More than 100 students and community leaders from across Washington came together at Seattle University for Communities for Our Colleges’ third Student Power Building Conference—a weekend focused on building relationships, developing campaign strategy, and putting organizing skills into action. Participants represented communities across the state, including Spokane, Deer Park, Wenatchee, Yakima, Selah, Tieton, Granger, Toppenish,Continue reading “From Belonging to Action: 116 Leaders Build Statewide Student Power”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
From Washington to a National Fight for College for All
At a moment when public education is under attack and the cost of college continues to put higher education out of reach for too many families, Communities for Our Colleges believes we need to do more than defend what we have. We need to organize for the higher education system our communities deserve. On JulyContinue reading “From Washington to a National Fight for College for All”
Building Electoral Power Across Washington: Lessons from Our Spring Organizing
At Communities for Our Colleges (C4C), we believe that transforming higher education requires more than good policy ideas. It requires organized people, strong relationships, and communities prepared to exercise their collective power. This spring, we launched the first phase of our electoral organizing work. During April and May, our teams conducted 1,214 voter outreach attemptsContinue reading “Building Electoral Power Across Washington: Lessons from Our Spring Organizing”
From Central Washington to Every Corner of the State: Organizing for Education and Democracy
In the week leading up to May Day, Communities for Our Colleges (C4C) mobilized across Central Washington — connecting with students, building civic participation, and helping bring communities together to defend democracy, higher education, and our local economies. In just one week, we connected directly with 635 students and community members across Yakima, Grandview, andContinue reading “From Central Washington to Every Corner of the State: Organizing for Education and Democracy”
From Seattle to Tacoma to Spokane: Building Power Across Washington’s Colleges
Across Washington State, Communities for Our Colleges (C4C) continues to organize alongside students, families, and communities to protect access to education and advance equity. Over the past several weeks, that work has taken shape across multiple regions — from mobilizing families in Seattle, to organizing students in Tacoma, to building relationships and leadership in Spokane.Continue reading “From Seattle to Tacoma to Spokane: Building Power Across Washington’s Colleges”
No Student Should Have to Choose Between Safety and Education
Recently, leaders from Communities for Our Colleges (C4C) were featured in a KING 5 segment highlighting the experiences of undocumented students in Washington. The story lifts up a reality that many of our students know all too well: for some, going to school is not just about learning — it’s about safety.
No Cuts to Our Future: Students and Educators Take Action on Presidents’ Day
On February 16, Communities for Our Colleges (C4C) brought 133 students, educators, and community members from across Washington State to Olympia for our Presidents’ Day Lobby Day of Action — a powerful demonstration of statewide organizing and collective leadership. Participants traveled from Spokane, Yakima Valley, the Tri-Cities, Everett, Kitsap County, Tacoma, Olympia, Bothell, Bellevue, Seattle,Continue reading “No Cuts to Our Future: Students and Educators Take Action on Presidents’ Day”
Our Futures, Our Voices: Students Leading at the Capitol
Our Futures, Our Voices: Students Leading at the Capitol captures student leaders from across Washington State putting their training into practice during Communities for Our Colleges’ recent MLK Action Day at the state legislature. After months of organizing, preparation, and leadership development, students stepped into the halls of power to advocate directly with lawmakers onContinue reading “Our Futures, Our Voices: Students Leading at the Capitol”
No Cuts to Our Future: Students Across Washington Take Action on MLK Day
Yesterday, Communities for Our Colleges (C4C) brought 107 students, educators, and community members from across Washington State to Olympia for our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Action — not just to honor Dr. King’s legacy, but to push back against proposed budget cuts to higher education. Participants traveled from Yakima, Grandview, the Tri-Cities,Continue reading “No Cuts to Our Future: Students Across Washington Take Action on MLK Day”
How Rural Small Businesses Are Rallying Behind Free College
Across rural Washington, small business owners are speaking up about an issue that is often framed as a student concern—but is just as much an economic one. The video “Rural Small Businesses Rallying Behind Free College” highlights a growing recognition among local entrepreneurs: tuition-free community and technical college is not a luxury, but a necessaryContinue reading “How Rural Small Businesses Are Rallying Behind Free College”