District Workforce Development Newsletter - April 2025
This April, discover key updates across Seattle Colleges! We cover strategic planning from the Workforce Retreat, Dean insights from the ACTE Conference, and the launch of new banners promoting our 13 BAS programs. Read about community engagement, including leadership at the Alliance for Education Gala, participation in the Limitless Network Convening, and an inspiring Seattle Maritime Academy field trip for middle school students. Also inside: details on the upcoming open Navigator Meeting (May 28), Handshake & Headshots resources, and an engaging Faculty Spotlight featuring Zoey Liedholm from Apparel Design & Development.
Trivia & Entertainment
April 2025 Trivia Challenge
Get engaged and win big! Explore this month's newsletter and test your knowledge with our April 2025 Trivia Challenge. A $25 Amazon gift card awaits the winner, so put on your thinking cap and start reading! Follow this link to view the April 2025 Trivia Challenge...
Congratulations to our March 2025 Trivia Winner! Bucky McKenzie, Director of Student Outreach for the Admissions & Outreach Department at Seattle Central College.
Strengthening Student Career Pathways: Deans Attend Key Work Based Learning (WBL) Conference.
In a strategic initiative coordinated by the District Workforce Development Office, several Seattle Colleges Workforce Deans recently attended the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Work-Based Learning Conference (April 2-4) in Bellevue to deepen expertise in this vital area of student career preparation.
In a strategic initiative coordinated by the District Workforce Development Office, several Seattle Colleges Workforce Deans recently attended the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Work-Based Learning (WBL) Conference (April 2-4) in Bellevue to deepen expertise in this vital area of student career preparation. This coordinated participation ensured that leadership across the district gained exposure to the latest trends and best practices in connecting education with real-world work experiences.
Held locally at the Hyatt Bellevue, the conference is recognized as ACTE's fastest-growing event, bringing together WBL professionals from across the region and nation. The keynote address was delivered by Christopher R. Nesmith, Superintendent of Elma School District and recipient of a 2024 award for his innovative work in career pathways, setting the stage for insightful discussions.
The conference agenda covered critical topics directly relevant to Seattle Colleges' mission, including strategies for building strong industry partnerships, expanding equitable access to WBL opportunities like internships and apprenticeships, navigating compliance and legal considerations, and exploring innovations in the field. Sessions focused on enhancing career pathways and effectively advocating for WBL program growth.
By attending together, the Workforce Deans had the opportunity to collectively engage with this crucial content, share insights, and align on strategies for strengthening WBL initiatives district wide. This shared professional development experience fosters collaboration and supports a unified approach to providing students with meaningful, career-relevant learning opportunities that connect directly to industry needs and employment pathways. The knowledge gained will help inform continuous improvement efforts district-wide.
Seattle Shines: Alliance for Education Gala Highlights Partnership, Equity, and 30 Years of Impact
On April 26, the Alliance of Education Gala lit up Seattle with an inspiring evening celebrating the power of education and community partnerships. Held in support of equitable access to quality learning for all students, the event brought together educators, civic leaders, and advocates dedicated to advancing educational excellence across the region. The gala highlighted transformative programs, honored outstanding contributors, and reaffirmed the collective commitment to ensuring every student in Seattle has the opportunity to thrive—from early learning through college and career.
This year's event, the Pearl Gala, held at the Grand Hyatt Seattle, marked a significant milestone: the 30th anniversary of the Alliance for Education's steadfast partnership with Seattle Public Schools (SPS). The "Pearl" theme beautifully symbolized Seattle's schools as precious community gems, nurtured over decades by layers of support, care, and investment, reflecting resilience and shared commitment. The joyful evening celebrated three decades of achievement while looking ahead and raising crucial funds to advance the Alliance's mission of promoting racial equity and educational justice for SPS students.
Since 1995, the Alliance for Education has served as the independent, local education fund uniquely positioned to support all schools within SPS, Washington state's largest K-12 system. Focused on addressing systemic inequities and advancing educational justice, the Alliance convenes local leaders, philanthropic funders, the district, and the broader community to create innovative programs. Over its history, the Alliance has impressively raised and invested nearly $200 million into Seattle Public Schools, playing a critical role in bolstering public education.
The Gala underscored the broad base of community investment in Seattle's K-12 system, evident through sponsors like Amazon, the Gates Foundation, Alaska Airlines, Microsoft, Providence Swedish, the Seattle Department of Education & Early Learning (DEEL), and SPS itself, along with Gala Chairs Dr. Constance Rice and Jon & The Hon. Bobbe Bridge. For Seattle Colleges, strong K-12 schools supported by robust community partnerships like the Alliance are essential. They cultivate the prepared, engaged students who become part of our college community, and the shared commitment to equity and opportunity aligns perfectly with our own district's values and goals.
