As part of our commitment to building a truly statewide movement for educational justice, Communities for Our Colleges (C4C) continues to organize actively in Spokane and across Eastern Washington. During the first week of December, we deepened ongoing relationships, expanded our base, and supported the leadership of students and families throughout the region. Our work in Spokane reaffirms that the fight for accessible and equitable colleges belongs to all of us — and that communities across the state are ready to shape Washington’s higher education future.
Building Community Partnerships
We met with Latinos in Spokane and Nuestras Raíces, sharing the progress of our work since 2020 and inviting them to join us in pushing for colleges that are truly accessible for first generation students, immigrant students, students of color, and working-class families.
Thanks to Rafael from Radio Hispana El Puente 88.1/92.3 FM, we also established a new communications channel that will allow C4C to reach thousands of families across the Spokane region. This partnership strengthens our ability to inform communities about their rights, available resources, and opportunities to participate in shaping higher education policy.
Supporting Student Leadership
At Eastern Washington University, we connected with students from CAMP and MEChA, discussing how young leaders can drive statewide policy change — including our current policy proposals to expand access and success for all students. Their enthusiasm and clarity about the challenges they face reaffirmed why student voice must be at the center of educational reform.
At Spokane Community College, we participated in the Native American Community Expo Fashion Show, hosting a resource table and inviting Indigenous students to join our Free College for All movement. We also connected with students during the campus Posada, where they shared their hopes for college success and learned how C4C is fighting to remove barriers in the system.
Partnering with Local Schools
At East Valley High School, we began building a collaborative partnership focused on supporting students’ pathways to college and career. Together with school staff and student leaders, we discussed opportunities to share information about HB 1889—the landmark policy that removes barriers to professional licensure for undocumented students—and to ensure families understand the new opportunities this law opens for their futures. The high school students are also exploring ways to deepen student engagement, including the possibility of creating a student club that strengthens youth leadership and the bridge between high school and college.
Institutional Commitments to Equity
We met with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices at Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College, both of which reaffirmed their commitment to advancing equity and supporting our movement. Their partnership will be crucial as we collectively address the institutional and policy barriers that continue to limit student access and success.
What We Heard: Community Concerns and Urgent Issues
Across schools, campuses, and community spaces, students and families lifted up pressing concerns affecting their education:
- Financial insecurity remains a significant barrier, especially for families working in industries like construction where job opportunities are declining.
- Fear surrounding immigration enforcement is pushing families into crisis — some returning to their home countries, others facing deportation, and many avoiding community spaces out of caution.
- A lack of clear pathways from high school to college is creating confusion, especially for first-generation and undocumented students who rely on proactive communication from institutions.
- Students and educators shared that limited resources and capacity at some institutions make it challenging to expand student-centered programs and sustain the kind of supportive learning environments they want to see.
- Refugee students need stronger guidance and financial support to navigate the higher education system and pursue their goals.
These concerns strengthen our resolve to continue expanding our statewide organizing, ensuring that Spokane — and the entire Eastern Washington region — is fully represented in the movement for equitable public colleges.
What’s Next
At every stop, we invited community members to join us for Action Days in Olympia 2026, where students, families, and allies from across the state will meet directly with decision-makers to push for policies that guarantee a fair and accessible college system.
Every conversation in Spokane made one truth clear: Education transforms communities, and communities transform education.
Our movement is growing — powered by the leadership of students, the commitment of families, the support of community organizations, and the partnership of institutions across Washington. Together, we are building a future where every student has the opportunity to achieve their dreams, no matter their zip code, family background, or immigration status.
