Walla Walla University has partnered with College Place Public Schools (CPPS) to offer tutoring services to high school students in the Washington State Migrant Education Program (MEP) with the help of a $25,000 grant CPPS received.

MEP is a statewide federally funded program that was established to provide high-quality supplemental educational, social, and health services for migratory children and their families. This partnership began when CPPS received the grant to provide free tutoring services to high school students—primarily seniors.

WWU already has an established peer tutoring program through the Student Development Center (SDC) for students at the university to receive free academic support and meet their educational goals. Because of this, Anna Inman, migrant program coordinator at CPPS, knew that working with WWU would ensure this high-quality education for her students.

“Many of these students are newcomers, English learners, or have experienced frequent school transitions,” said Inman. “They are bright, resilient, and full of potential—and we wanted to make sure they had every opportunity to thrive.”

Through this program, many CPPS students have connected with WWU students and learned more about the university thanks to efforts from Cindy Saldaña, assistant director of WWU Disability Support Services. One local student in particular connected with their tutor and discovered more about the courses offered and what their schedule could look like. Since then, they have applied and been accepted into the university hoping to study electrical and civil engineering.

This student was grateful for their experience in the program, highlighting the importance of academic resources for migrant students and the opportunity for students and their families to ask questions about colleges and explore all their options. “Programs like this give them answers and more confidence for them to pursue education after high school,” they said.

Inman said, “It has been a Christ-centered effort from every angle... What’s been beautiful to witness is how this program has not only supported academic growth and attendance but also nurtured confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging. Students who once questioned whether college was for them are now imagining themselves at WWU—and some have even expressed a desire to return as mentors next year to inspire others.”

David Lindstrom, director of the SDC, sees immense value in this partnership, not only for the CPPS students but WWU students as well. “They show up every week in the middle of their week to really pour into the high school student mentees,” he said. “I think the program has given our mentors an opportunity to be of service to their community, which builds camaraderie and makes them proud of their university.”

This program is just one example of all the resources offered by the SDC for current and prospective students to thrive in their education. Discover the rest by visiting wallawalla.edu/SDC.

Posted June 23, 2025.