Local leaders are rallying behind a new initiative aimed at boosting higher education access in Washington. During a recent Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development meeting, discussions centered on the proposed Tacoma Promise program, which seeks to address unmet student needs at the local level.

Mr. Mitchell, a representative from Tacoma, highlighted the collaborative efforts between the city, the mayor's office, and Pierce County to develop this program. He emphasized the importance of state support, specifically referencing a bill from Representative Bergquist that could provide crucial funding to help local municipalities implement such initiatives. "This could be a great opportunity for us," Mitchell stated, urging committee members to support the bill.

Jessica Monger, the external affairs director for the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS), also voiced her support for the legislation. She noted that while local governments currently have the ability to invest in WSOS, the new bill would expand opportunities for cities and counties to create exclusive scholarship seats for their communities. Monger pointed out that the bill would allow local governments to bypass existing eligibility criteria, which typically focus on high-demand fields and income levels, thus broadening access to education.

The discussions underscored a pressing issue: the low enrollment and completion rates among Washington students, which have significant implications for the state's economy. "Far too few Washington students are enrolling and completing a credential," Monger remarked, stressing the need for innovative solutions like promise programs to break this cycle.

As the committee continues to evaluate the bill, local leaders remain hopeful that these initiatives will pave the way for increased educational opportunities and a stronger workforce in Washington.