Over 930 Students Attend EvCC’s 2025 Students of Color Career Conference

Press Release

Date: March 28, 2025

Contact: EvCC Students of Color Career Conference: soccc@everettcc.edu

EVERETT, Wash. – More than 930 middle and high school students, representing a diverse range of backgrounds, learned about college and career options at Everett Community College’s 20th annual Students of Color Career Conference on March 27. 

More than 320 adults made the event a success. Nearly 100 professionals shared about their college and career experiences, 45 EvCC students moderated panel discussions, dozens of school representatives, chaperones and bus drivers brought students to the conference, and over 85 volunteers directed students and served thousands of slices of pizza. 

The conference was open to all middle and high school students from Snohomish County.

Students wait for the opening ceremony to start at the Students of Color Career Conference March 27 at Everett Community College. 

Students watched performances by Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary School, traditional Giddha dancer Rimmy Bhathal, and mariachi vocalist Luis Cano, and heard a keynote speech by Dr. Ayva Thomas, executive director of racial and educational justice for the Northshore School District. Thomas has collaborated with the Zinn Education Project, Rethinking Schools, the City of Bothell, the City of Kenmore, and the Seattle Mariners On BASE youth mentorship program. She serves on the Black Education Matters Student Activist Award Advisory Board. 

Keynote speaker Dr. Ayva Thomas speaks about “Centering the Voices and Leadership of Young People” at the Students of Color Career Conference March 27 at Everett Community College.

The event was sponsored by Molina HealthCare, Washington State University Everett and Tulalip Tribes.

First held in 2003, the conference was the idea of former EvCC accounting instructor Bill Reed in response to changing Snohomish County demographics, education trends and the economic impact of earning a college degree. He was joined by local business owner Carlos Veliz and others to help organize the first conference. Both continue to be involved with the conference.

“When we started this conference over 20 years ago, our goal was to inspire students of color by connecting them with professionals who looked like them and had navigated similar challenges,” Reed said. “Over the years, we’ve seen the powerful impact of representation and mentorship in shaping students’ aspirations. It’s about showing them that their dreams are not only valid but achievable.” 

The 2020 U.S. Census showed that Snohomish County is becoming more diverse, with the number of residents of color increasing 82% between 2010 and 2020, while the number of white residents declined 2%.

Everett Community College alumna Rimmy Bhathal performs a traditional Giddha dance March 27 at EvCC’s Students of Color Career Conference.

The conference went on hiatus from 2020 to 2022, making this the 20th year. 

For more information about the conference or to donate to support the event, visit EverettCC.edu/SOCCC.