Letter From the President

If I have learned anything in the past three years it is that we are not able to predict what lies ahead. The pandemic, the economy, and geo-political events cause Cascadia to be in continual flux as we respond to new realities. While such change can often be challenging, I am encouraged that the evolving environment around us and on campus will enable us to better serve our students in pursuit of their educational goals.

1. Our implementation of “Guided Pathways,” a new national paradigm for supporting students from their first encounter with the college all the way through to their goal completion. This involves adding a Student Management System and a public website redesign among other significant steps;
2. The launch of “Cascadia Scholars” by the Office of Equity & Inclusion, a program designed to mentor and better support historically marginalized and under-served student populations;
3. Our STEM 4 building, a facility shared equally by Cascadia and UW Bothell which will be ready for students in the 2022-23 academic year;
4. Our satellite classroom in downtown Redmond, designed to make high-demand courses accessible to students on the south side of our service area beginning 2023;
5. Two new degrees that will debut in Fall of 2023: Computer Technology and American Indian & Indigenous Studies;
6. A newly developed Foundation Board that is highly engaged in and committed to generating new resources for the College and its students – including all of the items above. Together, we are developing a stronger, more strategic partnership that exemplifies our shared objectives: to expand access to higher education and support student success.

This work requires the time and expertise of employees in every area of the organization. In such a fast-paced and demanding environment, it is especially important to pause and celebrate some of the accomplishments in our community. That is the purpose of this publication.

I hope that the student and employee stories inspire you to pursue your own goals. Whether you are a prospective student, a current student, a parent, an educational partner, a small business owner or an industry employer, Cascadia exists to benefit you.