South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) last week announced a new role on the College’s executive leadership team: Chief Diversity Officer. Parfait Bassalé will serve in this position and plans to further support the College’s core theme of “Equity” and commitment to cultivating an environment that reduces barriers and removes equity gaps.

Article via The Olympian
By Molly Gilmore

Every year, SPSCC recognizes an Outstanding Student, or students, to receive the Outstanding Student Award. The recipients are selected for their outstanding achievements and contributions to SPSCC in the areas of academics, performance, and service to the college or the community, as well as their overall personal growth and development throughout their time at SPSCC.

We’re pleased to announce our 2020 Outstanding Student Award recipients.

SPSCC will celebrate more than 1,400 graduates at the 2020 commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 20, at 10 a.m. in a virtual ceremony.

For its 55th commencement ceremony, the college will award 1,498 associate degrees and certificates to the 2020 graduating class. Additionally, the college will award 308 GED® awards, totaling 2,008 awards. Standing out in academic success this year are the 970 graduates earning transfer associate degrees. With an average GPA 3.30, this group of transfer degree students may enter a Washington State public university as a junior.

Spring 2020 Virtual Transfer Fair

Tuesday, June 2, 2020
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Planning to transfer to a 4-year university? Join us for our first ever Virtual Transfer Fair, in partnership with Grays Harbor College (GHC) and local and regional 4-year universities.

How will it work? The day of the event, links will be posted for each school. Click on the school to visit their Zoom or Webex room. Jump back to the webpage to visit other schools and even get walk-in advising from your SPSCC or GHC transfer advisors!

How do you support nearly 5,000 students with essential services when campuses are closed to in-person activities? Resourcefulness and technology.

Advising Day, usually a single day for you to ask questions or meet with your Educational Planner before registering for next quarter, is coming up soon. This quarter, Advising Day is going to look a little different.

Introducing: Virtual Advising Week, May 12 – May 19

During Virtual Advising Week, you can “walk-in” to a 15-20 minute virtual meeting with a member of the educational planning team. During the session, an Educational Planner will answer your questions and assist you with Summer and Fall Quarter registration.

If you're a current SPSCC student completing your degree in June 2020, then you are encouraged to apply to be the student graduation speaker at the 2020 virtual commencement ceremony. 

To apply, complete the Student Graduation Speaker Application by Wednesday, May 6, at 5 p.m.

Students will be contacted to schedule an audition time before a committee by May 8. You will need to have a 2-3 minute speech prepared to share with the committee.

SPSCC has received $2.6 million in federal funding in response to COVID-19. The funding comes from the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, which was passed by Congress on March 27.

Nearly $1.5 million of the funding awarded to SPSCC will be used for student emergency aid, such as technology, tuition support, food, housing, health care, child care, and other basic needs. The remaining funds will be used on college coronavirus-related expenses, including technology costs associated with SPSCC’s transition to increased distance education.

Aritcle via The Olympian

South Puget Sound Community College and The Evergreen State College will celebrate spring commencement virtually this June.

Nearly 1,500 SPSCC graduates will be honored at its virtual event at 10 a.m. June 20, as well as on a special new graduation website.