SPSCC Soundwaves, Spring 2021

SOUTH

PUGET

SOUND

COMMUNITY

COLLEGE

SPRING QUARTER 2021

THE BIG DEAL about Running Start

THE BIG DEAL ON THE COVER

Running Start is a statewide program that allows high school juniors and seniors to attend community college tuition-free, earn college credits, and transfer to most four-year colleges and universities in Washington.

“It seemed like an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up,” Dante said of the program. He graduated from SPSCC and transferred to The Evergreen State College in 2020, where he’s currently focusing on completing his bachelor’s degree.

The program gives students—and their families—a chance to start the journey to a four-year experience debt-free. For high school juniors and seniors in Washington State, earning an associate degree at the same time as their high school diploma and transferring to a university as a junior saves at least $8,000.

Eros is now in his second year of the program and sees lots of advantages to taking college courses over high school classes.

Running Start Benefits Students and Families Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson and her two sons Dante and Eros Faulk are a family that have reaped the benefits of the Running Start program. Eros is currently enrolled as a Running Start student, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Dante.

“I like that I can make my own schedule, I have more classes to choose from, and there’s a focus on learning and student responsibility,” he said. When he graduates from SPSCC, Eros also plans to enroll at The Evergreen State College to continue his education.

Besides the cost savings benefits of Running Start, their mother Jasmin sees the program as a great way to introduce some freedom while having a support system still in place. As a multicultural immigrant who is passionate about intergenerational

Faulk-Dickerson family at Dante's 2020 graduation

"Running Start feels like a really beautiful link between the two worlds of childhood and adulthood."

- Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson, parent

2

SOUNDWAVES

Scan with your camera to hear more from Thea, Dante, Eros & Jasmin

>

family living, Jasmin feels the program offers an opportunity to mirror those values to her children through education.

“Running Start feels like a really beautiful link between the two worlds of childhood and adulthood. You’re nurturing them, but also pushing them,” Jasmin said.

Flexibility and Cost Like Dante and Eros, Alyssa Montgomery decided to enroll at SPSCC through Running Start because she liked the idea of choosing her own schedule. Alyssa started at SPSCC in the fall of 2019, and even before everyone was taking online classes due to the pandemic, Alyssa decided doing her coursework completely online would give her maximum flexibility.

“I wasn’t a huge fan of the traditional high school experience and I liked that I could do everything online.”

Alyssa said she’s known she would enroll in Running Start since her mom talked to her about the program when she was in sixth grade. Besides the flexibility, getting the first two years of college completed tuition-free was something she couldn’t pass up.

“Saving a lot of money was a huge selling point for me,” Alyssa said.

After she graduates this June, Alyssa plans to transfer to Centralia College to study elementary education and earn a fouryear degree.

Independence and New Experiences Thea Deanon (featured on the cover) decided to enroll in Running Start after she was inspired watching her older brother go through the program.

“I thought it was a cool experience and it saved a lot of money.

I thought it would be a lot of fun,” Thea said.

Independence is important to Thea. Running Start gives her that while also presenting her with opportunities to grow. One way she’s growing is through being active in student leadership at SPSCC. Thea is part of the Campus Activities Board, a group of students that plan Student Life events.

Thea will graduate in June 2021 and plans to transfer to a fouryear institution where she’ll major in psychology. She wants to become a therapist one day, and mental health is something she advocates for. Having support like SPSCC’s Counseling Services is something she’s grateful to have access to.

“The support at SPSCC compared to high school is different.

Counseling Services encompasses more of your life outside of school, not just academics.” ■

FACTS ABOUT RUNNING START SAVE $8,000+ (AND 2 YEARS) TOWARD A BACHELOR'S DEGREE. SPSCC SERVES OVER 1,300 STUDENTS FROM 28 HIGH SCHOOLS. ENROLLMENT AT SPSCC HAS GONE UP 30% IN THE PAST 5 YEARS. OVER 370 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL CLASSES THIS YEAR. IN 2020, 21% OF STUDENTS QUALIFIED FOR A FEE WAIVER AND BOOK LOAN. Join an upcoming online information session. spscc.edu/RunningStart

Spring 2021

■

spscc.edu

3

PATHWAYS

spscc.edu/areas

Pathways allow you to take classes related to your interests, earn your degree faster, and graduate. ● Certificate ● **AAS: Associate in Applied Science ● *AA: Associate in Arts (transfer degree) *AS: Associate in Science (transfer degree)

