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The Power of Belief, Support, and Opportunity for Students: A Recap of the 2026 Empowering Youth Tacoma Luncheon

May 18, 2026

College Success Foundation’s 2026 Empowering Youth Tacoma Luncheon recently brought together students, alumni, educators, community leaders, and supporters for an afternoon centered on belief, support, and opportunity. The annual event at Clover Park Technical College celebrated the educational journeys of CSF Scholars while raising critical support to help even more students from Tacoma access and succeed in college.

The event was emceed by College Success Foundation Tacoma Board Chair Jiquanda Nelson, who welcomed guests and reflected on the strength of the Tacoma community and its continued commitment to students and families. The luncheon concluded with an inspiring Raise the Paddle led by Jiquanda, where supporters and sponsors came together to raise more than $215,000 for Tacoma’s students.

Throughout the program, speakers highlighted both the realities students face and the transformative impact of support systems that help them persist. College Success Foundation President & CEO Mike Cheever spoke about the growing challenges many first-generation and low-income students encounter, from economic instability and housing insecurity to rising college costs and increasing uncertainty around financial aid and higher education policy. 

Mike also emphasized that educational attainment has increasingly become a dividing line for opportunity in today’s K economy and spoke about the importance of making sure students have access to college pathways and trusted adults and advocates who help them navigate complex systems and stay connected to their goals.

College Success Foundation alum and Director of Westside Programs Zach McKinlay shared his personal journey growing up on Tacoma’s south side and how scholarships and the support of a CSF advisor changed the trajectory of his life. What once felt out of reach became possible when someone helped him believe college was meant for him, too. Today, Zach works alongside students, helping the next generation find their own path forward.

He also highlighted the many ways CSF continues to partner with Tacoma Public Schools and local colleges to expand access and career exploration opportunities for students. From College Tours for Families and High School and Beyond Plan support to upcoming career exploration events and campus resource fairs, students are gaining firsthand exposure to college and career pathways across the region.

College Success Foundation is currently supporting students directly on campus at the following schools:

The audience also heard from College Success Foundation alum Thomas Bressler, who shared a deeply personal story and explained how mentorship and opportunity ultimately changed the course of his life. Thomas spoke about the importance of belief, not just knowing about college and what it can offer, but truly believing that the path is attainable. Through CSF, he visited a college campus for the first time, connected with a mentor who guided him at Pierce College, and eventually graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma with his bachelor’s degree and the University of Washington Seattle with his master’s degree before building a successful career and family of his own.


CSF Scholar Alexa from Mount Tahoma High School took the stage to thank the luncheon’s sponsors and supporters. Alexa then helped kick off one of the afternoon’s most memorable moments, inviting fellow CSF Scholars to the stage to celebrate their graduation accomplishments and plans. 

Students from Tacoma high schools and colleges introduced themselves and shared where they are headed next in their educational journeys before making their way through a high-energy, red-carpet tunnel filled with music, pom-poms, and applause from alumni, staff, board members, and supporters.

The luncheon concluded with remarks from College Success Foundation Tacoma Board Member Wendy Holcomb, who invited supporters to continue investing in Tacoma students and the long-term support systems that help young people succeed from high school through college completion. 

Thanks to the incredible generosity of supporters, Empowering Youth Tacoma once again demonstrated what is possible when a community comes together to invest in students and their futures.

If you were unable to make a gift during the luncheon or would like to complete your pledge from the Raise the Paddle, there is still time to make a gift and help us get to our stretch goal of $225,000 to invest in the next generation of Tacoma students.

There are also other ways to give as well:
Make a Gift by Mail | Gifts of Stock | ACH/Wire Transfers | More Ways to Give
College Success Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, tax identification EIN: 91-2036088. 


Thank you to our Empowering Youth Tacoma luncheon sponsors!

President’s Sponsor
Anonymous

Summa Cum Laude Sponsors
Costco Wholesale
Dimmer Family Foundation
Michelle Yeh

Magna Cum Laude Sponsors
Virginia Anderson
BECU
Columbia Bank
PoulTree
University of Washington Tacoma

Cum Laude Sponsor
MultiCare
Tacoma Education Dream Fund | Tacoma Public Schools

High Honors Sponsors
Chick-fil-A
Commencement Bank
Gesa Credit Union
Pacific Lutheran University
Sound Credit Union
Willie Stewart
Wendy & Jay Stricherz
University of Puget Sound

Table Captains
Bates Technical College | Clover Park Technical College | Pierce College | Tacoma Community College
Thomas Bressler
Lorna Hernandez
Wendy Holcomb
Mentha Hynes-Wilson
Morton McGoldrick, P.S. Attorneys at Law
Jiquanda Nelson
Pierce Transit
Mady Plumer
Essence Russ
Mark & Linda Starnes
Jeremy Warren

Photos by Merissa Humes Photography.