Welcome to the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship newsletter!

Here, we share news, updates and success stories from our scholarship program which provides financial support and professional development opportunities to students pursuing careers in high-demand STEM, health care and trade fields. Stay tuned for inspiring stories of our Scholars and the impact of our program on their lives and careers.

Meet WSOS’ new Associate Director of Corporate and Foundation Giving

We are excited to welcome our new Associate Director of Corporate and Foundation Giving Camille Reynaud, whose role at WSOS is to develop and manage partnerships that provide scholarship opportunities for Washington students.

Reynaud has more than 10 years of international experience developing relationships through corporate and event partnerships within social and nonprofit sectors. She enjoys building relationships with partners and working collaboratively to empower students in high-demand fields. Most recently, she served as executive director at Teens in Public Service, a nonprofit that empowers teen leaders through paid internships at nonprofit organizations.

At WSOS, Reynaud will cultivate and collaborate with corporate and foundation partners to provide scholarship opportunities for Washington students.

WSOS supports students facing food and housing insecurities

As we celebrate International Women’s Day and honor Women’s History Month, we areA new survey by Western Washington University and the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) reports that nearly half of Washington college students experience housing and food insecurities. These troubling statistics reveal the necessity for organizations like Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) to address students’ needs while pursuing higher education.

Opportunity Scholar Emely Barragan Diaz, whose Opportunity Scholarship was made possible by the Rubens Family Foundation, shared how her scholarship was essential during the onslaught of COVID-19 as she was studying for her master’s in social work.

“It meant stability and hope for a better future. I was able to focus more on my studies and less on rent, food, books, miscellaneous, etc. The scholarship changed my life, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, because of my increase in credits, which led to an increase in award money which helped me during an unpredictable time.”

Keep reading to learn how WSOS is fighting to ensure our Scholars are able to pursue their college dreams.

Keep reading

Q&A with WSOS Industry Partner for International Women's Day

As we celebrate International Women’s Day and honor Women’s History Month, we are reminded of the immense potential and talent of women living in Washington state. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of creating equal opportunities and access to education for women everywhere.

We spoke with WSOS Industry Partner Katie Vlastelica, who has experience working in STEM, an often male-dominated field. Vlastelica works as a research associate in Protein Therapeutics at Alpine Immune Sciences. She is also a mentor with our Skills that Shine program, offering her time to support Opportunity Scholars pursuing a career in science.

Read the Interview

Secure a seat (or eight) at OpportunityTalks!

Our annual OpportunityTalks Breakfast is back in person! Join our Opportunity Scholars, alums, partners and incredible supporters for this special breakfast. We’ll hear from our Scholars as they share how WSOS has impacted their lives and how they are using their education to give back.

Let us know if you want to host a table by visiting our registration page or reaching out to us directly. As a table host, you can invite your network to join you at the breakfast in support of our Opportunity Scholars. We’ll also celebrate our mission of building pathways into high-demand Washington careers for Washington students.

If you’re passionate about equity, Washington students and access to higher education—you don’t want to miss this!

Be a Table Host

Your gift matters

Want to make a difference in our community? Consider donating to WSOS today! Your contribution supports low- and middle-income students as they work to achieve their dreams. Let's invest in the future together!

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Thanks for supporting Opportunity Scholars! We hope you will continue to stand with us as we strive to make a difference in the lives of our students and community.

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