CPTC Recognized as Leader College
Clover Park Technical College Recognized by Achieving the Dream as a 2026 Leader College
LAKEWOOD, WA — Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) announced today that it has been designated a 2026 Leader College by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility. The distinction reflects CPTC’s sustained, evidence-based commitment to expanding access and opportunity especially for students of color, first-generation learners, and working adults across Pierce County.
“At Clover Park Technical College, equity is not an aspiration; it is the work.” – Dr. Joyce Loveday, CPTC President
“Sixty-five percent of students at our new Eastside Training Center are students of color. Forty percent are the first in their families to attend college,” Dr. Loveday continued. “Achieving the Dream’s designation affirms that when we remove barriers and meet students where they are, they succeed. Every data point behind this recognition represents a real person who earned a credential, secured a living-wage job, and changed the trajectory of their future.”
CPTC has seen steady improvements in completion since joining the Achieving the Dream network in 2011. The overall three-year graduation rate has grown from 32% to 44%, a 38% increase representing thousands of additional Pierce County residents who earned credentials and entered or advanced in the workforce. These gains reflect strategic, data-driven decisions grounded in equity and community partnership.
Leader Colleges are honored for meaningful progress in expanding access: improving early momentum metrics, such as retention; advancing relevant student success strategies with evidence of implementation and early results; and growing institutional capacity through culture and capacity-building efforts.
Access to education
Since CPTC opened the Eastside Training Center (ETC) in 2025 with skilled-trades programs and wraparound services, more than 275 students have enrolled: 65% students of color, 40% first-generation, and 30% parenting students. CPTC expanded dual enrollment, including short-term nursing assistant certificates, leading to a 222% increase in summer participation by high school students. Demonstrating the college’s commitment to reaching students in every stage of life, CPTC’s English as a Second Language programs have grown by 672% since 2022, the fastest-growing segment of the college and a powerful signal of deepening community trust. To support belonging, CPTC created the Male Engagement Center in 2023, which has improved retention among men of color.
Student retention
CPTC has adopted technology to identify students at risk of stopping out, which has contributed to improved retention rates. Multiple student centers strengthen belonging with mentoring, networking, and resource connection. A required College Success 102 course introduces students to resources developed to help them remain enrolled during crises.
Community connectedness
CPTC’s strong local partnerships expand economic opportunity across Pierce County. The ETC exemplifies this approach, partnering with the City of Tacoma, WorkForce Central, and local schools to bring career and technical education to a historically underserved neighborhood and connect residents to living-wage jobs. The Manufacturing Engineering Technologies program pairs technical training with paid apprenticeships, while the Corporate Education Division – Washington’s largest – provides customized training and consulting to more than 80 employers. Community partnerships like Dreams Work Job Training Program support single parents with training, childcare, transportation, and mentoring. Through the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, CPTC serves justice-impacted individuals by helping those nearing release transition into college and career pathways.
Educational excellence
The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) helps faculty turn data into practice, showing faculty how to analyze course data, identify barriers, and create action plans. This approach has contributed to improved course completion and stronger engagement, with programs like welding, business technology, and health sciences showing notable gains for students of color and working adults. The TLC advances innovation through digital and AI readiness training, preparing faculty and students alike to use emerging technologies effectively.
“This recognition reflects the collective commitment of our faculty and staff to continuous improvement grounded in evidence,” said Dr. Tom Broxson, Vice President for Instruction. “We are not standing still. We are building the infrastructure through AI-ready faculty development, expanded access programs, and deeper community integration to ensure that CPTC remains a transformational institution for every student who walks through our doors.”
“The 2026 Leader Colleges demonstrate sustained commitment and measurable progress in advancing student success,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “By using data to guide decisions and continuously strengthen their practices, these institutions are producing real gains in student outcomes, strengthening their practices, and deepening their impact in the communities they serve. Their leadership sets a powerful example for colleges across the ATD Network, reflecting the focus, discipline, and follow-through required to achieve lasting institutional change.”
Building on this momentum, CPTC will continue to invest in equity-centered innovation, expanding access programs, faculty development in artificial intelligence and digital readiness, and partnerships that connect Pierce County residents to living-wage careers.
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About Achieving the Dream
Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges across the country. Drawing on expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national peer network, the organization provides institutions with integrated, tailored support for every aspect of their work — from foundational capacities such as leadership, data, and equity to intentional strategies for supporting students holistically, building K–12 partnerships, and more. ATD calls this Whole College Transformation. Its vision is for every college to be a catalyst for equitable and economically vibrant communities. ATD knows that with the right partner and the right approach, colleges can drive access, completion rates, and employment outcomes — so that all students can access life-changing learning that propels them into community-changing careers. Follow ATD on X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn. To learn more, visit the Achieving the Dream (ATD) website: www.achievingthedream.org.
About Clover Park Technical College
Clover Park Technical College’s 3 locations offer over 40 programs and more than 100 degree and certificate options organized into seven Schools: Aerospace and Aviation; Science, Technology, Engineering and Design; Automotive and Trades; Advanced Manufacturing; Nursing; Health and Human Development; and Business and Personal Services. The college also provides certification, online and distance learning, corporate training, and continuing education courses. For more information, visit www.cptc.edu and find @CloverParkTech on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Media Inquiries
Jenn Adrien
Executive Director of Marketing & Communications
Clover Park Technical College