What does it take to build a college system where leaders of color thrive—not just survive?
That’s the driving question behind Evolve, College Spark’s newest higher education initiative focused on Washington’s community and technical colleges (CTCs). After years of research, listening, and planning alongside students, faculty, and equity leaders from across the state, Evolve is moving into its next phase—and the strategies are bold, clear, and deeply rooted in the lived experiences of those doing equity work every day.
“Across the country, equity work is being politicized and attacked—and Washington is not immune. That reality makes it even more important to create conditions where equity leaders of color are not just present, but supported and sustained.”
The Challenge: Equity Work Without Support
Washington’s CTC system has made important strides in equity over the past decade. Most colleges now name equity as a core value. Many have hired Diversity & Equity Directors and have developed college-wide EDI plans. But for too many leaders of color—especially those in EDI roles—there’s a stark gap between an institution’s stated values and how it actually functions. High turnover in equity positions, a lack of structural support, and minimal accountability leave many of these leaders burned out and isolated.
Evolve aims to close that gap—not with another initiative layered onto an already stressed system, but by investing directly in the people and practices that make lasting change possible.
The need is especially urgent now. Across the country, equity work is being politicized and attacked—and Washington is not immune. That reality makes it even more important to create conditions where equity leaders of color are not just present, but supported and sustained.
The Vision: Thriving, Equitable Systems
With input from the Evolve Advisory Committee, Education Northwest, and a range of CTC leaders and students, College Spark compiled key strategies to guide the initiative going forward. Each is designed to support formal and informal leaders of color while influencing the broader campus culture. Here’s what’s ahead:
A Shared Framework for Equity
To bring consistency and clarity to the work, Evolve will model the use of a consistent EDI framework—complete with shared metrics, which we will hold ourselves accountable across all initiative strategies. This will ground all Evolve-funded work in a common understanding of what equity leadership looks like and how to measure progress.
Team Fellowships for Deep Institutional Change
Evolve will fund a new “Team Fellowship” program—supporting teams from individual colleges to build the skills, partnerships, and strategies needed to shift institutional culture. These fellows will receive training and grant support to lead change efforts tied to EDI goals and student success.
Support for Equity-Centered Supervisors
A college’s culture lives not just in policy, but in people—especially those who manage others. Evolve will support the creation and piloting of training for department supervisors focused on inclusive, culturally responsive leadership. The goal: better environments and greater belonging for BIPOC employees across campuses.
Stabilizing Equity Networks
From the Faculty and Staff of Color Conference to student-led events, the networks that support leaders of color deserve sustainability. Evolve will explore ways to bolster these essential communities, helping them move from year-to-year planning to long-term impact.
Equity in Hiring and Advancement
College hiring and promotion structures often work against equity, even when intentions are good. Evolve will support the update and development of tools to examine all HR structures with an equity lens, support a cohort of colleges in piloting these tools, and work to bring transparency and fairness to faculty and staff advancement.
Expanding the Middle Leader Program
Building on the successful Middle Leader Program (MLP), Evolve will explore ways to expand this model of shared power and inclusive planning—making more space for informal leaders, especially those closest to students and tasked with advancing new initiatives, to shape institutional decisions.
What’s Next?
These strategies are just the beginning. Over the next 6–9 months, College Spark will work closely with partners across the state to refine each approach and finalize the Evolve initiative’s long-term framework. The first grants to colleges will launch in summer and fall 2026.
In a system where so many leaders of color have had to push, fight, and rise—Evolve offers something different: a chance to grow, connect, and lead in environments where equity is not just a value but a lived reality.
