Class is in session at The Hub.

The Hub: Federal Way Higher Education Center, located at 1615 S. 325th Street, opened in September as the first post-secondary and adult education center in Federal Way. In-person classes began this month.

“It’s been really great to have students in the building,” said Tammy Hauge, program manager for The Hub. “It has been quite a transition for students to come back to some in-person instruction.”

The campus is a partnership between Highline College, the University of Washington Tacoma, the City of Federal Way and Federal Way Public Schools. The 73,000-square-foot facility has two classrooms, a computer lab and more.

For winter quarter, The Hub is offering two hybrid classes — intro to communications and intro to statistics plus — serving nearly 30 students in total. Soon, a project management professional development course will be offered.

The for-credit coursework is through Highline College and professional development courses are through the UW Tacoma Professional Development Center with instructors from the respective institutions.

In the future, the campus plans to offer short-term certificate classes in early childhood education, healthcare and computer science. Future offerings also include English language learning, adult education coursework and additional professional development or certificate options.

“We want to help people achieve educational goals, and part of that is helping folks become more comfortable with the idea of higher ed in general,” Hauge said.

Hauge and Jenée Stanfield, The Hub’s program specialist for entry and support, are on-site staff.

“If someone comes in and has not idea where to start, we want to have a conversation with them,” she said. The Hub is for all people with higher education questions to visit, explore pathways, talk about career options and use the resources available to them, Hauge said.

“Our general process is going to be helpful and hopefully comforting to people,” she said.

The Hub welcomed community members for tours on Jan. 7. Hauge said people often comment on the “positive energy in the building,” and the students are enjoying the free parking.

U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-District 9) attended the tours, along with Highline President Dr. John Mosby, Federal Way Public Schools Board President Hiroshi Eto and other community leaders.

“The new Hub Education Center offering classes from both Highline Community College and UW Tacoma is a great addition to our community,” Eto said. “Connections to Metro and Pierce Transit make it extremely convenient and brings potential customers for surrounding businesses. I hope the state of the art training rooms and meeting spaces will someday be available for rental by the community on a space available basis.”

In addition to classes, The Hub offers placement and assessment testing options and various support services for students. Short-term rentals of the space may be an option in the future, Hauge said.

For more information, visit fwhub.org.