The success of the Pearl Gala serves as a powerful reminder of the positive impact achieved when the community comes together to support educational excellence and equity for every student, building a stronger foundation for their journeys into higher education and beyond.
College Navigators Meeting on May 28
Hosted by Seattle Colleges' JobLink College Navigators, the upcoming quarterly Navigator Meeting on Tuesday, May 28th, via Zoom offers a key opportunity for staff and Community-Based Organization (CBO) partners to network, learn about vital programs, and collaborate on providing wraparound support for students. This recurring meeting, typically held once per quarter, continues a tradition aimed at synchronizing efforts across the district and partner organizations. To receive the Zoom link for the May 28th meeting, please contact JobLink College Navigators Galila Getahun or Jessica Alba
The meeting generally features three speakers, either from Seattle Colleges departments or partner CBOs, who share information about their programs, updates, enrollment details, and how they work with students and navigators. Each speaker presents for about 20-25 minutes, followed by Q&A. Topics are often strategically chosen based on the time of year; for instance, spring meetings might feature Career Services to support graduating students, while fall sessions often include the Foundation to discuss scholarships. While speakers for May 28th are still being confirmed closer to the date, potential topics discussed include Seattle Promise and Career Exploration resources.
Attendees consistently find value in learning about program updates – especially from areas like Financial Aid – and discovering resources offered by community partners. Past meetings have featured organizations like Dress for Success, leading to tangible benefits for students such as connections to interview preparation, professional attire, potential job placement support, and even laptops. As Galila Getahun noted, the goal is "learning about the programs and resources so we are well equipped to help our students," fostering a sense of "community building" for providing wraparound support.
This valuable meeting is organized by College Navigators Galila Getahun and Jessica Alba through the JobLink program, a partnership between Seattle Colleges and the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) supporting SHA residents with their education and employment goals since approximately 2017-18. These quarterly convenings help the Navigators and other student-facing staff stay "resourceful" by sharing updated information and maintaining connections across the complex support network available to students. Invitations are typically sent as calendar placeholders and updated once speakers are confirmed; student-facing staff (advisors, specialists, etc.) and relevant CBOs are the primary audience.
This session offers insights beneficial not only to Seattle Colleges staff and community partners but also to any members of the public interested in learning more about student support resources and educational pathways in our region. The Navigator Meeting is open to all who wish to attend. To receive the Zoom link for the May 28th meeting, please contact JobLink College Navigators Galila Getahun or Jessica Alba to be added to the invitation list.
Driving Equity & Access: Seattle Colleges Joins Statewide Effort on Postsecondary Pathways
Under the theme "Collaborating for Change", leaders from Seattle Colleges' Workforce Development, Seattle Promise and Seattle Public Schools teams engaged with partners from across Washington this week at the Limitless Learning Network Convening, aiming to strengthen pathways to postsecondary opportunities.
Representing Seattle Colleges on April 22-23, key leaders including Dr. Dalia Sherif (Senior Executive Director, District Workforce Development), Rachel Andre (Director, Workforce Development), Francisco Ramos (Assistant Director of Outreach, Seattle Promise), Caroline O'Connell (High School Initiatives Manager, Workforce Development), and Kat York, (Project/Program Coordinator, Career and Technical Education), actively participated in the Limitless Learning Network's statewide convening in Seattle. Held at the Gates Foundation offices, this crucial gathering focuses on collaborative strategies to increase postsecondary enrollment rates across Washington, particularly for Black, Latina/o, and Native students, and students from low-income and rural communities.
The Limitless Learning Network, initially launched with a $4M investment from the Gates Foundation and now managed by Education Northwest, brings together 26 diverse local partnerships from 21 counties across the state. This includes K-12 districts (reaching over a quarter of all WA high schoolers), higher education institutions like Seattle Colleges, Educational Service Districts, and community-based organizations. The network's core mission is to tackle systemic barriers and improve the often-fragmented transition students face between high school and college or career training.
Themed "Collaborating for Change: Partnering to Increase Postsecondary Opportunities," this convening provides a vital space for these partners. Participants deepened relationships, shared effective practices, learnt from students and local leaders, and accelerated progress on key topics like building partnership capacity, leveraging data effectively, and implementing strategies proven to increase enrollment for priority student populations. The network fosters innovation by providing flexible funding and dedicated time for collaboration.
