In the Spotlight

Stay updated with the latest news and updates from the WE Will! K-16 Collaborative. Here, you can find featured articles, important announcements, and more.

Featured

WE Will! Collaborative Takes Center Stage at Press Conference with Governor Newsom

On April 2, 2026, McKenna Salazar, Executive Director of the WE Will! K16 Collaborative, was invited to attend a press conference hosted by Governor Gavin Newsom at Modesto Junior College...

WE Will!

April 03, 2025

Latest News

Strengthening Pathways with ARCHES: WE Will! PBL Workshop Impacts Gustine Unified Schools

In June, ten dedicated educators from Gustine High School participated in a transformative two-day Project Based Learning (PBL) workshop sponsored by the WE Will! Collaborative that exemplified the collaborative approach needed between K-12 education and industry partners.

WE Will!

June 07, 2025

A Unified Vision: WE Will! K-16 Collaborative and CCGI Champion Regional College Planning

This quarter, we are pleased to highlight our strong partnership with the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) through a successful regional workshop. Hosted in early May by the Stanislaus County Office of Education, the event welcomed 98 attendees and served as a valuable opportunity...

WE Will!

May 01, 2025

WE Will! and Career Ladders Spark Change in Dual Enrollment Access with Regionwide Workshop

WE Will! K-16 Collaborative, in partnership with the Career Ladders Project (CLP), convened a Dual Enrollment Workshop for partners across the region. The session, facilitated by Ms. Kylie Campbell, Director of CLP, involved collaboration with the WE Will! Facilitation Team and included engagement with Community College partners to collect and analyze dual enrollment data.

WE Will!

April 08, 2025

More In The News

WBL In Action! Summit

WE Will! WBL In Action! Summit Recap: A Day of Inspiration and Insight on February 6, 2024, UC Merced proudly hosted the WE Will! WBL In Action! Summit, bringing together educators, students, and industry leaders for a day of powerful conversations and transformative learning.

WE Will!

March 04, 2025

NextGen MedPros

The NextGen MedPros program has achieved impressive success in attendance, retention, and engagement by collaborating with committee members and prioritizing youth voices. Students have shown significant growth in professionalism, including a 97% task completion rate. The program also supports student success by addressing transportation barriers, providing healthy snacks, and offering mentorship, scholarships, and access to healthcare conferences.

HealthForce Partners of NSJ

March 03, 2025

Apprenticeships Reaching Career Horizons

This quarter, significant strides were made in enhancing the apprenticeship program, with a focus on apprentice training and expanding opportunities. Apprentices received essential training for completing their On-the-Job Training (OJT) reports, while a survey identified the need for improved attendance and relationship-building with the Center of Excellence (COE). Meetings throughout the quarter helped refine standards and align the team’s vision. The ARCH webinar also generated interest in youth apprenticeship programs, encouraging individuals to explore starting their own initiatives.

San Joaquin County Office of Education

March 03, 2025

Project Heart

The HOSA program is making incredible strides, with Anatomy and Physiology students diving into the world of HOSA and Health Careers Academies, sparking excitement and engagement. A recent HOSA Q&A session provided students with valuable insights, while outreach efforts to Health Career partners for guest speakers continue to enrich the experience. Faculty members also attended the Stan State Advisory Panel and participated in a HOSA event on 11/22/24, where students gained hands-on leadership skills that will shape their future.

Linden Unified School District

March 03, 2025

UC Merced-led WE Will! Awards $14.2 Million to Education, Health Partners

UC Merced-led WE Will! Workforce and Education Collaborative has awarded an additional $4.2 million to education and healthcare partners in Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.

UC Merced

November 09, 2024

Stanislaus State students find inspiration to enter a career in teaching

A group of Stanislaus State University students is getting motivated to enter the teaching profession to educate the next generation of students in the Central Valley. Ana York, a Stanislaus State assistant professor of teacher education, helped establish two chapters of Educators Rising— one with Modesto City Schools and the other with the university.

Taylor Johnson (Modesto Bee)

September 17, 2024

WE Will! K-16: CVHEC dual enrollment projects in North Valley

Two $400,000 state grants in partnership with the WE Will! K-16 Workforce and Education Collaborative will expand Central Valley Higher Education Consortium initiatives into the North Valley: the Master’s Upskilling Project and the Central Valley Math Bridge program.

Tom Uribes (CVHEC Communications/Media Coordinator)

September 12, 2024

UC Merced-led Collaborative Awards $10.6 Million to Community, Education Partners

The WE Will! Education and Workforce Collaborative, spearheaded by UC Merced and composed of partners from Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, has awarded $10.6 million to community and education partners in the tri-county region.

UC Merced

May 09, 2024

UC Merced-led Regional Education Collaborative Awarded $18.1 Million in State Funds

An education and workforce collaborative spearheaded by UC Merced and composed of partners from Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties was awarded $18.1 million by the California Department of General Services (DGS) as part of the K-16 Education Collaborative Grant Program. WE Will! The Northern San Joaquin Valley K-16 Regional Partnership was one of four collaboratives across the state recently selected to receive an award.

UC Merced

November 22, 2023

UC Merced in Partnership with the K-16 Workforce & Education Collaborative Receives State Planning Grant

The University of California, Merced, as the lead agency working in collaboration with partners from Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, was awarded a planning grant for $250,000 to plan and design streamlined pathways for students from high school to postsecondary education to the workforce.

UC Merced

November 07, 2022