News and Stories

Degree in Cybersecurity Leads to a New Career and a Better Life

For Octaviana Bostina, life had always been a balancing act. She maintained a professional career while also caring for her young son. Trained in her native Romania as an accountant, she spent workdays ensuring that numbers added up. She yearned for a life that would provide ample comfort in return for her hard work and expertise.

Notes from the President

Interim Bellevue College President Gary Locke:
Dear Colleagues,
I have long been concerned about the growing socio-economic stratification within our society and evidenced within large companies and organizations in our region—largely along racial/ethnic lines. So many of these large companies and organizations are starving for talent and thus recruiting out-of-state to meet their needs.

BC ALERT: Power Outage

BC ALERT: Due to an emergency at a local substation Puget Sound Energy may need to turn off power to campus temporarily this afternoon.

The 10 Most Affordable Colleges in the USA

A recent announcement suggested that the government would begin to position colleges and universities based on how affordable colleges are. This new initiative takes into account not only tuition fees but how much money a student can expect to spend in an entire term on items such as student housing etc. Bellevue College ranks #10 on this list.

Notes from the President

Interim Bellevue College President Gary Locke:
Dear Colleagues,

In case you haven’t heard yet, the Washington State Legislature’s budget for 2023-2024 approved Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for higher education employees. Both classified and exempt employees will receive a COLA of 4% on July 1, 2023 while full- and part-time faculty will receive COLAs of 8.9% and 9.5%, respectively.

Farewell, President Locke

About 60 people gathered for the farewell reception of Bellevue College Interim President Gary Locke on the BC campus on June 20. To honor Locke, the college named a room, the “Gary F. Locke Ballroom,” in the U Building, BC’s newest building constructed in 2020. The ballroom, an event room, spans approximately 6,216 square feet and can accommodate up to 950 guests.

IDEAS Grant Awarded to BC

Bellevue College is one of 34 U.S. colleges and universities in 28 U.S. states to be awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) Program, which aims to develop and expand study abroad programs around the world.

BC’S Mayer Honored by Seattle Association for Women in Science

Every year, the Seattle Association for Women in Science (AWIS) recognizes a select number of women for their achievements in advancing science or technology, contributing to STEM education, or being outstanding mentors and leaders. BC chemistry professor Jennie Kong Mayer is one of three women who will be honored at the annual Seattle AWIS banquet on June 14. Mayer will receive the Excellence in STEM Education/Outreach award.

BC’s Ghashmari Receives Fulbright Scholar Award

Dr. Ahmad Ghashmari, English Language Institute associate professor, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award for the 2023-2024 academic year. Ghashmari will be hosted by Jordan University of Science and Technology.

BC to Host Juneteenth Virtual Seattle Black History Tour

The Black Employees of Bellevue College (BEOBC) and the Black Student Union along with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are partnering with Bellevue College’s XR Lab and eLearning to present the Virtual Seattle Black History Tour on Thursday, June 15, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.