Our College & Location

About Washington State

Our region’s distinctiveness and overall contribution to American history and society are tied to the fact that the Pacific Northwest is a key element of the Pacific Rim, a political and economic designation of countries on the edges of the Pacific Ocean.  There are many economic and educational centers around the Pacific Rim, and this region enjoys great diversity as a gateway of international trade and global education. A robust agricultural and maritime industry alongside a booming high-tech field makes Western Washington an international economic and social hub. 

Washington State is home to some of the country’s best and most innovative employers, including Microsoft, Starbucks, REI, Nordstrom, Adobe, Expedia and Google, to name some of the more prominent.  Most prominently, the Puget Sound area is synonymous with the manufacturing of airplanes by the Boeing Company, which remains a significant contributor to the economic health of the state. We will schedule visits to a selection of these companies so you can experience and learn from these exemplars of leadership and the American style of entrepreneurship.

Additionally, Washington's Native American heritage is rich and colorful. The Northwest Indian culture evokes distinctive images of salmon fishing, mythical animal motifs, cedar forests, dugout canoes, totem poles, potlatches, ceremonial masks, and skillful woodcarving. There are 26 reservations throughout the state, with the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation located in Auburn itself, and our community is enriched by the tribe’s historical and cultural contributions.