District Workforce Development Newsletter - July 2025

With over 140 pieces submitted, the gallery is filled with incredible student talent. Jurors have already awarded the following honors:

• Virginia Paquette Memorial Award: Laury Phillips
• Jurors’ Choice Award: Elizabeth Lannin
• Jurors’ Choice Award: Kate Weinberger

The show is an ongoing celebration, and all staff, faculty, and community members are encouraged to visit. Many pieces are for sale, providing a great opportunity to support local talent. Don’t forget to cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award by Friday, August 1!

Exhibition Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 12–2 p.m. & Tuesday/Wednesday evenings, 5–7 p.m. Stop by to get inspired! 

• Click here to view the CE Website.
• Click here to view a video of the Art Show Reception & Award Winners (featuring a snippet of a performance of Blake Cisneros' 1-2-3 Street Band).

As the Prius Prime rolled into the automotive lab at South Seattle College and came to a stop, it symbolized the fulfillment of a promise made after Dr. Dalia Sherif, Senior Executive Director of Workforce Development, reached out to the Washington State Auto Dealers Association (WSADA). This milestone is a direct result of the College's focus on program excellence, a vision continually championed by Dr. Monica Brown, President of South Seattle College, who inspires the pursuit of cutting-edge workforce education and training. The donated Prius Prime is the first of three training vehicles arriving from the Western Washington Toyota Dealers and WSADA to support this vision.

The immediate impact on students was clear. "Watching the students gather around the car and light up with excitement was a powerful reminder of why this work matters," Dr. Sherif reflected. Students echoed this sentiment, calling the donation “seriously a game-changer.” One student added, “Getting to actually work on a vehicle like this makes everything click.”

Brian Hebert, Technical Services, Training and Dispute Resolution Manager at Toyota North America, highlighted the vehicle's unique value. He noted the Prius Prime is an ideal learning tool, allowing students to train on internal combustion engines (ICE), complex hybrid systems, and the sub-battery systems that serve as a crucial bridge to understanding fully battery electric vehicles (BEVs), instantly bringing the program "into the current era."

This generous donation of modern technology is a cornerstone of the partnership, directly supporting South Seattle College’s new High Voltage Electric Vehicle (EV) course. In addition to the vehicles, Toyota is also providing crucial EV diagnostics instructional support, ensuring students are fully prepared for the future of the automotive industry. As one student put it simply, “Huge thanks to Toyota, this is next-level.”

Marking a significant milestone for 45 Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) students, the inaugural Alaska Airlines Mentorship Program concluded with a graduation celebration on June 25^th, celebrating a year of dedication, perseverance, and invaluable industry connection. Despite hurdles like winter storms and busy schedules, the commitment of both the students and the eight industry mentors from Alaska Airlines was truly inspiring. The celebration brought the cohort together, with one mentor even joining virtually from Alaska to honor the students' hard work.

Throughout the program, students gained more than just technical insight; they developed crucial professional skills. Career Specialist Willow Schooler, who coordinated the program, shared stories of student growth. One student, Daniel K., persisted in his outreach to connect with his mentor for job shadowing, an experience that "opened his eyes to some aspects of the industry." Another, Omar N., learned "the value of perseverance" and is now "more excited for the future." For many, the program reinforced the importance of communication and perseverance in their career journey.

The mentorship program also created several powerful "full-circle" moments. Several of the Alaska Airlines mentors themselves were graduates of South Seattle College's AMT program, now giving back to the next generation. This spirit was infectious, as one student mentee was inspired to set a new career goal: to one day bring his own skills full circle and teach aviation maintenance in the future.

With the first cohort's successful completion, the team is already looking ahead, with plans to re-apply for the grant that made the program possible in its first iteration, which was a result of a joint effort with Seattle Colleges Foundation. "Mentorship programs require a lot of coordination and communication," Willow reflected, noting the key lessons learned. "I am so proud of all of the mentees who committed to this... in addition to all that they are already doing," they shared. Quoting famed pilot Chuck Yeager, Willow added, "'The sky is not the limit, it is just the beginning,' and I hope that for the students who participated in this program, this is just the beginning, as they continue to soar towards new goals." 

As part of PNW Climate Week, Dr. Dalia Sherif participated in a powerful "Call to Action" panel discussion on July 17 focused on the essential role of workforce education in advancing equitable access to climate careers. The reception, held at the Northwest African American Museum, was a key event for the Coalition for Climate Careers (C3), a partnership of regional leaders including the Port of Seattle, King County, the City of Seattle, and the Workforce Development Council, dedicated to building a vibrant and inclusive green economy.

Hosted in collaboration with the King County Executive Climate Office and moderated by Michael Carter, the panel explored how community colleges—particularly Seattle Colleges—serve as vital on-ramps into the clean energy economy. Dr. Sherif proudly represented Seattle Colleges, highlighting the institution’s innovative efforts to embed climate literacy and green skills into technical programs, including green construction, clean aviation, and sustainable transportation.

The panel also featured influential voices from key partners, including Marisol Tapia Hopper of the Workforce Development Council (WDC); Roz Jenkins, NW Regional Director at Emerald Cities Collaborative; and Deb McGowan, Owner of Veritas Electric. Together, these leaders emphasized a shared commitment to ensuring that the clean energy transition is inclusive and community-driven. Following the dynamic discussion, the event underscored its collaborative spirit with interactive breakout sessions, where all attendees could share ideas and contribute to strengthening C3's mission.

