Pierce College bringing night classes to Graham

By Pat Jenkins

The Dispatch

Higher-education will come to Graham and the rest of south Pierce County in 2017.

Starting in January, Pierce College will offer courses for the general public at Graham Kapowsin High School. The classes will be in the evening, allowing adults with jobs during the day to earn college credits at night.

The courses, which will be taught by Pierce College professors, will include general requirements for nearly any career or education pathway, college officials said. Each course will have classes twice a week, and free tutoring will be available on-site. Students may also apply for financial aid.

College and Bethel School District officials are calling the classes a joint venture of the two and an added incentive to college learning in the south end of Pierce County. College students in the Bethel district alone, which covers about 200 square miles, can do their studying in physical locations locally instead of online or at Pierce College’s campuses in Puyallup and Lakewood.

“We are so excited to collaborate with the Bethel district to bring more opportunities to the community,” said Pierce College-Puyallup president Marty Cavalluzzi. “These courses, combined with our online offerings, increase the community’s access to higher education.”

Bethel superintendent Tom Seigel said college courses at Graham-Kapowsin is a boon “not only for our high school students, but also for adults. This is an opportunity that meets our community’s need for access to higher education.”

The college is planning to offer English 101, College 110 (general studies), Communications Studies 220, Psychology 100 and English as a Second Language 1-4.

Officials assured that the courses will be offered even if they initially attract a low number of students.

“There is no minimum enrollment number right now, because this is a pilot program and feasibility study, and we’re gathering data,” said Kate Burrows, a Pierce College spokeswoman.

Current or prospective Pierce College students who are interested in the new classes can get information at a meeting Dec. 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Graham Kapowsin. The high school is located at 22100 108th Ave. E.

Pierce College is marking its 50th year. The school’s academic programs include two that can lead to bachelor degrees, 38 to associate (two-year) degrees, and 44 to professional certificates. Approximately 6,000 students attend each of the two campuses in Puyallup and Lakewood.