SPSCC partners with think tank to study and implement college reforms 

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) is going to work with the Aspen Institute to reform its programs so that graduates are better equipped to find higher paying jobs. 

SPSCC announced the partnership on Aug. 21, stating it has joined Aspen Institute’s Unlocking Opportunity network, a national effort involving 54 other colleges and 10 pilot institutions. 

The initiative involves a three-year reform plan, with the Aspen Institute working closely to evaluate SPSCC’s existing programs and implement research-based improvements. The goal is to ensure students complete high value, community college programs that lead directly to jobs. 

Colleges that have been selected for the network have access to field experts and receive tailored support from the Aspen Institute, as each school develops and implement reforms aligned with their institutional needs. 

According to Aspen Institute’s website, reform may differ depending on regional conditions and living wages. Change could manifest as the addition of new skills to a program, directing students toward a bachelor’s degree, or the elimination of programs that lead to low living wages and where a college program might not even be needed for employment. 

“Joining the Unlocking Opportunity network allows us to accelerate that mission by aligning our programs with what matters most: student success and economic mobility,” said SPSCC President Dr. Timothy Stokes in a statement included in the announcement.

Other participating colleges in Washington include Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, as well as Pierce College in Puyallup and Fort Steilacoom. Insights from this work will guide the Aspen Institute in developing future projects and state partnerships. 

The Aspen Institute is a D.C.-based, multi-sectoral think tank founded in 1949. It has been working to address several societal and political issues through a range of programs, fellowships, events, and publications.