPSCC’s Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Technology (AEC) program, part of the Information Technology Pathway.

Article via The Olympian
By Roolf Boone

Robert Kupiec, best known by the nickname “Veg,” understands the COVID-19 experience better than most. Not only has he had to adjust his business, Hops on the Hill, to the whims of the pandemic, he also came down with the virus.

Hunter Grandorff got his start at SPSCC in the Running Start program in 2014 after being a homeschooled student. He knew he wanted to build and create with his hands—something in the trades—but he was worried he might not be well received by his classmates as an 18 year old. His experience was just the opposite.

After spending time in the Army, Luke Jean started his career journey at Starbucks, but quickly learned he wasn’t chasing his passion. While he didn’t stay in the coffee industry, one thing he took away from Starbucks is sensory analysis skills. He’s tweaked what he learned in their Coffee Masters program and now applies it to spirits. “I’ve since learned how to lead tastings, how to do pallet cleansings, and other things that are useful in distilling,” said Luke, a graduate of SPSCC’s inaugural Craft Brewing & Distilling program.

Students who work as a peer writing tutor typically won’t use that experience as a pathway to a novelist and librarian, but it worked out that way for one SPSCC alumni. Brooklyn-based Hal Schrieve, class of 2014, is now a published author, poet, and librarian at the New York Public Library.

As one of two students awarded the 2020 Outstanding Student Award, Lindsay Solise graduated with an associate degree in Nursing as part of SPSCC’s class of 2020.

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.”