Points of Pride: Spring 2026
DRAFT
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.
National Institutional Excellence Award presented to Seattle Colleges for diversity efforts
Seattle Colleges received the 2026 Institutional Excellence Award (Two-Year Institution) from the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), a recognized leader in the national conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion in postsecondary education. The award was presented at the Association’s 19th annual conference, held earlier this spring in Chicago.
As one of NADOHE’s annual Inclusive Excellence Awards, the Institutional Excellence Award is presented to institutions that have demonstrated measurable progress in promoting and implementing innovative diversity efforts within their campus community.
Learn more about Seattle Colleges' NADOHE award.
One cake, a $5,000 prize, and a South Seattle College student who almost never picked up a whisk
Portshowlio 2026
Each year the graduating students of the Seattle Central Creative Academy host a portfolio show, featuring their portfolios and projects. It's a chance to celebrate and showcase their work with the Seattle creative community, friends, and family. 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 still 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.
International Business Case Competition showcases student strategy, grit, and teamwork
Headline accomplishments
- Faculty Awarded Tenure in 2025-26
- South Seattle College Earns National Recognition for Expanding TRIO-Informed Student Success Across Seattle
- Seattle Colleges Students Earn Awards at 2025 International Art and Literary Contests
Graduates thank faculty and staff
With each year's commencement, we are reminded of the impact each of us can have on students. Seattle Central continued its tradition of inviting graduates to surprise a faculty or staff member who had a profound effect on their experience with a thank you letter. This 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 so perfectly. 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