Partner Spotlight: Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Located in Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) was founded in 1949 and is the only public institute of technology in the state of Washington.

Our mission is “to prepare students for today’s careers and tomorrow’s opportunities,” and we provide students with the latest cutting edge skills relevant to today’s workplace. We currently offer six bachelor’s degrees (with more in the pipeline), 38 associate degrees and more than 80 professional certificates in 39 areas of study, including STEM-focused programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

Last year, LWTech organized training programs into seven new schools to better help students see their pathway to graduation. These schools are:

• The School of Business and Entrepreneurship
• The School of Health Sciences
• The School of Information Technology
• The School of Engineering, Science, and Math
• The School of Manufacturing
• The School of Transportation Technology
• The School of Design and Applied Arts

The college also continues to offer, programs in Environmental Horticulture, Culinary Arts, and Early Childhood Education.

What role does LWTech play in the community?

LWTech directly serves the communities of Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue, Kenmore, Mercer Island, Bothell, Woodinville, Carnation, Duvall, North Bend, Fall City, Sammamish, Issaquah, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, Clyde Hill, and Medina, as well as serving students from as far away as Monroe and Des Moines, and students from around the world.

We strive to fulfill the workforce needs of our region by providing quality, hands-on training in an open enrollment environment. LWTech is recognized by students, business, community, and peer organizations for innovative workforce education because we:

• Value diversity and welcome students from all backgrounds and levels of educational attainment.
• Create educational opportunities and support for students to achieve success and prepare for life-long learning.
• Offer students choices to achieve their education goals through applied, pathway-based education from basic education and certificate programs to baccalaureate degrees.
• Teach using the latest industry standards and cross-discipline approaches to prepare students for immediate and future employment.
• Empower faculty and staff to reach their potential in a supportive environment that values collaboration, transparency, respect, and integrity.
• Work in partnership with business and industry as well as local and global organizations to foster economic vitality and create prosperous communities.
• Thrive in state-of-the-art facilities that use the latest learning and business technologies to enhance the delivery of education and our internal operations.
• Provides easy access to information about several federal and state funded Workforce Development programs through on-going external outreach at a wide array of community-based organizations on the Eastside.  (Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish)

How do you get this work done?

At LWTech, we provide our students the tools they need for success. Over the past few years the college has implemented several programs aimed at ensuring student success:

• Personal Admission Coaching:All prospective students can access an admission coach who will help them navigate the intake process. Coaching happens via email, chat, phone, or in person, as preferred by the student. At the end of the coaching session, the student will have a personalized intake form that lists out their next steps in the enrollment process.
• Guided Self Placement: Students needing Math and English assessment prior to enrollment have access to a free, low-stress assessment tool and individual assistance in interpreting the results and then selecting the class that aligns with the results, opting one level higher for a challenge, or one level lower for more support.
• Case Managed Advising: All degree or certificate-seeking students are assigned a student success navigator to help them reach their educational goals; additional support services are available for Veterans, students with disabilities, low-income students, and first-generation college students.
• Open Educational Resources: All math classes and all classes required for the Pre-Engineering and the Biology transfer degrees are taught using Open Educational Resources. This means almost no textbooks costs.

In particular, the Workforce Development Office offers several federal and state-funded programs that may provide assistance with tuition, books, advising, career exploration, and individualized support services, depending on qualifications. Want to see if you are eligible for any of our WFD programs? Take our Start Next Quarter survey at www.lwtech.edu/wfd

• Basic Food, Employment, and Training (BFET):The Basic Food, Employment, and Training program offers book and supply funding up to $250 per quarter, childcare assistance through Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) Working Connections Childcare, and advising to students who are receiving federal Basic Food Assistance (food stamps).
• Opportunity Grant: The Opportunity Grant program offers up to 45 credits of tuition and fee assistance, up to $1,000 per year in book assistance, and advising to low-income students pursuing high-wage, high-demand occupations.
• Worker Retraining: The Worker Retraining program offers tuition assistance, career counseling, advising, priority class registration, and other benefits to individuals in career transition such as laid-off workers, displaced homemakers, vulnerable workers, and formerly self-employed individuals. Military veterans discharged in the last 48 months, and active duty military with separation orders may be eligible for help with the cost of books.
• WorkFirst: The WorkFirst program offers support to students who are referred from DSHS, receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and pursuing a Vocational certificate or Basic Skills/ESL training. Benefits may include tuition and book assistance, individualized advising, support in navigating TANF (DSHS), and job search assistance.
• Employment Resource Center: The Employment Resource Center offers: job search resources; assistance with job searches; online job postings for students, alumni, and community members; and workshops on choosing a career, resume writing, and interviewing.

What are ways that people can get involved with LWTech?

Donations of Money or Items

The LWTech Foundation (the Foundation) is the philanthropic arm of the college and it awards more than $130,000 in student scholarships annually. The Foundation also provides funds for college activities such as fairs and festivals of an educational or cultural nature. Awards are also made for faculty and staff excellence or to support attendance at professional development activities. There are also several student emergency funds. Your donations support all these Foundation efforts.

Each year the Foundation also accepts a variety of non-cash donations on behalf of the college. These have included automobiles, computers, high tech machinery, books, and other items that make it possible for our students to receive the most up-to-date training. The process is simple and our staff is happy to provide a tax-deductible contribution for you.

Lend Your Time and Expertise

Advisory committees are made up of volunteers who give their time, talent and expertise to help improve, update and strengthen the professional-technical programs they serve. Committees serve specific training programs (e.g. Automotive or Nursing) and assist the college in:

• Curriculum design
• Planning for facilities and equipment budgets
• Maintaining instructional quality
• Identifying instructional delivery
• Student employment

How will being a part of Eastside Pathways make a difference for LWTech?

Maintaining a robust connection to Eastside Pathways is important to LWTech’s commitment to serving low-income, under-resourced families through the partnership between community resources and education. We believe the partnership strengthens both organizations, which in turn allows us to better support students in preparing for jobs and careers. This collaborative partnership enables us to connect with a multitude of community-based organizations and provides wrap-around support for families striving to reach their educational and professional goals.  Additionally, LWTech aligns with Eastside Pathways’ Collective Impact Model which uses data driven best practices to impact change, help students to overcome barriers and close the achievement gap.  In summary, LWTech’s partnership with Eastside Pathways allows us to be part of a robust network of resources working together to support Eastside families.

 

 

Article written by by Amber K.P. Hisatake. M.Ed., recruitment, outreach & employment coordinator- Workforce Development at Lake Washington Technical Institute