South Seattle College Receives National Award For Student Success Initiatives

South Seattle College has been named a recipient of the inaugural Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) Award for Institutional Effectiveness, recognizing the college’s leadership in expanding TRIO Student Support Services practices to better support students across the institution and the broader community.

Supported by the ECMC Foundation, the award includes a $10,000 grant and recognizes colleges that have expanded TRIO Student Support Services practices such as mentoring, academic coaching, and holistic advising into institution-wide systems that improve student persistence and completion.

At South Seattle College, those efforts have translated into measurable results. Students participating in TRIO programs have seen significantly higher retention rates compared to their peers, while broader initiatives have increased engagement through early alert systems and coordinated advising.

“This recognition reflects decades of intentional work to center opportunity and student success,” said Sarah Sabay, director of grants at South Seattle College.

The college has extended TRIO-informed practices beyond a small group of students through major initiatives like the Seattle Promise program and the Starfish Early Alert system, allowing thousands of students to access coordinated academic and support services.

“By scaling TRIO-informed practices through programs like Seattle Promise, we are ensuring that every student, especially those from low-income households, has access to the guidance and support needed to succeed,” Sabay said.

Seattle Promise, launched through a partnership between Seattle Colleges, Seattle Public Schools, and the City of Seattle following the 2018 Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy and renewed in 2025, offers eligible graduates up to two years or 90 credits of free college tuition.

By expanding these support systems to serve entire student populations rather than small cohorts, South Seattle College has significantly increased its impact. At the college, completion rates for Seattle Promise students have risen from 28 percent to 54 percent.

“By integrating TRIO practices into large-scale initiatives like Seattle Promise, South Seattle College has expanded impact from hundreds of students to thousands,” said Aaron Brown, executive vice president of the Council for Opportunity in Education. “This is a powerful example of how institutional commitment can transform access into lasting success.”

Leaders say the college’s approach reflects a broader shift toward embedding student support systems into the foundation of how institutions operate, rather than treating them as standalone programs.

“South’s approach highlights the importance of systems-level thinking,” said Nicole Norfles, director of program practice and innovation at the Council for Opportunity in Education. “Their use of early alert systems, holistic advising, and cross-sector partnerships shows how TRIO principles can be embedded into the infrastructure of student success.”

Serving one of the most diverse student populations in the Pacific Northwest, South Seattle College continues to play a key role in expanding educational and economic opportunity. Partnerships with Seattle Public Schools, the University of Washington, and community organizations help create pathways from high school through college completion and beyond.

“South Seattle College represents the future of student success in higher education,” said COE President Kimberly Jones. “Their work demonstrates how institutions can scale proven TRIO strategies to serve entire communities, particularly in urban environments like Seattle.”