Strategic Initiatives

Seattle Central Community College Seattle Maritime Academy

The vision for the Seattle Maritime Academy is to be the premier maritime training facility in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle Central’s Seattle Maritime Academy offers one of the nation’s most highly regarded and innovative technical training and professional certifications programs in Marine Deck Technology and Marine Engineering Technology, as well as a Deckhand Cook training program.

A strong maritime sector depends on a supply of individuals who are well-prepared and well-trained. Today, there is a critical shortage of qualified seafarers as experienced mariners are reaching retirement age. In addition, changes in vessel technology, maritime and navigation equipment, fuel costs and government regulations also require the SMA to upgrade equipment to stay current with this vitally important industry.

Through Seattle Central Community College and the Power & Promise campaign, we will raise funds to:

• Ensure the success of more students through scholarships and tutoring programs
• Provide the finest marine technology education by upgrading programs, equipment and facilities to meet the expanding needs of the maritime industry
• Replace and increase skills labs, classroom spaces, administrative offices and instructional and student support services through $18.1 million in capital funds from the State of Washington

Science and Technology for Excellence
North Seattle Community College

North Seattle Community College is at the forefront of using innovative and emerging technology in teaching and learning. Programs showcasing the college’s effort to embed technological tools in interdisciplinary teaching and training models include the Undergraduate Research and Nanotechnology programs.

Undergraduate Research
NSCC is one of the national leaders in creating undergraduate research opportunities for science students at the community college level. The current focus of research is organized around issues of global warming and carbon and nitrogen cycling. In 2008, the college has been asked by the Council for Undergraduate Research to host a Pacific Northwest National symposium to discuss the role of undergraduate research at the community college level.

Nanotechnology
NSCC is the first college in the state to offer an Associate of Applied Science Transfer degree in Nanotechnology. This degree program trains students to enter an emerging advanced technology field that is expected to add at least 800,000 jobs to the country’s economy in the next 15 years. The college is leading a consortium of community colleges to establish a regional hub for developing this nano-ready workforce.

North Seattle Community College and the Power & Promise campaign are seeking private funding to support the following goals:

• Institutionalize an undergraduate research program for first-year science students that is interdisciplinary, field-based, globally relevant and supported financially
• Create a network of industry and university partners to support student-driven research
• Document and analyze students’ learning as students engage in research-based activities
• Fund an integrated nanotechnology research program compatible with university studies
• Provide state-of-the-art equipment
• Facilitate multi-institutional research efforts
• Establish outreach programs targeting future high school graduates

Aeronautical Technology Program: A Plan for Excellence - South Seattle Community College

The Aeronautical Technology program at South Seattle has a longtime reputation as one of the best in the country. The centerpiece of this program is the Aviation Maintenance Program - the oldest, largest and best-established training program in the Pacific Northwest. Students who complete this program are qualified to work on any aircraft in the world.

To meet the ongoing demands of the aeronautical industry, South Seattle Community College and the Power & Promise campaign will raise funds to increase the number of new technicians entering the field and improve training by:

• Reaching out to the workforce of the future – members of ethnic minorities and new immigrants to America as well as draw on our partnerships with area high schools.
• Acquiring a working commercial jet that would offer aviation maintenance students exposure to current technology.
• Creating modern learning environments by constructing a new facility on the footprint of our current King County International Airport hangar and classroom building through an innovative private/public partnership and acquiring up-to-date aviation equipment and instrumentation.