[Lakewood, Washington] — Pierce College is proud to announce that Leolora Wiggins, a student at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, has been selected as a 2026 DREAM Scholar by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization dedicated to advancing community colleges as engines of opportunity, belonging, and economic mobility.
“Leolora's selection as a Dream Scholar affirms the critical role community colleges play in preparing students not only for careers, but for lives of impact,” said Chancellor Julie White, Ph.D. “This national recognition is something we are so proud to celebrate.”
Leolora is one of just eight students nationwide selected through a highly competitive application process to participate in the DREAM Scholars program. The 2026 scholars represent community colleges across the Achieving the Dream Network, including institutions across the United States — including Tribal Colleges and Universities and Gateway to College programs — and in South Africa.
“I am honored to be chosen for the DREAM Scholars program,” said Wiggins. “It has been an incredibly motivating and rewarding experience to share my story and learn from the stories of other DREAM Scholars.”
As a DREAM Scholar, Leolora will take part in an immersive leadership and learning experience at DREAM 2026, Achieving the Dream’s annual convening, to be held in March in Portland, Oregon. During the conference, the DREAM Scholars will engage with community college leaders from across the country and beyond, participate in leadership development opportunities, and attend sessions focused on student success and its role in economic mobility and community prosperity.
Each DREAM Scholar will also deliver an individual presentation at the conference, sharing their personal journey and offering insight into how their college supports student learning, completion, and opportunity. In addition, each 2026 DREAM Scholar receives a financial scholarship to support their educational or personal journey, along with access to leadership development, mentoring, and professional networks.
Leolora is already a graduate of Pierce College, having earned her associate degree in business in 2024, and she is currently working toward her Bachelor of Applied Science in Business at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom while simultaneously finishing her Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security at Colorado Technical University. She currently serves as the President of the Student Veterans Organization – a student group she helped form – and works in the Pierce College Military and Veterans Services office where she helps fellow veterans and other military affiliated students navigate higher education, financial aid, and the job market.
"Being able to work with people like Leolora Wiggins is why I chose to spend my life in public service,” said Veteran Support Services Manager Andrew Pierce, who nominated Leolora for the DREAM Scholars program. “I have watched her go above and beyond for her fellow students making sure they have the support and wisdom needed for them to be successful, never expecting or asking for anything in return. On top of being a truly exemplary person, she is a brilliant scholar excelling in every class and earning multiple certifications along the way to her bachelor's degree”
“At Achieving the Dream, we see students as co-designers of the systemic change we seek to catalyze in our work,” said Achieving the Dream President and CEO Karen A. Stout. “The DREAM Scholars program brings this ATD value to life. Through their stories, the 2026 DREAM Scholars bring clarity, courage, and conviction to the conversations shaping the future of higher education. These scholars remind us that when community colleges center student voice, they strengthen not just individual lives but the vitality of entire communities.”
Pierce College, serving more than 14,000 students annually, is a two-college district with campuses at Fort Steilacoom and Puyallup, along with teaching centers at Joint Base Lewis McChord, and extension sites across Pierce County.
About the DREAM Scholars Program
The DREAM Student Scholars program is an experiential learning opportunity for community college students designed to strengthen leadership, critical thinking, and professional networks. The program integrates authentic student perspectives into Achieving the Dream’s annual DREAM conference and is supported through private gifts from ATD Network members, employees, coaches, board members, and partners.
About Achieving the Dream
Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges nationwide. Through expert coaching, evidence-based practices, and a powerful peer network, ATD supports colleges in building capacity and implementing strategies that help students succeed academically, personally, and economically. ATD’s vision is for every college to be a catalyst for equitable and economically vibrant communities. Learn more at www.achievingthedream.org.