The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce provides opportunities to effectively promote your business and create new business connections, Photo Courtesy: Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce
Joining the local Chamber of Commerce is one of the first things that many businesses do when they are ready to form a new business or move their operation to a new area.
The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce represents the business community in more ways than just providing members with important opportunities for networking. The Chamber is your business advocate, helping you to grow through working with other local leaders and governments towards a stable and supportive business environment.
The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce provides opportunities for business networking and promotion. Photo credit: Radley Muller Photography.
And, when it comes to opportunities to effectively promote your business and create new business connections, the Chamber is ready to respond to that need as well.
Most recently, The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce partnered with MicroNet, Inc. a leading provider of online solutions for member-based associations including chambers of commerce.
What does that partnership mean to you and your business or organization as a member of the Chamber? You get exclusive access to specialized tools through a new online Membership Information Center. These new features include everything from a new membership listing that you can update, joining interest groups and committees, to networking with other members through the online system.
Once you log in to your online account, be sure to update your listing completely and accurately with the most current information to achieve high visibility and business exposure. You’ll see coupons and special deals from your fellow chamber members as well as have the ability to share your own deals and coupons.
Have a job opening? These new online tools give you the ability to post your job to get the exposure you need to fill the position.
Quick and easy networking with others in the chamber is what’s best about this new tool. You can check out others’ listings as you look for services you need along with any other jobs, deals and events going on!
Log in today to start accessing your organization today.
Through field trips, the Leadership Whatcom participants get hands-on experience in leadership and the community.
“It’s great to get to look back and see how careers have blossomed,” says Guy Occhiogrosso, of the growth of the Leadership Whatcom program.
With a history rooted in leading a community working together to make things happen, the Leadership Whatcom program works to create solid leadership skills through real-life examples in the community to continue to build and support future business and community leaders.
Leadership Whatcom creates quality leaders through knowledge, guidance and support. Photo courtesy: Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber.
Originally started by the Whatcom Coalition of Healthy Communities to follow a historical legacy of involvement and activity in the community, Leadership Whatcom transitioned to the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce. Though the program has seen changes since, just a year ago the Chamber turned to one of the original program designers and added elements to make it a complete leadership package.
Framed in an adult education style, the program is a start-to-finish leadership program that takes attendees through leadership skills building, community awareness and local leadership with an added the element of safe and honest communication practice.
“The program is structured to educate participants in the varying skill sets of different types of leadership, framing it within the current issues of the community and then talking about it in a safe environment,” says Guy. “It’s a truly reflective opportunity when you’re building a community conversation on a specific issue.”
Guy goes on to explain that the program is for anyone that wants to invest in themselves to become a leader in the workplace, community, church, or organization. It’s a program very specific to the broad sense of leadership.
“We need quality leaders,” says Guy. “We need to build them up and support them. We need to build communication through the noise.”
Through field trips, the Leadership Whatcom participants get hands-on experience in leadership and the community.
Part of the program includes trips to a local businesses or organizations that exemplify the leadership skills and qualities discussed in Leadership Whatcom in some way. Recently the group of participants visited Trinity Western University. During this time, they discussed mission-based leadership skills. As a part of the field trip they were able to see these leadership skills in action, a truly educational, hands-on moment.
Through the exploration of leadership skills within the program, the participants also follow and engage in one issue annually. Last year, Leadership Whatcom participants discussed, followed and engaged on the issue of housing, from housing accessibility to housing affordability. And, this year, the issue they are following and engaging is jobs, from job creation to job retention. Throughout the sessions over eleven months, the group learns to work with complex issues such as these through leveraging community assets and working with unlikely partners. They continue to apply what they’ve learned to these issues to be innovative in what it takes to create healthy communities.
Leadership Whatcom participants also explore the meaning of the difference between being an effective leader and a reflective leader. They discuss the meaning of taking a step back and taking a fresh perspective-driven look at any given situation, whether in business or in every day living. And, by putting these skills into action, Leadership Whatcom participants learn the meaning of carrying on community stewardship to protect and improve quality of life in the community.
Participants benefit from the opportunity to discuss frankly and openly about the issues and leadership skills within Leadership Whatcom. Photo courtesy: Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber.
Each Leadership Whatcom applicant that applies to the program is reviewed and carefully selected. The program draws on experience and diversity in terms of demographics, experience and values.
