Suggested Changes
Public Transportation
Population Trends
Housing
Public Funding for Higher Education
Public Transportation
To maximize the positive effects of expanded light rail access, the college should:
- Advocate for the expansion of the light rail from downtown Everett to the EvCC campus. Alternately, the college should lobby for additional bus service or a direct/express bus line from campus to the transportation center.
- Revisit the advertising and marketing statues/rules/regulations, and consider legislative changes that will allow the college to increase its visibility in other areas.
- Examine parking priorities in light of campus growth projections and the additional consideration of expanded public transportation access.
Population Trends
Population growth in Everett and the surrounding area is expected, but how it will impact the college is difficult to predict. However, responding to the needs of an aging population provides a more concrete path forward. The college should be prepared to:
- Expand its medical and healthcare programs
- Grow its skilled labor certification programs
- Enhance its manufacturing programs
- Identify and proactively develop certification programs that afford work with flexible hours (e.g. yoga instruction, event planning, personal trainers, etc.)
Housing
Current city efforts focus on increasing the population density in downtown Everett. If these plans come to fruition, more potential students will live in neighborhoods adjacent to campus. To accommodate the projected population boom, the college should:
- Partner with the city on public transportation projects (designated bike lanes, pedestrian right-of-way crosswalks, shuttle services, etc.)
- Study and modify class meeting times to maximize the use of our facilities (classrooms and parking)
Public Funding for Higher Education
The political climate on a global and national scale can quickly impact college access and enrollment. Partnerships with international entities can be interrupted, which significantly affects our campus. Our sphere of influence doesn’t easily extend into the federal government, but we can nurture our state and local relationships and funding opportunities. To this end, the college should:
- Continue to lobby the state legislature for increased funding for multiple projects that relate to existing needs and projected growth
- Explore the feasibility of a program that provides free college to in-state residents
- Invest time and resources to maintain and grow relationships with the regional school districts
- Expand partnerships with other colleges and universities in the area