Are you working and interested in going back to school? We understand that balancing work, family, and other responsibilities while attending college can be a challenge. The Seattle Colleges Center for Working Adults was designed to support students like you!
Know that you are not alone on your journey. Did you know?
The Seattle Colleges – Seattle Central, North Seattle, and South Seattle -- can connect you to resources that can help you achieve your goals as you go back to school as a full-time or part-time worker.
We believe that a college education should be attainable, accessible, and affordable. As a team, the Center for Working Adults can help you:
Center for Working Adults (CWA) is a collaboration between the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development and the Seattle Colleges. In addition, CWA partners with employers like Kaiser Permanente, local government, community-based organizations, and workforce partners like Seattle Jobs Initiative. Our partners provide support with financial resources, career planning, program development, business expertise, and career advancement. We work together to support the success of students, businesses, and the Seattle community.
We understand the demands of working and going to school can be a major undertaking. Therefore, we have identified programs that are high in demand and are accessible to you as a working adult.
To learn more about all program offerings that the Seattle Colleges offer, please visit the College to Career website.
Seattle is a global hub for the technology industry. IT jobs are exploding at companies such as Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Boeing. Many small start-ups and mid-sized employers are also hiring all the time for these high-demand skills. Some of these programs include:
With four jobs available for every one healthcare worker, Seattle healthcare professionals have choices. The healthcare industry needs people across all areas of patient care as well as office and administrative roles. Some of these programs include:
Business and Accounting programs prepare you for entry-level industry jobs in accounting, business administration, and more. These programs can help you develop core skills, including communication, organization, technology, financial and marketing analysis, human resources, and business ethics. Some of these programs include:
The manufacturing process requires many different roles, skills, and expertise. Whether you are building circuits, operating machines, fabricating composites, or driving long haul trailers, your skills will be in high demand.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) certification leads to opportunities to teach and guide children in settings such as daycare facilities, preschool programs, licensed in-home day care programs and others. More and more programs require preschool teachers to have a bachelor’s degree. We have pathways from a certificate through a Bachelor’s degree so you can get there.
There are 5 initial steps for Admissions and Enrollment for all of the Seattle Colleges. Click the “Enroll Now” button below to learn about the steps.
Enroll Now
For additional information, visit one of the Enrollment pages for the College you are interested in:
Reach out to our CWA Navigators who can help you get started!
Krystal Sales is a College Navigator that helps working adults that are prospective and current students, identify general worker-friendly programs at all the Seattle Colleges campus locations. She can help students understand enrollment processes, financial aid, and refer to wrap-around resources. She also supports the Kaiser Permanente Medical Assistant Scholarship Recipients. Krystal is originally from Honolulu, HI and she enjoys being a dessert foodie, traveling, and playing the ukulele.
Evvie Ormon is a Healthcare Pathways Navigator who works with prospective and current students who are working in healthcare already, and want to grow their careers in the industry. Evvie can provide support with enrollment and financial aid, outside referrals, choosing a “best fit” program, and strategies for balancing work and school responsibilities. Evvie supports the GrowHire initiative in partnership with Swedish Hospital and Seattle Jobs initiative. Evvie is originally from the American South and loves southern foods and east coast thunderstorms.
David Makonnen is an Early Childhood Education Navigator who helps Early Childhood Education students with registration, funding assistance and advising on WA state ECE Stackable certificates, AAS and BAS programs. He is also the point of contact for the Early Achievers and the Seattle Preschool Program grants. David serves South, Central and North campus ECE students. Originally from Ethiopia, he speaks Amharic, Tigrigna, French and English. He loves exploring nature in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Empowering current and future educators who impact the future of our children is a source of joy.
Financial Aid may be available to help make your education a reality. Prospective and current students can apply for grants, work-study opportunities, and scholarships. Our Navigators can help prospective students explore funding resources including:
The Seattle Colleges offer various student support services to help you get through college.
These resources include counseling, childcare assistance, emergency funding, TRiO, tutoring, disabilities services, Veterans support, and more.
Contact a Navigator through the Center for Working Adults who can help connect you with resources. For more information, visit one of the Student Support Services department websites:
We’re making education more accessible for your workers to further their education and advance their careers. Classes and programs are available at night, on weekends, and online. We support your commitment to the development of your workforce and can provide tools and resources to your employees such as:
Speaking to many departments on campus can be time consuming and confusing. Our navigator walks working students through the process.
Getting to campus for initial information can be a barrier. Through coordination with your key contacts, we can bring a college navigator to your site to be available to employees before work, at breaks or lunch, or after work.
Many sources exist for college tuition. Our navigator will help students explore the variety of available tuition resources.
Busy working adults can find it challenging to stick with school and complete a program. Our navigator is available to help working students overcome road blocks as they arise.
If you are an employer and would like to connect, please email employerpartnerships@seattlecolleges.edu
We’re here for you. We can meet you on campus, in the evenings, or on site at your workplace to assist you.
Jonathan Larreau College for Working Adults Navigator Jonathan.Larreau@seattlecolleges.edu Request information at go.seattlecolleges.edu.
Board Member Institution of the League for Innovation