Seattle Colleges' active participation in the Limitless Learning Network, alongside colleagues like Kat York from partner Seattle Public Schools, directly aligns with our district's mission and values surrounding equity, access, and student success. Insights gained from this statewide collaboration on strengthening pathways, improving data use, and supporting underserved students will directly inform and enhance ongoing initiatives like Seattle Promise, high school outreach programs, and broader workforce development strategies, ultimately benefiting the students and communities we serve.
North Seattle College
- When: Tuesday, May 13, 2025. from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Where: "The Grove" and Courtyard.
Seattle Central College
- When: Wednesday, May 7, 2025. from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Where: The Atrium.
South Seattle College
- When: Tuesday, May 20, 2025. from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Where: Jerry M. Brockey Center, Room 140.
Handshake & Headshots is an opportunity for students to get a free professional headshot, learn from in-house experts about Handshake (our job & internship tool), and to network with employers from our community! This is not a formal job fair, but instead designed to be an informal, fun way to connect our students with local professionals reflecting a variety of careers. Our goals are to help students gain networking and business conversation skills, as well as get answers to career path questions.
Setting the Course: Workforce Retreat Finalizes Plans, Welcomes New Chapter
The Workforce Retreat at the Maritime Academy brought together the Continuing Education, Corporate Training, and Workforce Development teams for a productive and energizing session. During the retreat, the team finalized the operational plan, established clear KPIs, and assigned leads and volunteers to key activities that will drive our work forward in light of both emerging opportunities and ongoing challenges. With a strong sense of collaboration and alignment, we now move ahead as a fully staffed and unified team.
We also took time to honor the retirements of Judy Reed and Bob Embrey, whose dedication and leadership have shaped our programs and people in lasting ways. At the same time, we are excited to welcome new team members Dawn Vinberg and Mike Nielsen, whose skills and perspectives will help propel us into our next chapter. This retreat also served as a pilot to highlight the Maritime Academy as a premier retreat center for corporate training—an important step toward creating a sustainable new income stream and showcasing the potential of this unique and inspiring site.
Faculty Spotlight
Weaving Passion and Experience: A Spotlight on Zoey Liedholm, instructor at Seattle Central College’ Apparel Design Development Program
From theatre stages to design roles at Tommy Bahama to the familiar halls of Seattle Central College, Zoey Liedholm's career path has been uniquely woven. Now, as both faculty and an alumna of the Apparel Design & Development program, she shares her diverse experience and deep passion for teaching with the next generation of designers.
For Zoey Liedholm, faculty member in Seattle Central College’s Apparel Design & Development (ADD) program, the journey to the classroom has been as intricately woven as the fabrics she teaches students to master. An alumna of the very program she now teaches in, Liedholm brings a rich tapestry of experience—from theatre arts to high-end menswear design—and a deep passion for guiding the next generation.
Her path began unexpectedly. With an undergrad degree in Theatre Arts from the University of North Texas, Liedholm initially moved to Seattle pursuing acting but found more demand for her costuming skills. "I was working on a show in the early 2000s when one of the actors asked if I had ever made a wedding dress before," she recalls. After creating three bespoke gowns, she realized a new passion: "It was like costume design, only much more specific and elaborate." Knowing she needed to deepen her skills, she researched local programs and found Seattle Central’s ADD program "seemed like a great fit."
"The whole point of my being here is to ensure my students understand the concepts and how-to’s of what I’m teaching, and if they don’t then I’m not doing my job. I only succeed when they succeed."
As a student, Liedholm "really loved" her time, even with the program's demanding, detail-oriented nature. "It was a chance to spend two years focused on something I genuinely enjoyed and I found it to be so much fun despite the challenges," she says. While her initial goal was custom bridal, she was "pleasantly surprised that the program covered multiple aspects of the apparel industry," allowing her to "easily pivot into ready-to-wear with the knowledge I gained at SCC." Graduating alongside current program lead Scott Moy—a "good friend" then and now—her eventual return to teach was sparked when an interview invitation "brought back those warm and happy feelings and memories" and seemed like a "fantastic opportunity to be a part of it from the other side." Working with Moy again? "It's great... working together is a blast."
Liedholm’s diverse career, including roles as a Menswear Designer for Tommy Bahama and a Freelance Technical Designer for Costco and others, directly informs her teaching. "I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to experience many different facets of the apparel design industry," she notes, crediting SCC for teaching not just construction, but "how apparel manufacturing works on a global scale." She explains how her education made her industry-ready, applying fitting knowledge and creating tech packs right out of school. Now, she emulates her former instructors "by explaining to my students how what I’m teaching translates to real-world encounters" and offering practical advice, like the importance of networking: "Don't burn any bridges... a lot of opportunities came my way because someone I had worked with in the past sought me out (including my job at SCC!)."
