Article via Oly Arts
By Ned Hayes

South Puget Sound Community College might seem an unusual place to find a five-course, wine-paired dinner. Yet the SPSCC culinary arts team is determined to turn its Percival Restaurant location into a desired destination for discriminating diners.

South Puget Sound Community College welcomed to campus Kenyan bishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba to explore study opportunities for college-age Kenyans from Nakuru to SPSCC. Members of International Student Services, Student Services, and Professional Technical offices welcomed Bishop Makumba with lunch and discussion on Aug. 23, 2018.

The IGNITE program launches this fall to help close the achievement gap for vulnerable SPSCC students.

Twenty-four students applied for the program, including five incoming freshmen, and 20 will enter the program.

IGNITE students get personalized advising, coaching, and a team of advocates and resources to keep them focused and moving toward their goals. The program is designed specifically to help first generation, low income, and students with disabilities to succeed.

Thanks for welcoming us to Yelm!

This exciting partnership between SPSCC and Yelm Community Schools brings opportunities to the Yelm community at many learning levels. Featured on the cover, YHS student Bailey Hobson is considering Running Start to launch into the Culinary Arts program, teacher Erika Hedegard will teach College in the High School chemistry classes, and Principal Ryan Akiyama will continue to create paths to higher education for YHS students.

Article via Nisqually Valley News
By Daniel Warn

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) has emerged as a state and national leader in Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL). According to 2016-17 Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) performance data, SPSCC ranks number two of out 44 participating adult education programs in Washington State.  Additionally, the college’s Transition Studies faculty have been invited to present at national conferences in 2017 and 2018.

Love jazz? Don't miss the live performance of local student jazz combo The Waywards on KNKX radio on Wed., June 13, 2018 at 12 p.m.

The Waywards are made up of SPSCC, SPSCC CCE, and TESC students:

• Noah Plumley
• Theo Ragan
• Nick Rawson
• Rogan Keys
• Danielle Westbrook

The group will be interviewed on air and will perform live on KNKX for a studio audience.  Listen online at KNKX.org or tune into 88.5 F.M.

SPSCC welcomes professor Kip Fulbeck to close out the 2017-18 Artist & Lecture Series season.  Fulbeck’s lecture, a powerful message surrounding multiracial identities, will be held at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts on Thursday, May 17, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. 

Kip Fulbeck is a pioneering artist, spoken work performer, and filmmaker.  Recipient of the UCSB Distinguished Teaching Award, he is also the author of several books. Fulbeck created The Hapa Project, which was awarded the inaugural Loving Prize at the Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival.

Six automotive and welding students from SPSCC took home gold, silver, and bronze medals from the SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference at Columbia Basin College on April 20 - 21, 2018.  This is the sixth consecutive year that automotive and welding students have competed and won. Read the 2017 story and 2016 story.

The Culinary Arts program received a perfect score at the American Culinary Federation (ACF) accreditation visit on April 24 – 26, 2018. ACF evaluators noted zero areas of non-compliance with ACF policies and procedures. They also noted the program's culture of camaraderie, professionalism, alignment with current industry trends, and industry impact.  The program was granted a five-year certification, the longest certification offered to programs with zero points of non-compliance.