Donors Bridge FAFSA Gap for Students at Shoreline Community College
Shoreline, WA – [October 17, 2024] – The U.S. Department of Education promised a streamlined financial aid process for students this year by reimagining the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, instead of making things easier, the rollout of the new form has been riddled with delays and technical issues. Released months behind schedule, the updated FAFSA left colleges scrambling to process aid packages. Errors in the form nearly cost students $1.8 billion in federal aid, and even after a fix was implemented, further delays ensued. Additionally, a technical glitch prevented many non-citizens and their children from completing the application, adding to the frustration.
These delays have disproportionately impacted low-income students who rely on federal aid to meet essential needs such as rent, childcare, and food. Without timely access to these funds, many students faced frustration and financial insecurity, threatening their ability to remain in school.
In response, this summer the Shoreline Community College Foundation (SCCF), supported by generous donors, established a special emergency fund to bridge the gap between when students were awarded aid and when they received the funds. The Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) Financial Aid Office administered these funds to ensure students could stay enrolled despite the delays.
“Research from 2024 highlights that financial barriers remain one of the leading causes of student attrition,” said Ryan Aiello, Vice President of Student Services at Shoreline Community College. “A recent survey conducted by Western Washington University and the Washington State Achievement Council found that nearly 50% of students at two-year colleges have experienced food or housing insecurity.” Using Donor funds in this way alleviated financial stress on low-income students, keeping these students in school, giving them a better chance to complete their degree or certificate training, and move into living-wage jobs.
Wendy Coates, Executive Director of the SCCF, praised the donors whose contributions made this initiative possible: “This was such a unique situation. We knew the FAFSA rollout was delayed so we were able to find a solution to bridge the gap for our most financially fragile students before they were negatively impacted.” Through this program, 111 students received stipends ranging from $500 to $1,000 totaling $60,000 overall to cover critical living expenses, including rent, food, childcare, and transportation.
“I am deeply grateful to the donors to the SCCF who make emergency programs like this possible.,” Coates added. Every dollar not only impacts individual students but strengthens the entire Shoreline community.”
Aiello also underscored the emotional and mental health benefits of the emergency support: “This donor-backed initiative provided immediate relief for over 100 students, alleviating their financial stress as they prepared for the academic term. Beyond addressing physical needs, this assistance also contributed to students’ mental wellbeing by reducing the overwhelming anxiety that often accompanies financial uncertainty.”
“I am incredibly proud of our financial aid staff for their incredible dedication to our students at this time and to our Foundation and donors who really stepped up to serve students during this national federal aid crisis. It really demonstrates the commitment our community has for student success,” said Shoreline President Dr. Jack Kahn about this important initiative.
If you’d like to learn more about the work the Shoreline Community College Foundation does, or if you are interested by playing a positive role in the lives of our students by becoming a donor, please visit https://www.shoreline.edu/foundation/ or contact Wendy Coates at wcoates@shoreline.edu
Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) has been awarded a prestigious $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of their inaugural Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education (ITYC) program. This significant funding will support a groundbreaking project led by Professor Ben Wiggins, aimed at transforming how science exams are designed and administered in community college classrooms across the country.
The Pre-Released Exam Strategy Assessment Research (PRExSAR) project is one of 27 selected for funding through the NSF’s ITYC program, which awarded a total of $14.5 million in grants in its first year. This initiative seeks to advance innovative, evidence-based practices that enhance STEM education at two-year colleges nationwide.
Dr. Wiggins, a biology professor at Shoreline leads the project, which focuses on making science exams more equitable and effective for students. Partnering with professors from community colleges nationwide, the research team will explore how different exam strategies impact student performance and engagement. This innovative approach allows students to see the exam format and key concepts beforehand, fostering deeper learning and reducing test anxiety.
“For years, I’ve seen students struggle with traditional science exams, which can feel like a barrier to their success,” Wiggins explains. “This project allows us to explore how small changes to exam design can make a big difference, without adding extra burden on professors. We want to empower instructors with better tools, so they can help students thrive.”
In collaboration with Professor Greg Crowther of Everett Community College, the project will interview students and faculty from around the country, conduct experiments, and publish research that identifies the most effective and sustainable exam methods. “Five years ago, I stumbled across a blog post in which Ben outlined his Public Exam system. I was simultaneously impressed with Ben’s ideas and inspired to adapt them to my own classroom concerns and context, which led to the Test Question Template (TQT) framework. I’m delighted that our partnership and our work has now progressed to the point of attracting significant support from the NSF,” said Crowther about the project.
Findings from the study will provide essential insights into how to create assessments that foster greater student success, particularly in STEM fields.
“The need for a robust STEM workforce has never been greater,” Wiggins notes. “But outdated teaching methods and brutal exams are driving students away, often reinforcing the patterns of who has historically been allowed to succeed in science. This grant gives us a chance to change that narrative and bring real solutions to the table.”
The NSF’s ITYC program is part of a larger effort to expand STEM opportunities for community college students, a crucial demographic for the nation’s future scientists, engineers, and technicians. The program seeks to address the unique challenges faced by two-year institutions and ensure that students from diverse backgrounds have equitable access to STEM education.