"To be able to witness that type of skill progression is thrilling... Watching a person come into their own is exciting; I’m so proud of these students."
Her teaching philosophy centers on shared success and open communication. "I really believe in open communication and asking lots of questions... I only succeed when they succeed," Liedholm states emphatically. She encourages students to seek help with everything from techniques to time management and keeps classes engaging with humor and "wiggle breaks." She embraces the challenge of live sewing demos—a process she calls "kind of terrifying and hilarious"—relying on her "inner performer" and even using occasional mistakes as teaching moments. "It’s validating when a student thanks me for making a mistake – it’s reassuring to them to see they can happen to anyone."
What truly fuels her passion is "seeing the progression of ideas and concepts as a student’s abilities increase." She finds it "thrilling" to witness students evolve from learning industrial machines to designing complex projects and ultimately producing multi-garment final lines. "Knowing how far so many of these students have come in just a few short years definitely makes me proud," she shares, "as does knowing the incredible obstacles some had to overcome to finish... It’s brilliant to see them able to express themselves through clothing and design, especially when you realize that some of them had never used a sewing machine before coming to SCC." Beyond technique, she instills values of work ethic, professionalism, and kindness, reminding students, "we usually remember how they made us feel... It doesn’t cost anything to be kind."
"It’s easy to think of us as a sort of glorified Home Ec situation, but we’re really an in-depth technical program... a solid, well-rounded program and the only one like it in the PNW."
Looking ahead, Liedholm is excited by industry shifts toward sustainability and inclusivity, seeing students as key drivers of change. But her most powerful message is reserved for her Seattle Colleges colleagues, aiming to "shed a little light on our little corner of Central." She passionately counters any misconception of the program as a "glorified Home Ec situation," emphasizing its nature as an "in-depth technical program that goes way beyond sewing." She details its interdisciplinary rigor—integrating math, science, technology, psychology, and sociology—and highlights the transferable skills applicable to various soft goods industries. "It’s a solid, well-rounded program and we’re the only one like it in the PNW," she affirms. "It’s been here for decades. I hope it stays for decades more."
Hands-On at the Helm: Seattle Maritime Academy Field Trip Inspires Future Mariners
Thanks to a collaborative effort between the Seattle Colleges District Workforce Development Office, Seattle Public Schools, and Seattle Maritime Academy, 50 Mercer Middle School students experienced the excitement of maritime careers firsthand during a special Discover Seattle Colleges 2025 field trip.
Spearheaded by Seattle Maritime Academy (SMA) Student Recruiter Robin Mueller (they/them), the April 3rd visit was a testament to careful planning and collaboration with a team that included Caroline O’Connell (Seattle Colleges District Workforce Development Office) and Kathlyn York (Seattle Public Schools), aiming to connect young learners with the region’s vital maritime industry—a sector employing over 20,000 people locally with key partners like Washington State Ferries. Mueller orchestrated a seamless experience, starting with a vital orientation for the volunteers, interns, faculty, and staff chaperones, ensuring smooth transitions as students explored the Academy.
Divided into small groups, the 50 students rotated through four distinct stations, immersing themselves in hands-on learning that mirrors SMA's educational philosophy. They experienced the thrill of commanding a virtual Coast Guard cutter in the advanced navigation simulator, guided by Associate Dean Cmdr. (Ret.) Dale Bateman and Captain Kelly Greenwood. In the Diesel Lab, Port Engineer Danny Blanchard used an engaging Lego barge contest to teach core concepts of buoyancy and stability, fundamental principles for future mariners.
Students also dove into navigation fundamentals with Captain Robert Reeder, handling charts and tools, and toured the USAV Vulcan, a retired machine shop barge, now serving as a unique floating classroom. Onboard the Vulcan, Chief Engineer Darel Jenkins shared insights into vessel operations and life at sea, outlining the diverse career paths available through SMA's renowned one-year certificate programs in Marine Deck and Marine Engineering Technology.
The staff and faculty members who led the activities highlighted the high demand for graduates—bolstered by an impressive 90% program graduation rate and fueled by current workforce retirements—meaning students often step directly into maritime careers after completing their hands-on, USCG-approved training.
This immersive Discover Seattle Colleges event successfully launched students on a journey of discovery. They learned directly from dedicated, USCG-approved faculty and staff who bring extensive professional maritime experience, reflecting the Chancellor Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap's praise for those who "shared your passion and stories... guided, inspired, and displayed the best of who we are." By connecting middle schoolers with tangible experiences and clear pathways to high-demand careers where SMA also offers ongoing professional development, this visit helped many set a clear course toward exciting educational and career horizons.
