Our Vision
All students in our region are provided with the resources and support they need to pursue their postsecondary goals.
Our Mission
Compass 2 Campus increases access to higher education for students in Whatcom and Skagit counties who have been historically excluded from higher education by providing low-income and Black, Indigenous, and students of color with trained college student mentors.
Your Donations
Your donations support our efforts to provide Tour Day to 1000 fifth graders.
Every dollar counts to support these efforts and continue our work, mentoring for change.
About the Compass 2 Campus program
Due to historical and systemic racism and discrimination, many communities in our region have been historically excluded from higher education. Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) as well as low-income students of all backgrounds have been historically excluded from higher education. While many of our C2C partner schools are majority BIPOC and/or low-income schools, our region’s higher education institutions do not reflect the diversity of our region’s schools. To address this opportunity gap and educational debt, C2C places college student mentors in Title I schools to increase access to higher education for 5th-12th grade students. The service-learning courses linked to the C2C mentoring program focus on educational equity, cultural responsiveness, and social justice. Mentoring placements include classrooms, afterschool programs, and community settings and are defined collaboratively based on partners’ needs.
Program goals focus on providing 5th-12th grade students with information and support regarding higher education opportunities and potential careers while supporting the development of positive academic and cultural identities and school success. The program kicks off with all 5th grade classes visiting Western’s campus for a college experience during Fall Tour Day. After Tour Day, college student mentors visit 35 partner schools weekly.
Each year, C2C places between 600 and 800 college student mentors in schools and employs 40 Western students. Support for student leaders to develop peer mentoring and leadership skills is part of the program’s commitment to college success as well as college access.
