Q&A with Compass 2 Campus director Bridget Galati: How WWU employees can support the program
As we gear up for another cycle of Compass 2 Campus starting October 15, we had the opportunity to speak with Bridget Galati, the program’s Director. Compass 2 Campus is more than just a mentoring initiative; it’s a vital program that connects 5th-12th grade students in Whatcom and Skagit counties with dedicated WWU student mentors. Its mission? To support access to higher education for students who have historically faced barriers, providing them with the help and inspiration they need to see a future in higher ed.
Tour Day is an important milestone, marking the beginning of the Compass 2 Campus journey. On this day, 1,000 5th graders visit WWU’s campus for the first time and meet their mentors, the start of a year-long commitment where mentors will continue to guide their mentees through middle and high school, and on to college.
Faculty and staff, your support is crucial—from assisting with logistics to leading engaging workshops. Your involvement helps make Tour Day meaningful and ensures that these students receive the ongoing support they need to pursue higher education. Read on or click the respective link to become a Tour Day presenter or to become a Tour Day volunteer.
We’re getting excited for another cycle of Compass 2 Campus, kickstarting this Fall on October 15. For new and returning staff and faculty who want a refresher, give us a 101 on WWU’s Compass 2 Campus:
Compass 2 Campus is a mentoring program with the mission to increase access to higher education for 5th-12th grade students in Whatcom and Skagit counties who have been historically excluded from higher education by connecting them with trained college student mentors.
We place college student mentors of all different backgrounds and majors in a variety of classrooms and programs to support low-income students and Black, Indigenous, and other students of color.
Why is it important that WWU drives the Compass 2 Campus program?
WWU is and always has been one of the leading institutions of higher education and teacher training in the state. Creating pathways to higher education for the largest potential pool of students is central to our calling. Our region is home to many low-income and BIPOC communities who have been historically excluded from higher education. About 400 C2C mentors are placed in low-income schools every year to provide over 12,000 hours of support for our 5th-12th grade mentees.
Tell us a bit more about Compass 2 Campus’s October 15 Tour Day and how faculty and staff can get involved.
Tour Day is the kick-off event for the 5th graders in the C2C program. Every fall, C2C brings 1,000 5th graders and their teachers to Western’s campus for a day of learning and fun that builds a sense of belonging on a college campus for low-income and BIPOC students in our region. The 5th graders meet their C2C mentors and learn about the world of postsecondary opportunities available to them.
After Tour Day, C2C mentors continue to mentor these students throughout the year. When these 5th graders move onto middle school, C2C mentors will continue to support them in 6th-12th grade.
Providing Tour Day to 1,000 5th graders is only possible through the support of many faculty and staff. We count on faculty and staff for everything from logistical support to offering engaging workshops for our 5th grade visitors.
We welcome faculty and staff volunteers for various roles on Tour Day and also seek workshop presenters:
- Link to volunteer sign up: https://forms.office.com/r/TGRhnGADPZ
- Link to presenter sign up: https://wwu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3atTU7BuCJLc63A
How else can the on-campus community support welcoming the 5th graders on Tour Day?
For almost all of our 5th grade mentees, Tour Day is the first time they have been on a college campus. For many of them, it might be the first time they have really been to Bellingham. Everyone on Western’s campus who interacts with these students can welcome them and build memories that will last a lifetime. A smile, a wave, a “Welcome to Western!” are all great ways for the Western community to welcome the 5th graders. For anyone on campus in the morning between 9:00-10:00am on October 15th, you can greet students as they get off their buses in the 9G lot near SMATE and walk to the opening ceremony in Carver.
Tell us more about how staff and faculty help share the word to students about the hands-on mentorship opportunities that Compass 2 Campus offers?
Compass 2 Campus needs college student mentors from all backgrounds and majors, and we depend on word of mouth to spread the word about opportunities to mentor with C2C. Every quarter, we visit classes to share about C2C classes and volunteer opportunities. We greatly appreciate it when faculty open their classrooms to these short presentations. Many of our mentors come to us because a faculty or staff member recommended mentoring with C2C.
How did Compass 2 Campus begin and where can I learn more?
Compass 2 Campus has a more than decade-long history at WWU. Interestingly, it was originally conceived at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay as the Phuture Phoenix Program by Cyndie Shepard, the wife of Bruce Shepard, former President of Western Washington University, and Ginny Riopelle, UW-Green Bay Council of Trustees member.
In April of 2009, HB 1986 was passed by the Washington legislature and signed into law by Governor Gregoire, establishing Compass 2 Campus as the pilot mentoring initiative for the state of Washington. This bill gives credence to the commitment of the state to support mentoring as an effective way to encourage post-secondary education to underrepresented students in our K-12 school system.
In the fall of 2009, Western Washington University created the Compass 2 Campus program with the support of nine local school districts in Whatcom and Skagit counties, Western faculty and staff, and hundreds of Western student mentors.
Since 2009, Compass 2 Campus has grown to 40 sites in Whatcom and Skagit counties and built new partnerships with GEAR UP programs and community partners such as Mercy Housing and Children of the Valley. Many of our C2C alumni are now teachers and human services professionals supporting the next generation of C2C mentees.
Learn more about Compass 2 Campus by visiting the Compass 2 Campus website.