News and Stories

We’re making headlines at Bellevue College. Take a look at the latest events, innovations, and student achievements detailed in our news and stories. From alumni profiles to institutional success, we are proud of the stories that make Bellevue College the region's college of choice.

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Group photo of TRIO participants

Bellevue College Awarded $1,473,625 Federal Grant

Funds will support success of low income, first generation, students with disabilities The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded Bellevue College a federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant of $1,473,625. The grant will help more BC students succeed in college, and graduate. TRIO SSS serves students who are low income, first generation (those whose…

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Excellence Award winners named at Bellevue College

The Bellevue College Foundation recently announced the winners of the 2019-20 BC Faculty & Staff Excellence Awards. Created in 1984 by the BC Foundation, the awards honor outstanding employees who embody excellence and selflessness in helping their students and colleagues achieve success.

Wire sculptor

Gallery Space Renamed the Robert Purser Art Gallery After Longtime Art Instructor

A visionary leader and founding faculty member, Robert (Bob) Purser’s vision and determination to establish an art gallery led to the eventual construction of the beautiful gallery space we now enjoy at Bellevue College. Purser was hired in 1966 to become the first art instructor at the new Bellevue Community College, where he inspired students…

books

BC Tackles Textbook Affordability

An innovative digital course materials program, called Inclusive Access, is saving Bellevue College students an estimated one-half million dollars in textbook costs Fall Quarter 2020. Since the program’s inception in 2019, savings have increased each quarter,” said Kristen Connely, BC bookstore manager.  “In Spring Quarter 2019 the program saved BC students $90,000 in textbook costs…

Bellevue College is Outraged by the Federal Policy Change to International Students’ Visa Status

The recent news that International students are in jeopardy of being sent back to their home country is devastating to higher education. It has made this a frustrating week for Bellevue College and higher education institutions throughout Washington State and across the US. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced unfair, cruel and ludicrous…

Summer Enrollment off to a Strong Start at BC

Why college is still a smart choice Summer Quarter enrollment at Bellevue College (BC) is off to a strong start, with a 16 percent increase comparing July 1, 2020 to same date in 2019. While the final numbers won’t be tallied until mid-July, it’s a promising sign that many Washingtonians still see higher education as…

BC Faculty and Staff RISE Immersion group photo

RISE Immersion for Faculty and Staff Focuses on Trans Experience

June 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the riots against police brutality at New York’s Stonewall Inn, which is generally considered the birth of the modern LGBTQIA movement. Millions of people joined Pride marches around the world in 2019, and LGBTQIA rights were increasingly in the spotlight. “What many people forget is that many leaders…

Brad Smith

Microsoft President Brad Smith to Speak at BC Virtual Commencement

Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, will address graduates as the keynote speaker for Bellevue College’s first-ever virtual commencement ceremony that will be streamed online Friday, June 19. “The coming decade will offer us all the opportunity to help solve some of life’s biggest challenges. It will require inventors, people of curiosity, people with a passion…

On the Death of George Floyd

Bellevue College is shocked and horrified by the death of George Floyd, whose life was brutally taken while in police custody. We mourn his loss, the loss of Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many other beautiful lives that had no right to be taken. We ask members of our community to offer…

Gary Locke

BC Selects Gary Locke as Interim President

At a special meeting on Thursday, May 28, the Bellevue College Board of Trustees unanimously selected former Governor of Washington State, Gary Locke, as the college’s Interim President. The Board of Trustees made the final selection from a diverse and impressive pool of candidates based on the presidential profile, interviews and open forums, and the…