business backgrounder | education & workforce
Building Connections That Last
Spokane Falls Community College , Greater Spokane Inc . and area employers work to support students , grow the economy and keep talent local .
Debbie Ritenour
By collaborating on programs and internships , Spokane Falls Community College and the local business community are investing in the future of Washington state and its residents .
At A Glance
Spokane Falls Community College established a digital marketing program in 2017 to teach students how to build brand awareness and loyalty through social media .
These students must complete an internship as part of the degree requirements .
This summer , the AWB Institute launched the Washington Workforce Portal to connect students and employers by facilitating internship opportunities .
Founded in 1967 , Spokane Falls Community College ( SFCC ) has been serving students in eastern Washington for more than 50 years . But just because the college has an established presence in the region doesn ’ t mean it doesn ’ t adapt as the needs of the workforce and employers change . In 2017 , SFCC launched its digital marketing program to better prepare students for careers in today ’ s fast-paced online world .
The timing couldn ’ t have been better . The first cohort of students completed their degrees just months before Covid-19 swept across the country .
“ With the global pandemic , every business is scrambling to develop and compete for customers online ,” said adjunct faculty member Melissa Barker . “ Our students walk away with the knowledge and skills to be able to accurately audit the online presence of a business , create a compelling strategy , and develop a plan for implementation .”
SFCC staff and faculty developed the program after bringing together local employers to determine what businesses wanted and needed from recent graduates . They quickly identified a need for employees who can help businesses communicate their brand personality effectively across a wide spectrum of communication channels , including social media . fall / winter 2020 31