The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) plays a game-changing role in the lives of thousands of Opportunity Scholars across Washington state.

A year ago, no one could predict the type of change that would occur for our state, nation and the world. The effects of COVID-19, the national reckoning on racism in the wake of George Floyd’s death and a contentious election year have all added to making 2020 a year we’ll not soon forget.

But the good news is WSOS was created to respond to moments like this. The pandemic didn’t create our state’s workforce crisis, but it has escalated its impact. Similarly, the impacts of racism are certainly not new, but the spotlight is focused on the urgency of addressing the problem. WSOS is a critical tool to reimagine the future.

A recent report from the Partnership for Learning found that the impacts of COVID-19 are and will be felt most acutely by the communities who already faced systemic barriers to economic mobility—people of color, young people and those without a post-high-school credential. These are exactly the communities who will be critical to meeting the workforce demands of the future—and they’re also exactly the students we seek to serve at WSOS. Not only will WSOS help us recover from our current economic crisis, but our Scholars will also ensure that Washington rebuilds in a more inclusive direction, where we don’t continue to leave communities behind.

WSOS is a model like nothing else in this country. It’s an innovative, public-private collaboration where industry invests in our community alongside the state. In a time when it seems we can agree on so little across the aisle in politics, this program has bipartisan support.

Because of the success of our flagship bachelor’s degree program, the Legislature entrusted WSOS with new areas of impact. We expanded last year to support students pursuing apprenticeships, certificates and associate degrees through the Career and Technical Scholarship.

And I’m proud to share that in 2020, we are launching our newest program, the Rural Jobs Initiative. Through this strategy, we’ll target dollars for rural students who face extraordinary barriers to education.

Now more than ever, Opportunity Scholars need our support. This scholarship has the power to change individuals, families and communities. Join us in reimagining the Washington of tomorrow.

Read the Report now.

 

Kimber Connors
Executive Director