Arts & Communications Art ● Communication Studies ● Drama ● English ● Film ● Music ● Philosophy ●

Automotive, Welding & Manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing ● ● Automotive Technology ● ● Welding Technology ● ●

Business, Finance & Office Administration

Accounting ● ● Business ● Business Administration ● ● Economics ● Entrepreneurship ● Office Technology & Administration ● ●

Cultural Studies

Anthropology ● History ● Humanities ● International/Intercultural Studies ● Languages ●

Food, Beverage Arts & Hospitality Baking & Pastry Arts ● Craft Brewing & Distilling ● Culinary Arts ● ●

Government, Public & Non-Profit Administration Criminal Justice ● pre-Law ● Paralegal ● ● Political Science ●

Pathways, degrees, and certificates are subject to change.

Healthcare

Allied Health ● ● ● Dental Assisting ● ● Medical Assisting ● Medical Coding & Billing ● pre-Medicine ● Naturopathic Medicine ● Nursing ● ● Nutrition ● Physical Therapy ● pre-Veterinary Medicine ●

Information Technology

Architecture, Engineering & Construction Technology ● ● ● Computer Science ● Cybersecurity & Network Administration ● Information Systems ● Information Technology Computer Support ● ● Software Development ●

Science, Engineering & Math Astronomy ● Biology ● Botany ● Chemistry ● Earth Science ● Engineering ● Environmental Science ● Geology ● Math ● Oceanography ● Physics ●

Social Services & Education Early Childhood Education ● ● ● Education ● Parent Education ● Psychology ● Sociology ● Social Work ●

Pre-College & ESL Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), High School Completion (High School+, GED®), I-BEST

South Puget Sound Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance inquiries: Executive Human Resources Officer, 2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia, WA, 98512, 360-596-5361. SPSCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access Services Office at 360-596-5306.

4

SOUNDWAVES

FEATURED CAREER PATHWAY

ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTING A decade ago, Richard Summers was a remodeling contractor, a job he loved for the challenges it presented. But despite being happy with his work, he knew he wanted to further his education.

In 2010, Richard decided to go back to school and, since he’d served five years in the Navy, he used his veteran’s GI Bill® to enroll in SPSCC’s Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Technology (AEC) program, part of the Information Technology Pathway.

gree program. He came back to the AEC program in 2019 and graduated with an Associate in Applied Science in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Technology in June 2020.

Although he learned a lot during his time in the program, Richard eventually ran out of GI money before he could complete his studies and had no choice but to take a break—one that ended up being a lot longer than he’d planned. After an accident left him in a wheelchair, Richard was no longer able to do the remodeling work he enjoyed. He knew he needed to shift his focus back to his education if he wanted to continue his career in the construction field.

Within a couple of months of graduating, Richard was hired as a drafter at LJB Designs in Olympia.

His veteran status allowed him to get rehabilitation from his accident and it also helped him get more money to finish his de-

“I had a strong construction background, but the program built on those skills and helped me find a job,” Richard said.

His work in drafting programs Revit and CAD has renewed a spark in Richard because he sees a lot of parallels between drafting and remodeling work.

“I like the artistic aspect of being able to work with my hands,” Richard said. “Every day is a little different. Drafting allows me to use my previous construction knowledge and technical skills learned through the AEC program to help people design their dreams.” ■

median salaries ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTERS

$44,570 CIVIL ENGINEER TECHNICIAN

$64,610 URBAN PLANNERS

$78,874 Source - Career Coach by Emsi: spscc.edu/careercoach

Spring 2021

■

spscc.edu

5

STEPS TO ENROLL 1

2

APPLY

Submit an admissions application online for free.

spscc.edu/start/steps

SET UP EMAIL & PORTAL

Activate your student email and open your mySPSCC portal.

4 GET PLACED

5

Take a Guided Self Placement for English and math or submit test scores or transcripts to get placed in the correct classes.

3 PLAN TO PAY Fill out the FAFSA or WASFA to apply for financial aid (grants and loans) and learn about funding and payment options.

GET REGISTERED

Complete the Pathway Selection Survey (PSS) and New Student Advising & Registration (NSAR) to learn about resources, meet advisors, and pick your Pathway and classes.