Applicants are evaluated on their commitment to the community, interest in developing and applying their leadership skills, as well as the ability to fully attend and participate in the program.
At the end of the program, the new graduates are honored at a short reception where they share their plans to actively participate in Whatcom County with their peers and audience members.
As the program continues to grow, the alumni from each year will continue to add to the development, conversation and growth of Leadership Whatcom.
“We are one community. At the end of the day, we are the ones who get to build up this community,” says Guy.
Members of the Tough Enough to Wear Pink committee and staff members of the Northwest Washington Fair and PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center pose with the big check. From left to right: Susan Clegg, Marv Tjoelker, Linda Tjoelker, Marie Storms, Carol Brumet, Karen Timmer, Karen Vander Geissen, Jim Vander Geissen and Jim Baron. Photo courtesy: Lynden PRCA Rodeo.
The contribution is the most ever raised through the rodeo’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign. Contestants, volunteers and spectators in the Lynden PRCA Rodeo, conducted Aug. 16-17 during the Northwest Washington Fair, wore pink shirts during competition to raise awareness of breast cancer while local rodeo volunteers conducted fundraisers for the Cancer Center.
“What separates this year’s success is the collaboration among hard-working committee members, generous sponsor contributions and the administrative support from the Northwest Washington Fair/Lynden PRCA Rodeo,” said Marie Storms, chair of this year’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink committee. “I want to extend my gratitude for the unwavering dedication from the TETWP committee members and give special recognition to our sponsors: Samson’s Estate Winery, Janele Haan-Banner Bank and Mount Baker Rotary Club.”
The 2016 TETWP committee included Jim and Karen Vander Giessen, Bob and Cheryl Fraser, Audie Hendricks, Seki Vander Giessen, Brian Timmer, Jeremy Vreiling, Karen and Darrel Timmer, Brenda Elenbaas-Hickey, Nicole Ames, Jennifer Edin, Renee and John Giliam, Kent Roorda, Larry and Dee Dee Tjoelker, Linda and Marv Tjoelker, Molly Simon and Tresie Wiersma.
The Cancer Center uses 100 percent of donations for patient support services and research.
Since its inception in 2004, Tough Enough to Wear Pink has empowered rodeos and western events in North America to focus attention on the need for a cure. The campaign has raised more than $24 million for breast cancer research and patient care. For more information, visit www.toughenoughtowearpink.com.
Winner of the Inspirational Person award, Alex Ramel. Photo courtesy: Sustainable Connections.
On November 3, Kilowatt Kitty joined over 100 Bellingham Energy Prize supporters and partners to celebrate the campaign’s successes and accomplishments over the last four years. Energy Awards were given to the incredible partners, projects, and people involved in the campaign and the winner of the Trek bike drawing was announced!
inspirational Project winners, Jeff Aslan & Annie Honrath’s certified net zero home. Photo courtesy: Sustainable Connections.
The Bellingham Energy Prize has generated enormous community participation, with over 1,000 people signing up directly on the Energy Prize website and many more residents participating in energy savings programs, like the Community Energy Challenge. It has also solicited wide support from the Bellingham business community, with dozens of local partners like Kulshan Brewing, DeWard & Bode, and the Community Food Co-op hosting events, educating employees, and helping to promote the prize.
On Thursday evening, the Energy Year Celebration honored the individual people, projects, and partners that made the Bellingham Energy Prize such a success. Bellingham Public Schools won most inspirational partner with Sanitary Service Company and the City of Bellingham also nominated. Jeff Aslan & Annie Honrath’s certified net zero home won most inspirational project with The Leopold’s energy retrofits and Solarize Whatcom being close runners up. For most inspirational person, Alex Ramel won with Mark Gardner and Freeman (Fritz) Anthony recognized as well. Kilowatt Kitty also drew the winner for the $1,100 Trek bike giveaway, community member Renee Collins.
These energy award prize winners honored at the Energy Year Celebration. Photo courtesy: Sustainable Connections.
The Bellingham Energy Prize has been pawsitively incredible, bringing a fantastic amount of community organizations, businesses, and people together. The campaign which could win Bellingham $5 million, is currently holding strong at 4th place out of 50 cities nationally, and will be completed at the end of December 2016. Anyone who has yet to sign up and create their own energy savings plan can visit BellinghamEnergyPrize.org to do so through the end of December. As Kilowatt Kitty says, “It’s never too late to start saving! Right meow!”
