The Seattle Colleges District (previously Seattle Community Colleges District; also known simply as Seattle Colleges) is a group of public colleges in Seattle, Washington. It nowadays consists of three colleges—North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College. Together the colleges form the second largest institution of higher education in the state,Trustee Named for Seattle Community Colleges: Steven Hill, business and community leader, Seattle Community Colleges, 2013-01-10. Accessed online 2014-08-01. behind the University of Washington, to which many of their graduates transfer.
The district's origins can be traced to 1902, with the opening of Broadway High SchoolSeattle Central Library Broadway High School History web page Accessed online 2020-01-03. on Capitol Hill. It operated as a traditional high school until the end of World War II, when it was converted to a vocational and adult education institution for the benefit of veterans who wanted to finish high school but no longer fit in at regular schools. As a result, in 1946, Broadway High School was renamed Edison Technical School. Edison started offering college-level courses 21 years later, and it was reconstituted as Seattle Community College in September 1966.Seattle Central History Page, , Seattle Central Website. Accessed online 2019-12-19.
North Seattle Community College and South Seattle Community College opened their doors in 1970, whereupon Seattle Community College was renamed Seattle Central Community College.Dave Wilma, HistoryLink.org Essay 3362, History Link (http://www.historylink.org/File/20001), June 11, 2001. Accessed online 2019-12-19.
Seattle Central Community College was named Time magazine's Community College of the Year in 2001.Andrew Goldstein, Colleges of the Year: Seattle Central , Time Magazine, September 10, 2001. Accessed online 2019-12-19.
In March 2014, the board of trustees voted unanimously to change the name from Seattle Community Colleges District to Seattle Colleges District and to change the names of the colleges to Seattle Central College, North Seattle College and South Seattle College.Julie Muhlstein, Two-year colleges trending away from 'community' name, HeraldNet (Everett Herald, Everett, Washington), March 21, 2014. Accessed online 2014-05-14.Jill Wakefield,, Dropping "Community" from the College (The EvoLLLution, Toronto, Ontario), June 6, 2014. Accessed online 2022-07-05.
Seattle Promise
In 2018 Seattle Colleges partnered with the city of Seattle and Seattle Public Schools to launch Seattle Promise, a tuition covering program that aims to expand college access, success, and completion. Seattle Promise was part of the Families and Education LevyFamilies, Education, Preschool and Promise Levy website, City of Seattle, Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL), accessed online 2025-12-19. passed by citizens of Seattle during the local election of November 2018. In November 2025, Seattle citizens voted to renew the Families and Education Levy, funding the Seattle Promise program through 2032. This time the levy passed with nearly 80 percent voting yes.Seattle Promise Seattle Education Levy website accessed online 2025-12-19. Seattle Promise offers graduating seniors of Seattle public schools paid tuition for up to two years or 90 credits as well as academic support and advising when they attend Seattle Colleges.Seattle Promise website, About, Seattle Colleges. Accessed online 2019-12-19.
Leadership and Governance
The chief executive officer of Seattle Colleges District is the chancellor. Presidents of each of the three colleges comprising Seattle Colleges—North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, South Seattle College—report to the chancellor.Leadership and Organization, Seattle Colleges website. Accessed online 2020-04-04. Seattle Colleges is governed by a board of trustees appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate.Board of Trustees, Seattle Colleges website. Accessed online 2020-04-04.
Chancellors Since 2000 2022–present - Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap Named Chancellor, Seattle Colleges website, August 2, 2023. 2016–2022 - Dr. Shouan Pan Jessica Lee, Seattle Colleges names new chancellor, Seattle Times (The Seattle Times, Seattle, Washington), April 14, 2016. Accessed online 2019-12-19. 2009-2016 - Dr. Jill Wakefield Katherine Long, Jill Wakefield to retire as Seattle Colleges' first female chancellor, Seattle Times (The Seattle Times, Seattle, Washington), August 19, 2015. Accessed online 2019-12-19. 2003-2008 - Dr. Charles Mitchell Dan Raley, Where are they now? Charlie Mitchell, former UW football star, Seattle Pi (Seattle Pi, Seattle, Washington), August 5, 2008. Accessed online 2019-12-19. 1998-2003 - Dr. Peter Ku Robert Marshall Wells, Ku retires with legacy as steadfast promoter of community colleges, Seattle Times (The Seattle Times, Seattle, Washington), June 13, 2003. Accessed online 2019-12-19.
Programs of Study
Seattle Colleges offers more than 130 career and technical education programs and academic transfer programs organized by eight areas of study.Programs and Areas of Study, Seattle Colleges website. Accessed online 2020-04-04. These programs culminate in certificates and associate degrees, as well as a number of Bachelor of Applied ScienceBachelor of Applied Science Programs, Seattle Colleges website. Accessed online 2020-04-04. degrees and college transfer options.College Transfer, Seattle Colleges website. Accessed online 2020-04-04. The colleges also offer continuing education programs; concurrent high school enrollment and high school completion programs; and Adult Basic Education/English as a Second Language programs, and corporate and customized training.Other Program & Study Options, Seattle Colleges website. Accessed online 2020-04-04.
See also Running Start program
References
External links Seattle Colleges official website Seattle Colleges Cable Television(SCCtv)