Michael Fuller, a senior in a graduating class of just 23 students in Trout Lake, Washington, has long been interested in a career in IT—possibly even cybersecurity. However, his school wasn’t able to offer any courses in those fields. In many rural areas, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs face significant challenges due to low enrollment numbers and difficulty attracting qualified instructors. Without access to relevant coursework, Michael was told his best options was to go into ranching—the primary career path available in his community. That changed with the launch of the Southwest Washington Rural CTE Cooperative, a program led by ESD 112. Through the cooperative, Michael enrolled in IT Fundamentals, a course taught via Zoom by Hassan Dirye, a highly skilled IT professional.

This opportunity allows Michael to earn his CompTIA A+ certification and receive eight dual credits from Clark College toward an associate degree in networking— saving his family more than $650 in tuition and giving him a head start on his college education. Before the Rural CTE Cooperative, students in remote districts had little to no access to CTE courses and were unable to complete a CTE Graduation Pathway. Thanks to funding and support from the Biller Family Foundation, beginning in 2025, students in rural and remote communities will have access to career pathways in Information Technology, Healthcare, Education, and Finance—expanding opportunities for students like Michael to pursue high-demand careers without leaving their hometowns.