Tacoma Community College Foundation Receives $400,000 Grant from KeyBank Foundation
The Tacoma Community College (TCC) Foundation has announced a grant from the KeyBank Foundation for $400,000 to establish a “Career Navigator,” who will serve as career coach, internship coordinator and entrepreneurship mentor. This grant is the largest of its kind given to a community and technical college in the South Sound.
The new Degree Transfer Agreement (DTA) Navigator position will join TCC’s other career and academic pathway navigators with a specific focus to guide students who are earning an associate’s degree and help them either transfer successfully to a four-year university or enter the workforce after graduation from TCC.
The position will be part of its Career Center and Career Navigator Initiative (CNI) that combines career-connected learning, internships, entrepreneurship coaching and equity-driven support to help students achieve their career goals after graduation. While the DTA Navigator will empower all students, there will be particular emphasis on first-generation and low-income learners, who are historically underrepresented when it comes to advising services.
Through guided coaching from the DTA Navigator, students will not only achieve their immediate goals but also develop the career management skills necessary to adapt, self-advocate and thrive in an evolving workforce.
“At KeyBank, our mission is to help our communities thrive, and that means removing barriers to achieve opportunity,” said Brian Marlow, KeyBank’s Washington State Market President. “Given the changes in the modern workplace and job market, even the most highly motivated and well-prepared students can struggle to secure well-paying jobs without a helping hand.”
“That challenge is often greater for first-generation and low-income learners,” continued I.V. Reeves, KeyBank Regional Corporate Responsibility Officer. “This position will help ensure that all students graduate with the skills, confidence and adaptability needed to navigate lifelong learning and work.”
TCC President Dr. Ivan L. Harrell said these navigator positions have proven to be successful with student retention and success.
“Students have told us how critically important and meaningful it has been to receive these kind of one-on-one advising services,” Dr. Harrell said. “There are so many opportunities here at TCC, and this new navigator position will get students the support they need with career and transfer opportunities. Receiving this generous grant is a recognition of the importance of this commitment with our students, and we deeply appreciate KeyBank for believing in our work and in our community.”
TCC Foundation Executive Director Emily Mendez-Bryant, who helped spearhead the success of this grant added, “This is the kind of partnership that transforms lives, systems and communities. With this investment, we can continue to support students quickly and compassionately, whether it’s connecting them with career and academic resources or helping them respond to personal life needs. We are all about student success here at TCC, and we thank KeyBank for their long-standing partnership with us and for being part of our story.”
ABOUT KEYCORP
KeyCorp's roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $184 billion at December 31, 2025. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 950 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.