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Degrees of change

To College and back. Together.

We prepare diverse, homegrown leaders to succeed in college and career in order to build more vibrant and equitable communities.
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What, Why, How

Leaders Empowered, Communities Transformed

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Educational Equity

Our scholars defy the status quo, graduating college at double the rate for students from similar demographics.

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Brilliant Leadership

Diverse, homegrown leaders build more equitable systems on campus, at home and beyond.

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National Reach

Our programs support students from 7 communities across 5 states at 24 private and public, 4- and 2-year colleges.

Our Scholars

Their Success is Our Motivation

Christian’s Story

Poet. Speaker. Educator. Act Six alum Christian Paige is an Emmy-nominated poet, passionate keynote speaker, and an equity consultant who ignites scholars and leaders to use their voices powerfully. He is an unapologetic truth teller who uses his artistic expression to empower individuals and communities.…

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Marianne’s Story

Marianne is a freshman at the University of Washington Tacoma who is passionate about empowering the next generation. Her dream is to educate young people with the tools and resources to engage the systemic inequalities that they see in their community as a High School…

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Megan’s Story

Megan Quiñones is a Palmer Scholar studying political science and sociology at Saint Martin’s University. Growing up a bi-racial woman impacted by economic poverty in Tacoma has inspired her academic studies, interest in non-profit work, and holistic focus on anti-oppression work. During her time with…

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Investing in
Tomorrow's Leaders

At Degrees of Change we are growing scholars and leaders. As a result, new generations of talented and connected, homegrown, college graduates are transforming their home communities and beyond.
Our Programs
The Latest

Recent News

| Blog

Our Favorite Women in History

This Women’s History Month, women-identified staff at Degrees of Change are thrilled to share a roundup of the women who inspire us most. Some are from times past, some are still with us, but all have made a profound impact on the U.S. and world.…
| News

Introducing Seed Teachers

Are you a Tacoma student interested in becoming a teacher? Do you know a Tacoma student who would make a great teacher? We are thrilled to introduce Seed Teachers, an exciting new program by Degrees of Change, Tacoma Public Schools (TPS), and Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) that…
| Blog

What Black History Month Means to Me

From Tacoma to Spokane to Kirkland, Washington, Act Six scholars tell us what Black History Month means to them and why celebrating the Black community is critical all year round. Ephraim Watkins Whitworth University, Act Six Cadre 20 Black History Month is a time of…