BC News

BC Invites the Public to Learn More About the College at Discovery Day | Patch

Want to find out what’s new at Bellevue College (BC)? Then join us for Discovery Day on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., an open house event for current and prospective students, parents, and community members who’re interested in exploring BC’s programs and services. Experience an open door to our Student Success Center…

Cloud Computing Degree Programs Help Fill Workforce Gaps | EdTech

Bellevue College in Washington named its continuing and career education arm the Tombolo Institute, after the word for a sandbar that joins an island to the mainland. The institute aims to similarly serve as a bridge, helping working professionals build their careers. When it comes to the cloud, officials are leaning on an ongoing partnership with Microsoft to help midcareer students grow their skills.

“We get input from the job marketplace — from the students and also from our advisory council made up of employers — and there’s definitely a gap in terms of the talent that employers are looking for and the people that want to get into the field,” says Ray Chew, director of technology at the Tombolo Institute. “There are all of these job openings, but you can’t just take a course and then expect someone to hire you tomorrow, so we’ve helped students to bridge that gap.”

Bellevue College’s partnership with Microsoft gives the school access to the vendor’s content and resources. It also provides training for Bellevue College instructors, ensuring that courses are led by professionals with thorough knowledge about the latest tools and practices in cloud computing. Students in the program pursue Microsoft cloud certifications, making them more competitive job candidates, Chew says.

Amazon Donates $3M to Seattle-Area Colleges to Support Computer Science Degrees | Geekwire

Amazon is donating $3 million to Seattle-area colleges to bolster their computer science programs.  Bellevue College, located east of Seattle, will receive $1.5 million over three years to support its bachelor of science in computer science. There are 187 undergraduates currently enrolled in the degree program, which launched in 2017. The gift will increase financial…

Bellevue College Looking to Fill Space for Healthcare Management and Leadership Program | Bellevue Reporter

At the start of the pandemic, many educational institutions had to shift from in person learning to online learning, but Bellevue College’s healthcare management and leadership (HCML) bachelor’s degree program has exclusively offered remote learning since its inception in 2016. “Our faculty didn’t miss a beat. We’ve been doing it for six years,” said Shana…

Discovery Day at BC Invites the Public to Learn More About the College

Want to find out what’s new at Bellevue College (BC)? Then join us for Discovery Day on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., an open house event for current and prospective students, parents, and community members who’re interested in exploring BC’s programs and services. Experience an open door to our Student Success Center…

Notes from the President

Dear Colleagues,

Thanks to the BC community for the tremendous participation in the Equity-Focused Professional Development Day last week. A big “Thank You” to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for putting on a thought-provoking and meaningful day for our campus. Between the variety of sessions, the opportunities to learn in community with one another, and the engaging presenters—it was an excellent day.

See How One Detective Improves Lives Through the Game of Chess | CNN

Amazon Giving $1.5M to Support Bellevue College Computer Science Students | 425 Magazine

Amazon will donate $1.5 million to the Bellevue College Foundation over the next three years to support students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in computer science and help build a pipeline of graduates to meet industry demand, the college announced Tuesday.

The funds will help expand the capacity of the computer science program to serve more students and support students with financial or technical assistance, particularly those from underrepresented populations

Bellevue College Announces Expansion of Nursing Program | Benzinga

To help bolster the Pacific Northwest healthcare system and provide more opportunities to students eager to join the field, Bellevue College (BC) announced today an expansion of its Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program.

Before, all ADN students had to enroll in Fall Quarter or Winter Quarter and take a full-time class load. Starting in Spring 2023, students can enroll in Fall, Winter or Spring Quarters, and have ten quarters, instead of 6, to complete their degree. It's a huge bonus for students who need to work while going to college part-time. And it allows for more reentry points for students who may have started the ADN program in the past but were unable to finish it.

Making a Home for Students With Autism | News AKMI

“Autistic people, in order to fit into society, have to pretend to be something that they are not,” says Sara Sanders Gardner, director of Bellevue College’s Neurodiversity Navigators program. “That takes a huge toll on them.”

Gardner, who uses “they/them” pronouns, speaks from personal experience. Years of masking their autism
have left Gardner with chronic pain and two autoimmune disorders. “It is soul-crushing to have to pretend to be someone you are not, all the time.”

Instead of offering social-skills classes, Bellevue’s program pairs students with peer mentors who help them develop a script for what they might say in a given interaction. Mentors don’t tell students what to say but walk them through a process of figuring it out for themselves, Gardner says.