Through high-level collaborations like the Coalition for Climate Careers, Seattle Colleges is not only developing a skilled workforce—we are helping to cultivate a movement toward a just, resilient, and sustainable future for our entire region.

Addressing the critical need to re-engage adult learners to meet Washington's educational attainment goals, the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)-led LEARN Community of Practice held its culminating in-person meeting on June 26 at the University of Washington, celebrating a year of shared learning and planning for future action. This initiative is crucial, as 47 percent of adults in Washington do not yet have a postsecondary credential, and closing this gap is essential to reaching the state's goal of 70 percent attainment.

Since August 2024, the Local Education Adult Resource Network (LEARN) has served as a vital hub, bringing together a community of practice via monthly virtual meetings. This community effort, shaped by higher education, workforce, community-based partners, and students, has focused on analyzing the current landscape and supporting regional efforts to serve adult learners, who often face unique barriers such as juggling work, parenting, and household priorities. The initiative also seeks to address significant disparities in college completion rates by race and ethnicity.

The June 26^th in-person gathering, graciously hosted by the UW Continuum College, marked a significant milestone, allowing partners to deepen relationships and reflect on a year of progress. The work of the LEARN community has been grounded in trust and shared leadership, with agendas directly informed by participant feedback. This final session celebrated the connections made and the best practices shared throughout the year.

This is just the beginning for this powerful statewide network. With momentum from a successful year, WSAC and its partners are committed to continuing the work of strengthening pathways, influencing policy, and ensuring that every adult learner in Washington has the opportunity to thrive. These efforts directly align with and inform Seattle Colleges' own work in providing accessible, equitable education to the diverse communities we serve. 

Event Agenda:

• 9:00 - 9:45 a.m.: Panel Discussion with Seattle Colleges Faculty.
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Lunch, Tabling or Tours (Tour 1: Focused on Agriculture and Culinary. Tour 2: Focused on Skilled Trades).
• 3:30 - 6:00 p.m.: Workforce Leadership & Faculty Partnership Invite at NW Wine Academy.

District Workforce visited King County Metro to tour its maintenance and operations facility and take a ride on its first fully electric bus. The visit spotlighted the agency’s progress toward a zero-emissions fleet and the critical role South Seattle College plays in preparing the skilled workforce needed to support that future.

Participants emphasized the importance of the Automotive, Diesel, and Heavy Equipment Technology program at South Seattle College, which trains the next generation of technicians to maintain and repair electric, hybrid, and diesel-powered transit vehicles. “What we saw today at King County Metro is not only innovation in action — it’s a direct example of the opportunities we’re building for students,” “Programs like the one at South Seattle College are key to preparing students for careers in clean transportation and advanced vehicle technologies.” 

At the Metro facility, WF toured advanced maintenance bays, electric charging stations, and diagnostic systems, all of which rely on well-trained technical professionals. The visit concluded with a ride on Metro’s first fully electric bus—a milestone in the county’s plan to transition to a zero-emissions fleet by 2035.

By connecting education with real-world innovation, this WF visit underscored how community partnerships between transit agencies and colleges are driving both workforce development and environmental progress.

Attending the WGU Partnership Dinner, where Seattle Colleges workforce connected with administrators and faculty in Seattle as well as both undergraduate and graduate students who shared inspiring stories of persistence and success. WGU continues to be a valued partner for Seattle Colleges, offering our students seamless transfer opportunities and the ability to continue their education in flexible, workforce-aligned programs. Our articulation agreement with WGU ensures that students can build on the foundation they’ve established with us and move confidently toward their academic and career goals. Events like this reaffirm the importance of strong partnerships that expand access, promote equity, and support lifelong learning.

Event Details:

• 4:15 - 4:59 p.m.: Check-in, light refreshments and tabling.
• 5:00 - 5:15 p.m.: Welcome and Seattle Central College President's Address.
• 5:15 - 6:45 p.m.: Breakout Rooms.
• 6:50 - 7:10 p.m.: Dinner buffet & Tabling.
• 7:15 - 7:45 p.m.: Alumni Panel.
• 7:45 - 8:00 p.m.: Dessert and Tabling.

South Seattle College's Culinary Arts program is now cooking with clean energy in a newly remodeled, state-of-the-art kitchen, a major project made possible by a significant grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce's Clean Energy Fund. This upgrade is a key part of a larger, multi-phase transformation focused on innovation, sustainability, and aligning our programs with evolving industry trends.

The need for this modernization was clear. "We asked ourselves, where are we going, and how can we attract students to our culinary arts program?” said Dean of Hospitality Brian Scheehser, noting the need to replace 30-year-old natural gas equipment and decarbonize the campus. A Building Electrification grant from the Department of Commerce was the catalyst, enabling the switch to high-tech, energy-efficient electric appliances like a new grill, griddle, fryer, and a high-temp dishwasher that sanitizes with hot water instead of chemicals.

This second phase of the culinary transformation introduces a new research and development kitchen, complete with a built-in recording studio. This innovative space, which accommodates 15 students, serves as a hands-on lab and a professional-grade filming studio for livestreaming classes and demos. It gives our students a competitive edge, allowing them to record their work for digital portfolios on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. As Dean Scheehser noted, “We realize what’s important to our students is technology and sustainability.”

This investment in modern, sustainable infrastructure is part of a much larger transformation of the culinary building, expected to be completed by 2026-2027. It's a powerful example of how strategic partnerships and a commitment to sustainability can directly enhance the student learning experience, ensuring our graduates are prepared with the skills and values needed to lead in the modern culinary world.