Cascadia College is a public community college in Bothell, Washington, on a shared campus with the University of Washington Bothell. Established in 2000, Cascadia was built to serve the cities of Bothell, Woodinville, Kirkland, Kenmore, Duvall, Carnation, Sammamish, Redmond and other smaller communities within the greater Seattle area.

Cascadia College
TypePublic community college
Established2000
PresidentEric W. Murray
Students2,300
Location, ,
United States

47°45′39.89″N 122°11′28.46″W / 47.7610806°N 122.1912389°W / 47.7610806; -122.1912389
Campus128 acres (0.52 km2)
NicknameKodiaks
MascotKody
Websitewww.cascadia.edu

Cascadia offers two-year associate degrees, two bachelor's degree programs,[1][2] continuing education courses, and professional and technical training. Cascadia is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

History

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Historically created by legislative mandate, Cascadia Community College hired its first staff and faculty in 1999. These individuals numbered less than a dozen and handled all administrative duties including the development of curriculum and programs of studies, recruiting and hiring faculty and staff, and development and design of the permanent campus. Founding staff, administrators, and the four members of the innovative Cascadia "Curriculum and Learning Design Team" worked for twelve months in a small office in a business park just about one mile from the new Cascadia campus. Most important decisions were made or announced at a small communal table in the center of the Cascadia temporary office. In this room, all important decisions were deliberated and decided upon. Over 1,100 applications were screened to select just fifteen "Founding Faculty" members along with 55 Associate (part-time) Faculty who would be brought to Bothell in 2000 and oriented to join this innovative learning environment.

 
Cascadia College Building 2 - 01

The college opened with two buildings (CC1 and CC2) along with a building for the adjoining University of Washington Bothell campus.[3] The plan for the third building, CC3, was not established until 2006 and CC3 was opened in 2009.

In 2000, in recognition of its innovative structure, interdisciplinary curriculum, and outcomes-based organization, Cascadia was named as one of twelve "Vanguard Learning Colleges" by the League for Innovation in the Community College. In a 2007 list of the top U.S. two-year colleges created by Washington Monthly magazine, Cascadia ranked second, behind Atlanta Technical College.[4][5][6]

In September 2014, the board of trustees voted to change the college's name to Cascadia College.[7][8][9]

Sustainability

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Sustainable grounds

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In 2018–2022, Cascadia College was recognized for its sustainable practices, as its grounds area was rated #1 in the nation by the AASHE STARS Sustainable Campus Index of 2018–23.[10] Cascadia has been pesticide free since 2006 in conjunction with UW Bothell, and the campus has three orchard areas (including a Food Forest), a campus farm, and multiple rain gardens and building catchment. The joint campus is also home to one of the largest wetland restoration areas on the Western US Coast, with a 58-acre restored wetland.

The Cascadia Permaculture Cornucopia Food Forest won a national AASHE Campus Achievement award[11] - for excellence for achievements for what the food forest showcased, a mix between environmental green space, equity and inclusion options for food access and cultural plantings, and space for staff, faculty, and students to use as both a living laboratory and a relaxation space.

LEED buildings

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The joint campus has three LEED certified buildings, the Global Learning and the Arts Building (Mobius Hall or CC3) at LEED Platinum, the Discovery Hall (DISC) at LEED Gold. Some features of both buildings include solar panels, architectural design to capture sunlight to heat and light buildings, green roofs, energy-efficient HVAC systems, water catchment cisterns, and FSC certified wood. The architect for the Center for Global Learning & the Arts project was The Miller Hull Partnership.[12]

Programs

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Cascadia has two programs focused on sustainability: An associate in Water Resource Management,[13] and a Bachelor's of Applied Science in Sustainable Practices (BASSP).[14] The programs both focus on sustainability and environmentalism focusing on society and human impact, with the Water program specializing in surface water and stormwater, and the BASSP program being more comprehensive with a project and management focus for government and business careers. The BASSP program is an applied bachelors, with focuses on out of classroom experiences, a mix of hybrid and fully in-person classes, and a cohort model with internship and capstone requirements - guiding students towards a career in sustainability within companies, organizations, and government.

References

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  1. ^ "Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Practices". www.cascadia.edu. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  2. ^ "Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology - Application Development/Mobile Platforms". www.cascadia.edu. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  3. ^ "Master Plan 2017" (PDF). cascadia.edu. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  4. ^ "America's Best Community Colleges - Kevin Carey". Archived from the original on February 12, 2008.
  5. ^ "Built to Teach - Kevin Carey". Archived from the original on January 19, 2008.
  6. ^ "Community College Rankings". Archived from the original on February 12, 2008.
  7. ^ "Press Release: CASCADIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS NOW "CASCADIA COLLEGE"". cascadia.edu. September 22, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
  8. ^ "Cascadia Community College is now "Cascadia College"". News of Mill Creek. September 23, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
  9. ^ "Bothell's Cascadia Community College changes name - Bothell Reporter". Bothell Reporter. September 23, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
  10. ^ "Access all AASHE Sustainable Campus Index Publications".
  11. ^ "2021 AASHE Sustainability Award Winners Announced".
  12. ^ "Miller Hull — Center for Global Learning and the Arts". millerhull.com.
  13. ^ "Water Resource Management Program". www.cascadia.edu - Water Resource Management. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  14. ^ "Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Practices". www.cascadia.edu.
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