New Pierce College location will bring college classes, support services and resources closer to students in the Bethel community
Pierce College will expand its presence in the Bethel community with the opening of a dedicated Pierce College space at the new Bethel High School. The new location will provide students with greater access to college classes and support services closer to home.
Pierce College and Bethel School District have partnered since 2017 to provide college classes to students in the Bethel community, including through classes offered at Graham-Kapowsin and Spanaway Lake high schools. The new facility builds on that partnership by giving Pierce College a dedicated presence within the new Bethel High School.
Unlike previous arrangements, in which Pierce used classrooms and other facilities within Bethel schools, the new location includes four classrooms furnished with Pierce College equipment, office space, bathrooms and a dedicated entrance for Pierce students. A full-time Pierce College site coordinator will also be based at this location.
“This is about making higher education more accessible to the students and families who live in this community,” said Jordan Pourakbari, director of P-12 partnerships at Pierce College. “We know that transportation and distance can be significant barriers to higher education. Having a dedicated Pierce College location at Bethel High School allows us to bring college opportunities closer to students while continuing to build on a partnership that has served this community for years.”
The site coordinator will be available while classes are in session to help ensure the location operates smoothly, troubleshoot issues for instructors, and provide technical assistance. The coordinator will also serve as a resource for students navigating college, connecting them with services such as advising, enrollment, financial aid, accessibility services and Veterans Services.
Additional academic support, including tutoring and Pierce’s STAT services, will be incorporated into the location as the site develops.
The classes offered at Bethel High School are Pierce College courses available to all eligible students — not only Bethel School District students or Running Start students. Courses will include subjects such as English, history, psychology, communication and college success, including classes that can fulfill common prerequisites and degree requirements.
Classes at the new location will begin with Pierce College's fall term on Sept. 21. Courses will be offered during fall, winter and spring quarters, with spring offerings scheduled to avoid conflicts with Bethel School District’s spring break. These courses are offered in a hybrid format, meeting in person one to two evenings per week with remaining instruction taking place online.
The dedicated location represents the next step in a partnership that began nearly a decade ago with a shared goal of better understanding and responding to the higher education needs of students in southern Pierce County.