Gala attendees enjoying the program. Photo Credit: Phil Rose.
Robyn J. from Lummi Nation School
Grace N. from Mount Baker High School
Haley W. from Mount Baker Middle School
Millie P. from Bernice Vossbeck Elementary
Brandon Z.
Over 90 poems were submitted by K-12 Youth throughout Whatcom County. Development & Outreach Coordinator, Iris Maute-Gibson stated, “The voices were diverse and messages hopeful. The poetry contest was added to the longstanding Peace Builder Awards to ensure that voices of young people were heard as our families, our community, and our country work toward peace.”
Tickets are $50 and can be purchased until Nov. 8 at whatcomdrc.org, by calling 360-676-0122 or at the WDRC. In addition to awards presentations and poetry contest readings, the event includes a chef-inspired dinner, live music, silent auction, and more. Proceeds benefit the WDRC and their mission to provide and promote constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict.
Scratch and Peck Feeds specializes in producing high quality soy free and whole grain feeds that are Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Animal Welfare Approved. Photo courtesy: Scratch and Peck Feeds.
Demand for clean, wholesome animal feed is on the rise as more consumers seek organic food for their chickens, ducks, and livestock. To meet the demand, Scratch and Peck Feeds is expanding its operations and relocating to Burlington in early 2017.
The new facility in Skagit County is more than double the square footage of the current mill and production work area. The space includes the addition of indoor and outdoor silos for grain and ingredient storage. This new location and facility accommodates the steady growth the company has been experiencing.
Scratch and Peck’s sustainable business practices support local agriculture, the community, and the planet. Photo courtesy: Scratch and Peck Feeds.
“We are grateful to have found the right place after a long process of searching for a larger facility that allows us to continue growing as a business,” said Diana Ambauen-Meade, owner and founder of Scratch and Peck Feeds. “Ensuring that we have a safe and functional work environment is a top priority. The size of this new facility gives us room to increase our efficiency and productivity to meet increased sales, while also better serving our employees and customers.”
A family-owned company founded in 2010, Scratch and Peck Feeds was the first feed mill in North America to become both Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. This year it also gained Animal Welfare Approved status on its feeds, supplements, and treats.
“We have been honored by our customer loyalty all these years,” Ambauen-Meade said. “Our customers have been instrumental in helping us change the way food is made – they are truly dedicated to organic agriculture and more transparency throughout our food systems.
Scratch and Peck Feeds’ goal is: Happy planet. Happy Farmers. Happy animals. Photo courtesy, Scratch and Peck Feeds.
“With growth comes new challenges, and we are looking forward to addressing those in the new space by offering a shorter production window for our wholesale and online orders, increasing automation in our production system, and adding more warehouse space. Not to mention, being in Skagit County locates us closer to many of our organic grain producers and farmers,” she added. “We achieved our goal of finding all these components in one space, making this an exciting and much anticipated time for our company.”
The search for the new space, located in Burlington off Interstate 5, took several years. The facility is 40,000 square feet compared to the current mill and production space at 3883 Hammer Drive in Bellingham, which is 15,000 square feet. The new space will bring increased automation for milling feed and bagging all products. There are seven grain silos in total, loading docks for loading and unloading trucks, larger office space, more electrical capacity, and yard space for truck maneuvering.
Scratch and Peck Feeds specializes in producing high quality soy free and whole grain feeds that are Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Animal Welfare Approved. Feeds for chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigs and goats are available, as well as supplements and treats for chickens and ducks. By buying grains directly from regional farms, Scratch and Peck’s sustainable business practices support local agriculture, the community, and the planet. Happy planet. Happy Farmers. Happy animals. Because … You are what your animals eat!
Teresa Remple cuts fabric with curves in mind. Photo credit: Kristin Foster, courtesy Downtown Bellingham Partnership.
For some women, fashion can feel like wearing a straitjacket. Ever since Twiggy came on the scene during the Swinging Sixties, women’s clothing sizes have shrunk, despite actual waist and hip sizes increasing with American women. Local clothing creator Teresa Remple sews, manufactures and sells elegant fashions for women whose bodies recall Venus of Willendorf or sometimes referred to as a goddess figure.
