By Dave D'Ambrosio

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program

On Tuesday, March 24, eleven students officially graduated from the Muckleshoot Tribal College Certified Nursing Assist (CNA) program. MTC partners from the Muckleshoot Elders In-Home Support Services (MEIHSS) and Renton Technical College (RTC) shared a meal and words of congratulations with our graduates. Over the last 5 weeks, students learned the skills necessary for Nursing Assistant Certification in Washington State, culminating in a five-day practicum at Village Concepts senior and assisted living home in Fairwood. Students shadowed professional CNAs, demonstrated their skills on clients, and experienced firsthand the nature of assisting the elderly with a high level of care. On Friday, March 20th, all cohort members took and passed their skills test. They are now ready for their written test, their last step before obtaining their Nursing Assistant credential. Please join the Muckleshoot Tribal College, RTC, and MEIHSS in congratulating the following students: Kealohi Ahinga, Taumaia Atimalala, Ma’leah Brown, Ramona Elkins, Macoya Haulet, Izreal Judson-Elkins, Kristine Martinez, Jessica Muthandi, Madison Parton, Brenda Suddenbrave, and Aiyanna WhiteEagle.  

CNA Program Totals Since Winter 2020: 74 Students, 33 Muckleshoot Tribal Members

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Early Childhood Education Program

The ECE program at the Muckleshoot Tribal College primarily consists of an in-person cohort at the Muckleshoot Tribal College. The Washington Statewide ECE Initial Certificate requires students take three classes: Introduction to Early Childhood Education (ECED&105), Health, Safety, and Nutrition (ECED&107), and Practicum 1-Nursing Relationships (ECED&120). The Muckleshoot Tribal College partners with Green River College’s ECE department to offer these classes at MTC on Wednesdays from 9:00AM-1:00PM. The Muckleshoot ECE division supports students in attending these classes during work hours, ensuring that their staff have the best opportunity to further their education and qualifications. We celebrated our students with a meal and cake on June 10. This year 13 students, 11 of them Muckleshoot Tribal Members, earned their WA State Initial ECE Certificate with the help of the Muckleshoot Tribal College ECE cohort. Please join us in congratulating the following students: Shaughnessi Hicks, Rose Courville, Martina Delgado, Veronica Gonzales, Taneal Alsup, Julia Anderson, Tiana Lozier, Keisha Flores, Kristina Lobehan, Karen SoHappy, Veronica Gonzalez, Ninia Moses, and Rachel Williams.

ECE Program Totals Since Fall 2024: 24 Students, 17 Muckleshoot Tribal Members, 7 Community Members have earned their WA State Initial ECE Certificates.

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Muckleshoot Tribal College Carpentry Program

In Spring of 2026, 10 students, all Muckleshoot Tribal Members, successfully completed Indus 101 Introduction to Woodworking and Carp 162 Stair Construction and Design. They experienced a guest lecture from Tsimshian carver and artist Jerome Nathan, and completed two cedar benches which will be placed at the Muckleshoot Health and Wellness Center’s free library and in the community garden. Twelve students, ten of them Muckleshoot Tribal Members, are currently enrolled in our summer Indus 108 Introduction to Construction Basics course, and plans are underway to assist the community garden with the construction of garden boxes and BHP with the construction of a Women’s sweat house.

PACP Program Totals since 2017: 97 total unique students, 76 Muckleshoot Tribal Members.