A team of Pierce College student leaders traveled to the nation’s capital on Feb. 7–11 to advocate for critical federal support of Pell Grant expansion, the end of Pell Grant taxation, and continued investment in student‑success programs.
Student leaders Sarah Aunspach, Ruffaro Guzha, and Xander Bediones meet with members of Congress as part of the Community College National Legislative Summit, an annual event that draws community college trustees, administrators, and students from across the nation to Washington, D.C.
The Pierce College delegation placed students at the center of the conversation with members of Congress, and they highlighted the importance of accessible higher education and the role federal support plays in helping students complete their degrees.
“We talked about reductions in funding, especially Title 3 and Title 5, which impact programs we have on campus such as APIRE and TRIO,” said Ruffaro Guzha, vice president of the Associated Students of Pierce College Fort Steilacoom. “We need inclusive and supportive programs and spaces for students of color more than ever.”
Pierce College District Chancellor/CEO Julie White, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom President Matt1 Campbell and trustees Lauren Adler and Bryce McKibben also attended the summit. Support staff who helped college leadership and students included Marie Harris, director of operations for the Chancellor’s office and Aki Smith, Puyallup campus Office of Student Life director.
The Pierce College team met with U.S. Representatives Emily Randall (6th District) and Marilyn Strickland (10th District) as well as U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and their staff members.
The summit, hosted by the Association of Community College Trustees, gave Pierce College students the opportunity to speak directly to decision-makers about the policies shaping their education and to ensure student voices remain central in conversations about the future of community colleges.
“Knowing I was there, advocating for students and discussing issues that were of great impact on a large group of people, made me feel more passionate and stronger about the issues,” said Sarah Aunspach, president of the Associated Students of Pierce College Puyallup. “I’m proud of our group and all the work we’ve put in to prepare for that trip, and continue the work there in D.C., and I’m very grateful to have had that experience.”
Before traveling to the nation’s capital, the student leaders spent Feb. 4–5 meeting with Washington state legislators.
“The topic that particulary resonated well with state legislators was about housing accessibility and affordability, specifically focusing on our concern of basic needs insecurity,” Bediones said.
The students’ focus on the state level also centered on continuing to financially support the Running Start program, which allows high school students to earn college credit at no cost. The expected reductions in the Running Start program in 2026 would mean that each eligible student will lose the ability to take an additional 10 credits during summer term. This means high school students would pay out of pocket for what could be a transitional term.
“The most valuable message we told our state legislators was that they don’t cut the solution, especially now that community college enrollment is rising as four-year universities become more expensive,” Guzha said. “Community colleges are emerging now more than ever as the vanguard of economic development in the state that they have always been.”
Washington state community colleges are facing a 1.5% to 3% funding reduction in the 2025-27 budget, totaling over $12 million in cuts, driven by state budget tightening and a new funding model.
“The legislature reducing funding by 2% for institutions like Pierce College disproportionately impacts first-generation students, low-income students, and students of color, further widening the disparities that have always existed in education,” Guzha said.
