This week, Woodland Community College (WCC) announced the launch of Reconnect @WCC, a new initiative offering free tuition or a $300 cash grant to individuals who want to return to college and complete their degree. The program is designed to empower adult learners who have some college experience but no degree, providing financial aid and student support services tailored to the unique needs of working adults in historically underserved communities.

The program was introduced at Woodland’s State of the City Dinner, a forum for civic and business leaders to highlight community progress and promote initiatives that support local growth and development. As a sponsor of the initiative, the city of Woodland has set aside more than $40,000 to support WCC in offering the program to local residents.

“Reconnect @WCC aligns with the city’s commitment to workforce development and lifelong learning,” said Woodland Mayor Rich Lansburgh. “We are proud to support this program and look forward to the impact it will have on our residents and local economy.”

Reconnect @WCC recognizes the barriers adult learners often face—including juggling work schedules, family responsibilities, and financial constraints—and responds with flexible, student-centered solutions. Through targeted outreach, financial aid, academic advising, and mental health support, the program creates a clear, achievable path back to higher education and degree completion.

“As Woodland Community College works to close equity gaps and expand pathways to socioeconomic mobility, supporting working adults—especially those who have stopped out—is a top priority,” said Dr. Lizette Navarette, president of Woodland Community College. “Reconnect @WCC is more than just an invitation to return to college; it’s a commitment of support, opportunity, and belonging for those often left behind in higher education. We are proud to launch this first-of-its-kind partnership with the City of Woodland, reaffirming our shared resolve.”

To qualify for Reconnect @WCC, participants must: be a resident of Woodland, be age 26 or older, have some college credits but no degree, earn less than two times the federal poverty level, enroll in at least 6 units at Woodland Community College, and develop an education plan with a counselor.

Reconnect @WCC offers participants: free tuition or a $300 incentive grant.

With the growing number of adult learners seeking flexible and supportive pathways to complete their education, WCC is answering the call. Reconnect @WCC is more than a program—it’s a promise to help adult learners restart their journey with confidence, support, and a clear path to a better future.

For more information about Reconnect @WCC, visit wcc.yccd.edu/student/financialaid/free-tuition/. Students are encouraged to apply now to Reconnect @WCC. The program’s first cohort of students will begin in the Fall.

During the Tuesday, June 17, Woodland City Council meeting, an agreement was passed to provide funds for the program. The agreement was passed 4-0 during the meeting. Mayor Pro Tempore Tom Stallard was not present.

The primary objective of this project is to empower adult students, expand educational access, and provide more opportunities for socioeconomic advancement. Through the program, they aim to help a community of people from middle-class households and underrepresented communities that face barriers that might cause them to drop out of school.

Navarette shares that she wants this program to be very approachable for any adults looking to return to college. They are looking to be able to provide credit for any prior learning that they have had; to have student support, such as financial support or mental health services; to provide navigation support by connecting them with academic advisors and degree planning; and to provide support with resources to “reduce financial barriers to acess and micro-grants for emergencies, childcare and transportation.”

“It’s a very approachable program, we don’t have one in the state that focuses on adults, and so this partnership, when I say it’s one of a kind, it really is one of its kind,” Navarette said. “It really does approach and make it available for a larger population of Woodland residents. We wanted to invite them back to something that doesn’t look like the system they left.”