Shoreline’s Vice President of Instruction, Dr Ben Weng emphasizes the importance of this reach: “Professor Wiggins’ project pioneers equitable assessment methods to elevate STEM teaching and learning. This innovative approach seeks to engage our diverse student body, particularly the traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM. The initiative aligns with Shoreline’s institutional goals for inclusive excellence in education. We wish him great success!
As Shoreline Community College leads this innovative research, the PRExSAR project has the potential to create lasting changes in how exams are designed and administered across the country, helping students succeed in their STEM education and beyond.
Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) is tackling the challenge of students experiencing homelessness head-on with the launch of a groundbreaking pilot program. Partnering with King County Housing programs and Best Starts for Kids, the initiative provides students experiencing homelessness who are enrolled in the Center for Education and Career Opportunities (CECO) program with stable on-campus housing, integrated directly with academic and employment support services.
Breaking Down Barriers to Success
Many students struggle to juggle educational pursuits with the instability of experiencing homelessness. The constant stress of finding shelter makes it difficult to focus on studies and maintain enrollment. Recognizing this critical barrier, CECO designed this pilot program to empower students experiencing homelessness to achieve their academic and career goals.
What is CECO?
CECO serves youth aged 16-21 who have dropped out of high school, assisting them in obtaining their secondary credentials and supporting them through their post-secondary education (gaining their certification, associate’s degree, career) tuition free. Despite the program’s success, certain student groups, particularly those facing severe mental health challenges or experiencing homelessness, have historically struggled to persist. This new partnership is designed to address these barriers directly.
“We have discovered a significant number of students facing housing instability,” Guru Dorje, Director of CECO at Shoreline explained. “Our goal is to ensure these students not only achieve their educational credentials but as one of the benefits of this they are able to secure permanent housing, breaking the cycle of homelessness.”
Addressing Critical Needs Through Housing and Support
This new initiative was originally slated to start in Summer Quarter 2024 but began ahead of schedule due to urgent student needs. The program aims to house students on campus for eight quarters, integrating housing with comprehensive educational and employment support. Currently, four students are benefiting from this program, with plans to expand to twelve students by Spring 2025.
The program is rooted in the belief that “stable housing, coupled with a dedicated case manager who supports both educational and employment goals, is crucial for student success,” said Dorje. “Other programs typically separate housing and educational support, but our approach integrates them, providing a holistic support system.”
The program’s early results are promising. All three students currently enrolled in the pilot are on track to earn their high school equivalency diplomas and seamlessly transition to post-secondary education.
“Our ultimate aim is to see these students complete their education, transfer if appropriate, secure stable employment, and maintain permanent housing, said Dr. Jack Kahn, President of Shoreline Community College. “Our hope is to see positive outcomes with our initial students and expand this program and work with others to do the same”
Looking Ahead
Partnering with King County Housing programs, and the Shoreline Community College Foundation the initiative provides students experiencing homelessness who are enrolled in the CECO program with stable on-campus housing, integrated directly with academic and employment support services. Initial 2-year grant funding for the program is being provided by King County and generous donors who give through the Shoreline Community College Foundation. Long-term funding to ensure the program’s continued success and expansion is needed. Donors and funders interested in learning more can reach out to the Shoreline Community College Foundation (sccfoundation@shoreline.edu).
This initiative is the first of its kind, combining housing with educational and employment support to a single point of contact in a community college setting. The insights gained from this pilot will inform future strategies to address homelessness among students, with the hope of expanding similar programs across other community and technical colleges.
The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3:00pm on Memorial Day for one minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the United States. For the fallen and for the missing, we carry the torches of their memories.
It’s that time of year again—time to celebrate the outstanding faculty who make Shoreline Community College a great place to learn and grow. We’re excited to announce the call for nominations for the Exceptional Faculty Awards!
Since 1998, the Shoreline Community College Foundation, with support from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, has been honoring exceptional faculty members. This prestigious award recognizes dedication, expertise, and outstanding service in teaching, advising, counseling, and librarianship.
Who Can Nominate? Anyone! Whether you’re an administrator, alumni, classified employee, faculty member, Foundation Board member, student, or trustee, your voice matters. Faculty members can also nominate themselves.
Nomination Criteria*: Nominate an individual or a group of faculty members who have shown:
Exceptional dedication, knowledge, or achievement in their field
Outstanding teaching, advising, counseling, or librarianship skills
Superior service in their duties
*For more detailed information, please see the criteria listed below.
Eligibility:
Individual faculty members need at least 9 quarters of full- or part-time work.
Groups need a combined 18 quarters of full- or part-time work.
Previous individual winners are eligible again after 5 years, and group winners after 5 years as well.
Submit by end of business on Friday, June 14, 2024.
Let’s show our amazing faculty how much we appreciate their hard work and dedication. Get your nominations in and help us celebrate the exceptional educators who inspire us every day!
SHORELINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
EXCEPTIONAL FACULTY AWARD SELECTION CRITERIA
Exemplary Work Performance: Enriching the classroom, counseling/advising center or library with knowledge, experience, and vitality; demonstration to a superior degree the characteristics of good college teaching/advising; knowledge of subject, enthusiasm, clarity of presentation, ability to involve students, creativity, and student empathy. Achieve high ratings for teaching/counseling. Constantly strives to find effective ways to teach/counsel.
Other criteria that may be considered include the following:
Positive Impact on Students: Being a mentor to students and/or an exemplary advisor/ counselor. Providing service and special assistance to students. Direct impact upon and involvement with students. Specialized individual tutoring and instruction or promotion of methods that enhance a student’s understanding of and enthusiasm for the course material. Ability to accommodate varying learning rates or capabilities. Generates excitement for learning.
Professional Achievement: Unusual achievements of scholarly activities such as publishing efforts, presentations to scholarly organizations or community groups, research and consulting workshops, or continuing education courses. Evidence of excellence achieved in a faculty member’s area of responsibility. Possession of high scholarly standards for both the rigor and currency of course content. Service to professional organizations through holding office, committee work, etc. Recognition by peers in the profession.
Commitment to Diversity: Demonstrating a commitment and service to special student and community populations, either in a leadership role, contribution of time and energy, or promotion of diversity in the curriculum and classroom. A demonstrated commitment to student success strategies for minority, disabled and/or disadvantaged students.
Cooperative Spirit: That many of the activities of the faculty member are viewed by faculty and/or staff as having a positive impact on his/her professional capacity at the College; strong interpersonal skills. Maintaining a positive learning environment inside and outside the classroom. Makes positive contributions to the progress, well-being of his/her academic unit and of the College. Builds and maintains self-esteem of others.
Leadership: Innovative with curriculum or teaching methods. Unusual efforts devoted to ensuring the quality of the student’s educational experience at Shoreline Community College. Enthusiasm for teaching, for a subject area. Sought out by others for advice on general academic matters or governance issues or teaching methods, processes, or approaches.
Contributions to the College or Community: Participation in community organizations/College committees/campus activities. Evidence of exemplary service to the community. Extended learning and teaching beyond the classroom into community by involving students in special community activiti
Shoreline Community College is pleased to announce Brian Crisanto Ramos as the new Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility. When asked about his new role, Brian said, “I am so thrilled and humbled to be joining the Shoreline community this summer! We have some exciting and challenging work ahead of us, but I truly couldn’t be more honored to be in community with each of you. As a graduate from our local community college system, I know firsthand the passion we bring and the impact we are going to make as we co-create a more equitable and inclusive campus for all staff, faculty, and students.” He will begin his new role on July 1, 2024.
Brian is a proud member of the Pipil, Lenca, and Mayan Nations of Manawara, often referred to as El Salvador and Costa Rica. As a son to Salvadoran refugees and a first-generation TRIO student, he is the byproduct of a resilient community dedicated to the uplifting of all people.
Ramos holds a master’s degree in Cultural Studies from the University of Washington, and also received a bachelor’s in political science from Seattle University, and an associate’s degree in political science from Edmonds College. For over ten years, Brian has served within the WA State Community College system. He began his career within student services at Everett Community College, working hands-on with students in Financial Aid and Workforce Funding. During this time, he worked to co-create and implement a new framework of equity, and thus transitioned to the Associate Director of Retention. Brian brought together various Tribal Nations and the campus community to create a space for Indigenous Students called huyadadaličəɬ, “The Place of Our Way,” where Native students were directly supported in an effort to increase Native student retention.
Most recently, he has served within the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. In this role, he focused his work on reviewing and redesigning institutional systems through an equity lens, creating avenues to learn and grow as a campus community, providing guidance to departments, staff, and faculty on co-creating equitable changes. Brian brings a passion for relationship building and has created and fostered relationships at both Everett Community College & Lake Washington Tech with Tribal Nations, bringing Land Acknowledgements to life through accountability & actions.
Through his Indigenous roots, Brian has learned to challenge systems designed by, and for the dominant culture while maintaining himself rooted in the voices of his ever-resilient communities. Along with this, Brian is supported by an amazing fluffy white Dog named Appa, his service dog & best friend! Every week he recharges by playing board games, Magic the Gathering, and exploring new places while playing Pokémon GO.
Shoreline Community College & Bloodworks Northwest are hosting a campus blood drive on Wednesday, May 8 from 11:00am-5:00pm in the PUB Quiet Dining Room (9208). SCC students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to make an appointment to donate by going to https://bit.ly/SCCgiveblood24 but walk-ins are welcome (space permitting).
ESPN journalist Brady Henderson is scheduled to talk to The Ebbtide staff at 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 6, Room 9101 in the PUB. Henderson is planning to speak about his career and how he got into sports journalism, how he built a social media following and some of the stories that he’s covered reporting on the Seattle Seahawks. All are welcome to attend. Please email Ebbtide faculty adviser Jim Davis at jimdavis@shoreline.edu if you’re planning to attend.
