• 

  'Ghost students' are haunting WA community colleges — to steal financial aid

  AI-generated students are taking advantage of community colleges in Washington state, filling classes, and spiriting away federal loans and grants.

  • Ann Dornfeld
• 

  Seattle-area community colleges see fewer international students amid travel ban, visa restrictions

  International students have brought needed revenue to colleges in recent years — especially community colleges where local enrollment has fallen. But getting permission to study in the U.S. has gotten harder under the Trump administration. Seattle-area community colleges have been hit hard by the changes — and the fear they’ve caused.

  • Ann Dornfeld
• 

  From Vegas to Waitsburg, classroom a new stage for former showgirl

  If you went to Las Vegas in the 1980s, you might have seen dancers covered in feathers and rhinestones. A former Tropicana showgirl now lives in Waitsburg – and she’s bringing her life’s story and the lessons she’s learned to a Walla Walla classroom.

  • Courtney Flatt
• 

  Catch model-walking, voguing, and other competitions at this cowboy-themed Seattle ball

  This isn’t your typical 1950s-style ballroom. This type of ballroom is a mashup of model-walking, voguing, and other performance arts.

  • Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez
• 

  Seattle Colleges faculty, staff demand equitable raises in walkout

  Seattle Colleges faculty say they haven't received a significant pay raise since 2009.

  • Sami West
• 

  A different kind of college education

  There’s been a lot of grim news for Seattle's community colleges since the pandemic. Declining enrollment and budget shortfalls have created massive problems for the system. But applied baccalaureate programs are offering a path for some students looking to level up their careers. Reporter Janelle Retka will tell us why they're so popular, and who could benefit from one.

  • Patricia Murphy
• 

  Seattle Colleges' multi-million dollar budgeting blunder draws ire of staff

  Typically, a college system would be happy to discover millions of dollars in savings. But the recent revelation that Seattle Colleges was only facing a fraction of its projected budget deficit is causing frustration among staff, who faced the threat of job loss and program cuts.

  • Hans Anderson
• 

  Seattle College trade programs still seek long-term funding

  For decades businesses have relied on community colleges to help train the workforce. But now the community college system is facing a multimillion-dollar deficit and an uncertain future at a time when companies are struggling with labor shortages. Earlier this month, the culinary school and other trade programs were slated for closure. They got a reprieve, for now. But the financial woes, years in the making, haven’t gone away.

  • Ruby de Luna
• 

  White House drops free community college from its spending bill

  The Biden administration's program to make community college tuition-free will not become a reality in this round of the president's spending priorities, leaving progressive groups disappointed.

  • Elissa Nadworny
• 

  Today's College Students Aren't Who You Think They Are

  Nearly 17 million students head to college this fall. About half are financially independent from their parents, and nearly 1 in 4 is a parent caring for a child.

  • NPR Staff