Peninsula College is running on all cylinders. We’re filled with top-notch fuel in the tank and road ready with all-grip tires. Unfortunately, if the Legislature looks to PC and the state’s other 33 community and technical colleges to help fix the state’s budget deficit, we’re going to have to take a pit stop.
The North Olympic Peninsula and its residents have directly benefited from Peninsula College’s unprecedented growth over the past three years. There is a direct correlation between a thriving economy and a community college aligned to meet local needs. There are many signs that our region’s economy is about to reach a new level of success, and the college is a critical player in that story.
We’re just getting started. There is so much more work to be done.
A hit from the Legislature at this time would slow our growth, cut services and job training opportunities for students and add once-dedicated, soon-to-be unemployed PC employees to the community’s challenges.
Some of the proposals being considered in Olympia include:
• A cut right off the top of PC’s budget, which means lost jobs for employees who are serving students;
• Furlough days for state employees, which means PC won’t be open to serve students;
• A cut to PC’s popular cybersecurity job training program, including student scholarships and faculty salaries;
• Gutting the commercial truck drivers licensing program, which provides livable-wage jobs with just a few weeks of training.
Dr. Ames became Peninsula College’s president in July 2022. She inherited a 10-year enrollment decline and a $2 million budget deficit. Thanks to the hard-working employees, we have turned this college around.
Last year, PC was the fastest-growing community college in the state. We might earn that record two years in a row. We started nine new instructional programs that prepare people for local, high-paying jobs. We grew our GED/high school completion program by 85 percent.
Peninsula College is committed to delivering the power of higher education to people who never thought this gift was for them. There is a direct correlation between a mother’s educational level and a young person’s trajectory in life.
PC is educating the mothers, fathers and the younger generation all at the same time. We’re transforming families, businesses and the entire community.
The stories of student success are the real power of PC.
Daniel struggled in his youth and young adult life. He recently found PC, successfully completed his high school diploma, and is now vice president of the student honor society and is taking prerequisites to get into PC’s nursing program.
Robert was laid off when the McKinley paper mill closed. He is now studying cybersecurity and forensics at PC after being away from school for 23 years, and he’s earning a 4.0 GPA.
Ella just earned the highest application score in Washington state and a $1,500 scholarship from the prestigious Coca-Cola Foundation. She’s also about to earn a degree in welding and will enter a career that will open endless doors and gain her financial stability.
There are thousands more stories just like these. The students get a ton of credit for their success, but it also doesn’t happen without support from the state.
We know the state has a $15 billion budget shortfall over the next four years. We also know the state’s community colleges didn’t cause the shortfall. If anything, we helped prevent it from being worse.
Community colleges shouldn’t be asked to take a cut when we directly contribute to a thriving economy. Community colleges – PC included – are literally the answer to a budget shortfall and economic revenue decline.
Don’t cut the solution.
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Dr. Joe Floyd is chair of the Board of Trustees at Peninsula College. Dr. Suzy Ames is the College’s seventh president.
Suzy Ames.