The tagline for Teresa’s boutique, Texture reads, “Clothing with a Conscience.” When I asked Teresa about this brand, she listed off the ethical practices associated with her clothing line and shop.
Teresa Remple cuts fabric with curves in mind. Photo credit: Kristin Foster, courtesy Downtown Bellingham Partnership.
“We care deeply about women and want to support women in feeling positive about their bodies. And one part of this is to make clothing that fits a curvier shape. We create as many local jobs as possible (garments are constructed in Bellingham and Seattle). And we use as many scraps as we can, so that we send less to the landfill.”
I met with Teresa at her boutique on North State Street where we sat on a cozy couch and discussed ecologically-sound fashion. Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, Teresa began playing with fabric in 1999.
“We care deeply about women,” says Teresa Remple who creates clothing for curvier women. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
“I’ve always been interested in textiles and when I learned about hemp fabric I invested in a whole roll to play with along with old chenille bedspreads that I found at Value Village. I hand dyed both of those fabrics and combined them together to make skirts and apron tops. I just really like natural fabrics. They are comfortable, they decompose and they can be grown and manufactured in sustainable ways.”
This led Teresa to create the market skirt and four other items which she sold at farmers markets throughout the region.
Teresa recalls, “We started selling at the Farmer’s Market in Bellingham in 2001 and added Ballard (and for a short while, Edmonds) to our Farmer’s Market presence.”
Teresa Remple models the Comfy Cami and the Gusset Capris. Photo courtesy: Teresa Remple.
Ten years later, in 2009, Teresa opened her boutique Texture at the North State Street location, one block away from another garment-centered business, Ragfinery (which opened in 2014). One can’t help but notice the soft fabrics in eye-catching colors as they walk through the shop door—clothing created from organic cotton and hemp fabrics.
And while her boutique is local, most of her customers reside in Seattle, Portland, and other urban areas in the Pacific Northwest. During the interview, Teresa mentioned that she currently has around 90 wholesale customers which include mostly boutiques and two online companies.
Teresa met the wholesale buyers at clothing conferences over the years. In the past, she traveled as far as the District of Columbia and Chicago to promote her clothing lines, but since that involved too much travel, Teresa currently sticks to regional conferences.
Teresa Remple sells her clothing line to 90 boutiques and two online stores. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Since she works with high-end and ecologically-friendly fabrics, she tends to attract customers who enjoy the Pacific Northwest fashion which combines soft and flowing with the urban outdoor look (think JCrew with curves). Her dresses look equally well with sandals as they do knee-high boots, as modeled by her local customers.
She begins planning for a season 10 months in advance. This includes taking orders from wholesalers, sketching the clothing line, creating samples, and then sending those samples to regional seamstress shops.
Teresa has expanded from creating clothing lines from two to four seasons. Her clothing ranges from extra small to extra large, with the exception of the Comfy Skirt which also comes in extra-extra large.
Find curvy clothing on Texture on North State Street. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Besides the boutique, Teresa still promotes at crafts fairs. “We have also been vending at street fairs and craft shows. We are still vending at the Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle and Crafty Wonderland in Portland. But we did the Green Festival Circuit (SF, DC, Chicago and Manhattan), the Renegade Craft Show, Folklife, Bumbershoot, and many more,” says Teresa.
Teresa features other regional clothing designers with a conscience at Texture, including Prairie Underground (Seattle), Nancy LaHatt (Bellingham), Sown Designs (Bellingham), Lynzee Lynx (Portland), Betsy and Iya (Portland) and Flipside Hats (Portland).
While many of us would love to buy local and still keep the cost of clothing affordable, Teresa mentioned the sales rack in the back corner of the store. A colorful array of skirts, dresses, and other items range from 30 to 80 percent off for those money-conscious fashionistas.
“Clothing with a Conscience” is for sale at Texture on North State Street. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Teresa’s future aspirations revolve around designing new fabric and playing more with stripes. Ultimately, like any true business woman, she designs with the customer’s preference in mind. She won’t be creating any haute couture.
“I have sketches here and there. But if you want to be successful, you have to listen to the customer and design what they want to buy,” she emphasizes.
For now the color of the fabric and width of the stripes matters most, along with designing curves with a conscience.
