WSU president outlines its plans at EvCC

EVERETT — Communities that don’t support education are poorer places for it, Washington State University President Elson Floyd told about 400 guests gathered for the Everett Community College Foundation breakfast Tuesday morning.

The foundation’s annual fundraiser for scholarships gave Floyd a platform on which to explain WSU’s commitment to Snohomish County and its partnership with Everett Community College. He sees a future in which WSU garners as many partners as possible in economic development.

“As taxpayers, you’ve invested in public institutions,” Floyd said. “We want to make sure our investment can have an impact on this community.”

He said WSU will offer degree programs that focus on improving business productivity in farming, aerospace and energy sustainability; research into maritime manufacturing; and tourism and hospitality. He said the university will continue to study emerging employment sectors where demand for graduates is growing and adjust academic programs accordingly.

To accommodate an expected wave of retiring Boeing engineers, WSU has already boosted the number of engineering degrees it offers through the University Center of North Puget Sound on the EvCC campus.

“If you want to make a change to an individual’s life, an investment in education will make a difference,” Floyd said.

His own upbringing is proof of that. Floyd’s parents didn’t go to school beyond the eighth grade, he said, yet they insisted that he and his three brothers all go to college and graduate. They did, and they’re all now in leadership roles in their respective careers, he said.

Floyd said he was lucky to get a full college scholarship.

“I benefited in a very significant way,” he said.

Gifts to institutions do serve to help the community, Floyd said, but those dollars are getting stretched thin. The steep increases in tuition that students and their families have faced for years are a tremendous financial burden and unsustainable. Institutions must consider those costs, Floyd said, otherwise “we will be priced out of higher education if we don’t act.”

Floyd is involved in state-level talks to address tuition costs at Washington’s public colleges and universities, which have exploded as the state cut its support of higher education by 52 percent.

“Students and parents need relief from these double-digit tuition hikes,” Floyd said.

EvCC Associated Student Body President Teresa Weldon spoke to that issue. Many students often must choose between paying tuition or paying rent.

“I know a lot of students who are living in their cars,” she said. “They don’t know where they’ll get their next meal.”

She said her first EvCC Foundation scholarship of $300 seems modest, but it meant she could buy gas to get to classes, which led to her academic success. Any scholarship amount makes a huge difference in student achievement since it alleviates stress and helps students meet their goals.

“I feel like Everett Community College is my family,” Weldon said. “I know there are a lot of people in my corner rooting for me.”

Floyd said WSU is doing its part on costs this year by holding tuition increases to the rate of inflation, or 2 percent. He wants that to serve as an example of how WSU will fit into Snohomish County.

“We’ll bring that principle to this community,” he said. “We’ll be very good partners and very good neighbors.”

Kurt Batdorf: 425-339-3102; kbatdorf@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.