Skagit Valley College Earns National Honors

SVC Named among the Top 100 community colleges for Adult Learners

Skagit Valley College (SVC) is pleased to announce that it has received national recognition as one of the best community colleges in the nation. Washington Monthly magazine published its ranking of the Top 100 Best Two-Year Colleges for Adult Learners and SVC was named #61.

This year’s recognition is the third national honor for SVC by Washington Monthly magazine. The College was named among the top community colleges in 2007 and 2010.

“To be selected again as one of the best community colleges in the nation is a tribute to our faculty and staff, who are focused on excellence and continually seek ways to expand access and support student achievement,” said SVC President Dr. Tom Keegan. “We have a strong commitment to creating innovative learning strategies that help our students reach their educational goals and it is very rewarding to be recognized for our work.”

Skagit Valley College is one of 30 colleges nationwide — and only three from Washington — to be selected to participate in The Pathways Project led by the American Association of Community Colleges. Funded through a $5.2 million Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant, The Pathways Project provides a unique opportunity for SVC to identify new strategies that reduce barriers to student success. It builds upon the efforts already in place at SVC and supports the College’s focus on excellence in access, achievement, and community. Participation in the project positions SVC as a national leader in student achievement.    

With student achievement strategies developed through participation in The Pathways Project, SVC is seeing strong improvements in retention. Among these initiatives, First Quarter Experience is a mandatory two-credit class for new degree-seeking students. It is designed to help them develop an academic plan, life/career plan, financial plan, college navigation skills, and meaningful engagement with peers, faculty, and staff.

The other community colleges in Washington to be ranked this year were Renton Technical College (#8), Lake Washington Institute of Technology (#33), Walla Walla Community College (#41), and Olympic (#100).

Ranking information is available at, http://washingtonmonthly.com/2017college-guide?ranking=best-colleges-for-adult-learners-2-year-colleges-21b79c63-3d59-4a7a-9353-03246566aacd .

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