Points of Pride: Spring 2026

Interesting, inspiring, and noteworthy things happen across Seattle Colleges every day. We’ve compiled another edition of some (but definitely not all) of these stories. Add these to our growing list of points of pride.

One cake, a $5,000 prize, and a South Seattle College student who almost never picked up a whisk

Foziya Robale didn't plan to be a baker. She didn't even plan to be in the Culinary and Pastry Arts program at South Seattle College. But when a missed deadline closed one door, she walked through another and found herself standing in front of a panel of some of Seattle's top pastry chefs. Foziya won them over with her coffee ceremony chocolate cake, inspired by Ethiopian tradition, and took home the top prize in a baking competition sponsored by King Arthur Baking Company. Read more about Foziya Robale's experience.

Portshowlio 2026

The graduating students of Seattle Central Creative Academy host an annual portfolio show, Portshowlio, featuring their works and projects. It's a chance to celebrate and showcase their work with friends, family, and the Seattle creative community. Students design, install, and promote each year’s show. While this year's show was open to the public at the Broadway Edison Building June 17 and 18, you can meet the students and view their work on the Portshowlio website. There's no question these grads will be contributing their perspectives to the Seattle creative scene in the future.

• Meet this year's graduates showcasing their work
• View their works

International Business Case Competition showcases student strategy, grit, and teamwork

Entrepreneurial thinking and real-world problem-solving were on full display at North Seattle College’s Second Annual International Business Case Competition, held on May 2. The event brought together 31 students from North Seattle, South Seattle, and Seattle Central colleges for a high-energy day focused on strategy, collaboration, and innovation.

Reflecting on the experience, first-place team member Ivy Vo said that beyond the win, she is leaving with new knowledge and meaningful connections made throughout the process. Learn more and view the names of the members of all the winning teams.

Jamie Lee joins Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees

Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Jamie Lee to the Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees in March as Trustee Teresita Batayola completed her second five-year term and left the board.

Jamie Lee is the co-executive director at the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda). With nearly 20 years of experience in the non-profit and public sector, she has worked at SCIDpda since 2014. There, she oversees external partnerships, real estate development, human resources, finance, fundraising, small business assistance, public space design, and neighborhood safety.

In addition to serving on the Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees, Lee is currently the board chair of the Crescent Collaboratives and International District Emergency Center, and serves on the Seattle University Youth Initiative Advisory Committee, the Race and Social Equity Taskforce, and is a School of Social Work practicum instructor.

In 2021, she received the Friend of Housing Community Crisis Response Award for her work supporting residents and small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She holds a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington.

Graduates thank faculty and staff

As we prepare for commencement every year, we are reminded of the impact each of us can have on students. Seattle Central continued its tradition of inviting graduates to write a letter to a faculty or staff member who had a profound effect on their experience and then thank them personally on camera. This year's video features Diara and Chris, Ryan and Rowan, and Adebayo and Bryan.

Watch Seattle Central's video Thank you faculty and staff: Graduation 2026 on YouTube.

Celebrating Seattle Colleges’ Class of 2026

Each year we say commencement is our favorite event, and each year we remember why when we attend the ceremonies that bring our three colleges together for our biggest celebration. We are reminded of the talent, accomplishments, and persistence of every name read as they cross that stage. That is evident throughout the ceremonies—all the way from the songs and music performed at the beginning to the graduate speakers who epitomize those qualities. Watch the student speakers’ addresses below (followed by links to videos of the ceremonies, courtesy of SCCtv).

Graduating student speaker Keenen Allen Ladd, North Seattle College

Graduating student speaker Olando Ngoh, Seattle Central College

Graduating student speaker Danna Karime Gamboa Méndez, South Seattle College

• Seattle Colleges Commencement 2026 - 1 p.m. ceremony
• Seattle Colleges Commencement 2026 - 6 p.m. ceremony
   

Published Thursday, July 9, 2026