Boeing Grant Awarded to Invest in Youth Career Exploration and Financial Aid Initiatives

Everett, Wash., September 13, 2023 — Economic Alliance Snohomish County is announcing Snohomish STEM has received funding from the Boeing Global Engagement Grant to support our work for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Over the last three years, the Snohomish STEM Network expanded a range of financial aid completion efforts and career-connected learning programs like SnoCo Futures℠, STEM Like Me!©, and STEM Showcase℠, linking students with in-demand careers in Snohomish County.

Financial aid efforts include developing a week-long model which utilizes school advisory periods and lunches to help students complete their financial aid applications. One of our participating schools, Monroe High School, increased their financial aid completion rate by 12.4% compared to last year, making this their highest completion rate for the school in the past six years. For reference, rates in Washington State and Snohomish County increased by 2.4% and 1.2% YoY, respectively.

Additionally, the STEM Like Me!© program includes hands-on activities for students to engage with local professionals in STEM fields to learn more about careers available right here in Snohomish County; over 120 students participated this year. Student survey data revealed a significant impact with a 59% increase in knowledge and awareness of STEM careers among attendees. Additionally, there was a 12% rise in student intent to pursue STEM careers and a 6% increase in prioritizing STEM education.

"These initiatives have been possible with initial funding from the Boeing Global Engagement grant," informs Alyssa Jackson, Director of Snohomish STEM Network and Co-director of Career Connect Washington NW Region. “Boeing’s support has enabled us to continue scaling these innovative programs to equitably reach a larger number of students county-wide to continue preparing a skilled future workforce in Snohomish County,” says Jackson.

“Boeing's steadfast support has played a pivotal role in advancing the mission of Snohomish STEM in recent years,” says Garry Clark, President and CEO of Economic Alliance Snohomish County. “We look forward to the continued partnership supporting opportunities for industry leaders to collaborate with education and community partners.” 

For more information on the Snohomish STEM Network, please visit SnohomishSTEM.org.  

About Economic Alliance Snohomish County: 
Economic Alliance Snohomish County is a non-profit serving as a combined economic development organization and countywide chamber of commerce. As a public/private partnership of community leaders, businesses, education, and workforce, Economic Alliance Snohomish County is a catalyst for economic vitality resulting in stronger communities, increased job creation, expanded educational opportunities, and improved infrastructure.  

About Snohomish STEM Network: 
The Snohomish STEM Network, founded in 2013, is part of the EASC team and brings together cross-sector partnerships and leaders to support future workforce talent, education, and a strong cradle-to-career network preparing students for in-demand, high-paying jobs in Snohomish County. Snohomish STEM and our partners work together to improve equitable access for all students with a unified goal to strengthen and develop career connected learning opportunities in Snohomish County. The Snohomish STEM Network Director also serves as the Co-Director for the Career Connect Washington NW Regional Network (CCW NW), which includes Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and San Juan counties. Snohomish STEM and CCW NW collaborate regularly on career connected learning initiatives and programs.

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For more information, please contact:  

Pablo Colindres Moreno 
Marketing and Communications Manager 
Economic Alliance Snohomish County 
PabloC@EconomicAllianceSC.org 
425.248.4221