Texture
1425 N. State Street in Bellingham
360-733-3351
Open Monday – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
“We are pleased to announce that our Man and Woman of the Year are Chuck Robinson and Dee Robinson of Village Books and Paper Dreams. This is the first time that we’ve honored a husband and wife as the Man of the Year and Woman of the Year. It’s also the first time that our Man of the Year and Woman of the Year represent the same business,” said Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry President & CEO Guy Occhiogrosso.
Dee and Chuck Robinson, owners of Village Books, believe that buying locally brings prosperity to the entire community.
Chuck and Dee opened their bookstore in 1980 and reinvigorated the Fairhaven business community. “It’s amazing what one store can do for an entire community,” said Occhiogrosso. “Not only did the store bring jobs, Chuck and Dee instilled that ‘shop local, buy local’ attitude long before that mantra was popular.”
Honorees for Man of the Year and Woman of the Year are chosen by a select group of community leaders including past recipients, members of the chamber board, members of the community and elected officials.
The Man of the Year and Woman of the Year are lifetime achievement awards. Recipients are honored based on their individual contributions to the community in a number of areas including their civic, business, humanitarian, cultural and educational activities in Whatcom County.
Chuck and Dee Robinson are celebrating 35 years since they moved to Bellingham and opened Fairhaven’s beloved Village Books.
Man and Woman of the Year, Small and Large Business of the Year, Nonprofit and Green Business of the Year, the Young Professional of the Year, the Millie DeFord Chamber Ambassador of the Year and Tourism Business of the Year will be awarded at the Chamber’s 12th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 1, at Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa from 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Tickets to the Annual Award Dinner are available on the Chamber’s website, Bellingham.com. The cost to attend is $65 for members and $75 for non-members.
Anna and Cristos hand select and personally enjoy the specialty food items offered at Old World Deli. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.
House roasted pastrami, corned beef and roast beef are just a few of the delicious meats made in house at Bellingham’s Old World Deli. You can find these delicious items on the menu and in the sandwich box lunches on the catering menu. Their Antipasti platter comes complete with Batali’s Artisan Cured Meats Salumi, artisan cheeses, chevre stuffed peppadews, Italian tuna stuffed peperoncini and blue cheese stuffed dates.
Old World Deli, on North State Street, serves lunch and dinner, hosts small reserved parties and provides catering to events. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.
Old World Deli offers several different catering options that can be enjoyed at office meetings, special social events or even right on site for a casual mix-and-mingle with friends and family. A section of Old World Deli can be reserved for an easy social gathering accompanied by the restaurant’s delicious food platters. Try a sampling of artisan cheeses served with grapes and other antipasti items while sipping wine. “Thursday is a great night for it,” shares owner, Anna Adams.
In addition to the house roasted sliced meats, Old World Deli also offers ready to eat duck confit, smoked duck breast, as well as fresh sausage made weekly. Anna and her husband Christos have been consistently adding to Old World Deli wares since they first opened in 2007. “Our bacon is amazing,” shares Anna. “We make our own.”
Old World Deli offers a wide array of thoughtfully selected specialty food items great for home cooking or given as gifts. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.
What makes Old World Deli so great is that Anna and Christos hand select and personally enjoy the specialty food items they carry both in the deli and the market. Often the items they provide have found their way into Anna and Christos’ home. One such item is a dill and caper relish that can be found on the market shelf. Anna combines a tiny dash of mayo with sour cream and a little bit of the relish. “It makes the best tartar sauce,” Anna shares. “This is a staple in our house now.”
Market items grace the shelves all along the wall in Old World Deli, organized with like items and packed in rows. Anna shares a variety of favorite products found in the store, including Villa Jerada’s aromatic spice rubs for chicken, fish and pork. These spice infusions are inspired by owner Mehdi Bourada’s mother. They also sell seasonal preserves made locally on Orcas Island. On the shelves are olive oils, balsamic vinegars, small bags of pasta, sauces, canned fish such as wild caught smoked sardines, preserves and salts. “The olives definitely are very popular,” Anna shares. “Put them in drinks or eat them.”
Artisan cheeses and meats are available for sandwiches, platters and catered gatherings. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.
Market items can be enjoyed as snacks, home cooked in meals and most definitely given as gifts to friends and family. During the holiday months you can even find Panettoni, an Italian sweet bread, and Panforte, a very dense fruit, nut and spice cake which dates back to 13th century Sienna.