APPLY NOW FOR SPRING QUARTER! Starts April 12 | Virtual, Online & Hybrid Formats Complete the FAFSA or WASFA ASAP Tuition & Fees Due March 23

JOIN AN OPEN HOUSE ON ZOOM spscc.edu/vohw Building Foundations: High School Families Feb. 23-26 Virtual Open House Week March 9-13

APPLY BY MARCH 29

PAYING FOR COLLEGE

spscc.edu/pay-for-college

COMPLETE THE FAFSA OR WASFA The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) helps you determine what financial awards, grants, and loans you can receive. Do this important step first, and include SPSCC’s school code: 005372.

Get started at fafsa.gov.

Washington State offers financial aid programs to students who aren’t eligible for federal financial aid, sometimes because of immigration status.

Complete the WASFA at readysetgrad.wa.gov/wasfa.

Technology Fee:

2020-21 TUITION

ABE, Parent Coop, ESL, GED® $10.00 per quarter

Number of Credits

Washington Resident

Non-Washington Resident, US Citizen

Non-Resident, International

1

$113.04

$128

$291.28

5

$565.20

$640

$1,456.40

12

$1,242.28

$1,393.48

$3,039.24

15

$1,410.10

$1,563.70

$3,228.90

6

SOUNDWAVES

All Other Students $40.00/quarter (1-9 credits) $50.00/quarter (10+ credits and Running Start students) Student Building Fee: All students $6.00 per credit (all credits)

Matriculation Fee: All students $20.00 per quarter Course Fees: Listed in class schedule if required.

Associated Student Programs Fee: Running Start students $5.00 per credit (up to $50 max.)

STAYING ON TOP OF THE GAME Jason Montes-Padilla started at SPSCC in fall of 2020 on a scholarship to play basketball. And just like all student-athletes, he's eager to get started with his teammates once it's safe to play college sports again.

management, and discipline. To stay sharp, Jason works out twice a day, six days a week and rests on Sunday. Jason sees staying dedicated to his academic and athletic commitments as a way to keep pushing toward his future plans to transfer to a four-year university and earn a bachelor in science in exercise science.

Although the Clippers haven’t been able to meet in person as a team, they keep in contact through Zoom meetings and texts.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Jason moved to Delta Junction, Alaska, seven years ago How to Stay Game-Ready when his dad transferred there with the During COVID military. But despite the distance to SPSCC, • Work out for an hour daily Jason and head coach Jonathan Willis are • Eat a diet of clean, whole foods always texting and are quickly building a • Work on building mental focus strong player-coach relationship.

“Jason has a hunger for excellence and a thirst to execute at a high level. His attention to detail in the classroom and the way he serves his community are precisely the type of character we strive for in all of our young men,” Willis said.

Even with support from his coach, balancing a full-time schedule with online classes requires a lot of self motivation, time

Encouragement from Coach Willis helped Jason check into SPSCC’s Black Scholars program. Jason also credits personal growth from the relationship he’s formed with Educational & Career Planner Joe Aguilar, who Jason says has become his mentor. “We have conversations about everything from things going on in the world to playing basketball on scholarship,” Jason said.

Between Aguilar and Coach Willis, Jason said he’s gotten a lot of direction on what scholarships are available to him through SPSCC. “SPSCC helped a lot with that. They have so much aid and they’re doing a really good job sharing about it.” ■

Become a Clipper We're looking for student-athletes who want to grow in their sport and academics. spsccathletics.com.

CLIPPERS

“It’s about making sure that every hour of the day I’m doing something to better my future."

Join Black Scholars The Black Scholars Program helps Black and African American students get through college and graduate by offering mentorship, community, and support services tailored to unique needs around racial identity. spscc.edu/deic.

Jason Montes-Padilla

Spring 2021

■

spscc.edu

7

2011 Mottman Rd. SW Olympia, WA 98512

Follow us on Social Media

PARENT EDUCATION

Supporting families in our community through in-person, hybrid, and online parenting classes.

Parent-Child Weekly Classes Eastside Co-op Preschool Capitol Forest Cooperative Preschool Steamboat Island Co-op Preschool Westside Cooperative Preschool

Imagining What You Can Cook Up This Year

Goals Amplified

Register Now for Spring spscc.edu/parent-ed