Student at the Physical Therapy workshop completes an exercise using a wheelchair
Spring is in full bloom, and so is Learning with Leaders! Last week, we held our final Learning with Leaders event of the 2024–2025 series at Whatcom Community College (WCC).
Students had the opportunity to engage in 9 different workshops, ranging from creating binary code using beads in the CIS/Cybersecurity workshop to designing posters using Adobe Illustrator in the Visual Communications workshop. We welcomed approximately 110 students from 7 schools across Whatcom and Skagit Counties, including Bellingham High School, Burlington-Edison High School, Ferndale High School, La Conner High School, Lynden High School, Mount Baker High School and State Street High School. With the support of 24 workshop facilitators and 10 dedicated volunteers, it was a transformative experience for students!
“[My favorite part was] testing lung capacity, it was fun trying to get different results. I learned how to do that and how to draw blood/test blood pressure.”
At the Physical Therapy workshop, a student catches a ball as she balances on a “Bosu Ball”
The event kicked off at Syre Auditorium, where students enjoyed bagels from the Bagelry and received resource folders filled with post-secondary planning materials. Nubia Robles, Director of Outreach for Whatcom Community College, Kerri Holferty, Vice President of Student Services at WCC, and Ashley DeLatour, FuturesNW’s Executive Director of Programs, delivered an inspiring welcome before students headed to their first workshops of the day.
Volunteers led students across WCC’s campus to attend the workshops they signed up for prior to the event. Each workshop was facilitated by local industry experts and WCC faculty, providing students with guidance, real-world experiences and connections to professionals in their fields of interest.
In the Center for Internet Security/Cybersecurity workshop, students explored how computers communicate with networks and even created binary code using beads. They also learned from Bo English-Wiczling from Oracle about certifications and job opportunities in IT and cybersecurity.
In the Visual Communications workshop, students created their own posters and branding using Adobe Illustrator and watched software demonstrations.
Students complete the online lab activity in the CIS/Cybersecurity workshop
At the Visual Communications workshop, a student designs their own poster
Students interested in healthcare had the opportunity to explore Medical Assisting, where they practiced drawing blood using fake manikin arms, listening to heart and lung sounds, and testing lung capacity. In the Nursing workshop, students practiced flushing an IV, inserting a nasogastric (NG) tube into manikins, measuring wounds, and listening to heart and lung sounds on a pediatric manikin. Meanwhile, those attending the Physical Therapist Assistant workshop tried out therapy devices and role-played therapeutic exercises while learning how physical therapist assistants help patients recover from injuries and improve mobility.
“The PTA workshop was very interactive, it made the workshop engaging and fun! I learned that I might want to be a PTA.”
In the Nursing workshop, Josh Wiederhold from PeaceHealth guides students through the activity
Students draw “blood” from fake manikin arms in the Medical Assisting workshop
“I really really enjoyed Medical Assisting because it was super hands on and engaging! I learned how to draw blood.
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Student uses a “Mr. Potato Head” toy for an activity in the Early Childhood Education workshop
The Business workshop gave students a broad overview of opportunities in entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and management. They got to role-play a human resources scenario and learned about the skills needed to thrive in the business world.
In Criminal Justice, students learned about teen court, restorative justice, legal studies, and victim advocacy. They also learned about inmate booking and transport procedures, careers in law enforcement, and plans for a new jail coming to Whatcom County.
The Early Childhood Education workshop featured educational games, videos on child development and a Mr. Potato Head personality exercise. They also designed inclusive classroom layouts that support students with a wide range of abilities, strengths, and learning styles.
“I liked learning about all the opportunities and resources in Whatcom County that can help me in my future career in law enforcement.”
Student uses a spirometer to measure lung capacity
Corrections Administrator Caleb Erikson leads the Criminal Justice workshop
In the Accounting & Finance workshop, students got practical with taxes and learned about industry certifications and financial planning careers.
“It was interesting learning about opportunities around me and seeing positions that will help me advance in life.”
After their first round of workshops, students gathered in Syre Auditorium for a lunch break, enjoying pizza and sharing stories about their exciting experiences. They participated in a game of bingo organized by the Junior Achievement Council, which helped them learn more about the organizations tabling at the event. Students got to explore tables hosted by a variety of WCC departments, including WCC Counseling, WCC Writing Center, WCC Math Center, WCC Student Life, WCC Running Start, WCC Access & Disability Services, WCC Outreach, WCC Athletics & Recreation, WCC Intercultural Services, WCC Academic Advising, WCC Residence Life, WCC Financial Aid, WCC TRIO/Upward Bound, WCC The Horizon newspaper, and WCC Makerspace. Representatives from Skagit Valley College, Bellingham Technical College, Western Washington University, Junior Achievement Washington, and WWU’s Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management program also joined us.
Ale Hobi joins us from Bellingham Technical College
Skagit Valley College representatives join us
Learning with Leaders thrives thanks to the steadfast support of our partners, whose commitment helps turn local students’ career and college aspirations into reality. We are especially grateful to Whatcom Community College for its pivotal role in ensuring the success of the last event of the academic year. A big thank you also goes out to our generous sponsors, including North Sound Accountable Community of Health, and to our food sponsors, the Bagelry, Starbucks, and Costco.
Student smiles and gives a thumbs up
We would also like to thank Sage Borgias, our FuturesNW Pathways Exploration Program Coordinator, who coordinated the 2024-2025 LWL series. From recruiting and preparing our guest speakers to managing event logistics, she worked tirelessly to ensure each session was engaging, inclusive, and relevant to students' post-secondary journeys. Their care, creativity, and organizational leadership were instrumental in the success of this year’s program.
While this year’s LWL series has come to a close, we can’t wait to see you again in the fall. Stay tuned for next time!