President’s Message: ATD Names BC Leader College of Distinction

Dear Bellevue College community,

I’m honored to announce Bellevue College has received national recognition from Achieving the Dream for the second year in a row.

Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility.

This year, we were named as a Leader College of Distinction. In 2025, we were named a Leader College, and we have been in the ATD network since 2017.

Being a Leader College of Distinction means our institution has been recognized for showing demonstrated, sustained excellence in advancing student success outcomes over time. Some of the metrics ATD uses to measure this success include our course success rates, student retention, and milestone momentum, such as completion rates, culture and data-informed improvements, and institutionalized best practices.

This honor is a testament to the exemplary work each and every one of you are doing to help our students persist through their academics in equitable and measurable ways. It reflects years of intentional work to remove barriers, strengthen pathways, and ensure every Bellevue College student has the skills, knowledge, and resilience to thrive. Thank you for your continued commitment to ensuring our students are supported throughout their educational journey here and into their futures. I am proud to be part of a national network that is redefining what higher education can achieve.

I’d especially like to thank those who played a large part in working with Achieving the Dream and applying for this recognition. The ATD Committee has done incredible work, and I’m grateful for their dedication to Bellevue College.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Dr. David May