Old World Deli also offers a great selection of cocktail fixings, vermouth, port, apertifs and wine. Drinking vinegars, bitters and cocktail mixers are a great way to jazz up your bar and they mix well with sparkling San Pellegrino. Vermouths are unique in flavor and low in alcohol so they make a great social drink that can be enjoyed throughout the night. “It’s something you can have before or after a meal,” Anna shares. “We have a ton of really cool vermouths.” Bitters and drinking vinegars can be mixed with soda or sparkling water. In the wine selection you will find unique, interesting, quality wines that you don’t find everywhere. There are plenty of options at a good price value. If you are looking for a suitable wine and aren’t quite sure what to try, let Christos know what you like and he will direct you to some options.
Old World Deli is a great place to find vermouth, bitters and olives to go in a cocktail. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.
For catering, any of the sandwich box lunches, salad box lunches, platters and sides can be delivered to your event. We’re talking spicy Italian subs, chicken pesto with roasted bell peppers and house roast beef with horseradish sour cream, to name a few. There are eight choices for salad box lunches, from your classic Caesar to a candied pecan with mixed greens, grapes and chevre. Side salads include German potato salad, cous cous with walnuts and artichoke hearts or coleslaw with walnuts and cranberries. Artisan cheese and meat platters grace buffet tables on white ceramic plates. Anna has even been able to provide a few custom catering options as long as it is within the realm of what they are already capable of.
All of Old World Deli’s available catering options are regularly available for purchase on their deli menu so it’s easy to try out one of the options for lunch or dinner to see if it suits your taste.
If you see a market or deli item and you aren’t sure what to prepare it with, Anna and Christos are a great resource for how to serve, or cook with, any of their products. Having served Bellingham’s crowd with the specialty items enjoyed in their own home, the two are ready to share what they know. There’s really nothing better than being able to share in the spirit of friends and family and Anna and Christos love being a part of that.
Whatcom Community College will offer its first applied baccalaureate degree, a bachelor of applied science (BAS) in IT Networking for fall semester 2017. Eligible students, including those with an associate degree in an IT-related field, should begin planning now for the competitive entry process, which opens Jan. 17, 2017. Program administrators recommend students meet with a WCC advisor to learn more about the program, career options and the enrollment process. To schedule an appointment, email BAS-ITnetworking@whatcom.ctc.edu or call 360-383-3080.
Whatcom Community College to offer bachelor of applied science degree in IT Networking. Photo courtesy: Whatcom Community College.
The degree addresses the growing need for qualified IT networking personnel with enhanced hands-on skills and knowledge in cloud computing, mobile technologies and industrial control systems. The new applied baccalaureate degree is the only one of its kind in the northwest corner of the state and further confirms Whatcom’s stature as a regional and national leader in computer information systems (CIS) and cybersecurity education. The program has capacity for 24 students next fall. Plans are underway to also offer the degree online beginning fall 2018, providing even greater flexibility for working adults. WCC will work closely with area colleges, including Bellingham Technical College, Northwest Indian College and Skagit Valley College, to provide access to students who have earned associate’s degrees in IT.
BAS graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce as network administrators and related job categories such as computer and information systems managers or computer network architects. The new IT Networking BAS will build upon Whatcom’s well-established reputation for excellence in the IT networking field and its current curriculum which trains students on emerging cybersecurity topics. In addition to the BAS degree, WCC offers two-year degrees in computer information systems and cybersecurity (with opportunities to transfer to regional universities) as well as certificates. WCC is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance 2-Year Education (CAE2Y) and is the lead institution for CyberWatch West, a National Science Foundation regional center for cybersecurity education. For more information regarding Whatcom’s CIS and cybersecurity programs, visit whatcom.edu/cis.
About Whatcom:
Whatcom Community College is a regionally and nationally accredited two-year college with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 11,000 students annually. On its campus in Bellingham and through online courses, Whatcom offers transfer and professional-technical degrees as well as basic education, job skills training, and community and continuing education classes. The College will offer a BAS degree in IT Networking, beginning fall 2017. Based on student outcomes, the Aspen Institute ranks Whatcom among the top nine community and technical colleges in Washington state and among the top 150 in the nation. For more information, visit whatcom.edu.
Kevin Wiebe is a Ferndale native. Although he graduated from Ferndale High School, he admits he wasn't a model student. His teachers and administrators...
