North Central ESD

10/08/2026

Last chance to register for the 2026 Legislative Forum next Thursday, October 15! The event is free and open to employers, educators, parents, and community members. There is an option to attend in person (registration required) or virtually via a Zoom webinar link. Register today at: Registration is FREE! Learn more and register at: https://bit.ly/2026-legislative-forum

10/08/2026

We're for positions with The Bridge Day Program! These positions are based in Moses Lake. Learn more and apply for open positions at www.ncesd.org/jobs // For full benefit details refer to the official job posting and visit www.ncesd.org/employee-benefits

10/06/2026

On September 24, the North Central ESD hosted the first convening of the Math Breakthrough Network in Wenatchee with teams from the Cashmere, Chelan, Ephrata, and Quincy School Districts. The focus of the Math Breakthrough Network is to strengthen math achievement in grades 3-5 by bringing together school-based teams to engage in a structured improvement process. Read more at: https://www.ncesd.org/news/ncesd-hosts-math-breakthrough-network/

10/05/2026

Time is running out to register.

Are you ready for a full day of cybersecurity, AI, workforce, practical defense, and regional connection is coming to Moses Lake.

Join us Wednesday, October 7 for the 2026 Cybersecurity Summit + Tech Trailblazers at Big Bend Community College.

Here’s a look at what’s taking shape:
Opening Keynote with Raj Thiagarajan
Enterprise security, governance, resilience, and what organizations can learn from large-scale cybersecurity environments.

Hacker Tactics 101: Authenticated Access with Joanna Wiggum
Learn how digital footprints, trusted relationships, and human behavior can create real-world risk.

Cyber Offense vs. Defense
Joanna Wiggum and Ian Fitzgerald, MBA, MSc will break down how attacks unfold and how defenders can respond.

Lunch Keynote with Dr. Joseph Williams
How AI is changing cybersecurity, workforce needs, policy, and the way rural organizations prepare for emerging threats.

Cyber + Data Center Programming Tour

Breakout Sessions
Including ransomware, information literacy in the age of AI, and practical cybersecurity strategies for both tech professionals and a general audience.

Commitment Makers Panel

Tech Trailblazers Reception

Close out the day by celebrating organizations making 2026 Digital Access Commitments across North Central Washington.

And we’re not done yet. More sessions and speakers are still being added.

Wednesday, October 7
10 AM–6 PM
Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake

Tickets are free, but registration is required.
Reserve your spot: https://lnkd.in/gJQNCGhM

Come for one session. Stay for the day. Leave with new ideas, practical tools, and stronger connections across the region.

Microsoft | Apple STEM Network | Big Bend Community College | North Central ESD | Thriving Together NCW

10/03/2026

We're for an ASL Interpreter/Tutor! This position will provide services to individual students with hearing loss in school and home environments, in addition to consultations with school staff. Learn more and apply for open positions at www.ncesd.org/jobs // For full benefit details refer to the official job posting and visit www.ncesd.org/employee-benefits

10/02/2026

The 2026 NCW College & Career Expo on October 21 will provide students in our region with an excellent introduction to a variety of career opportunities. The expo is FREE to attend for both students and educators! Learn more and register at: https://www.ncesd.org/event/2026-ncw-college-career-expo/

10/02/2026

There's still time to register to join us in Moses Lake next week!

From the classroom to national security, cybersecurity requires leaders who understand the challenges from every angle.

Meet Dr. Joseph Williams, one of the featured speakers at the 2026 Cybersecurity Summit.

Dr. Williams is the Director of Cybersecurity Programs at Western Washington University and an associate professor of computer science. His experience spans academia, government, research, and industry, including roles with the National Security Institute, Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Infosys Consulting.

He brings a wide-ranging perspective on the cybersecurity challenges shaping our organizations, workforce, and communities.

Wednesday, October 7
10 AM–6 PM
Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake

Reserve your ticket for the 2026 Cybersecurity Summit + Tech Trailblazers Reception here: https://ncwtech.info/CSTTB26

09/30/2026

This moderated panel-style Legislative Forum is open to employers, educators, parents, and community members. Engage in meaningful discussions with representatives, ask questions, and network with individuals passionate about the future of STEM education. Registration is FREE with an option to attend either in-person or virtually. NCW Tech Alliance

Learn more and register at: https://bit.ly/2026-legislative-forum

09/30/2026

Join us next Wednesday, October 7 for the Cybersecurity Summit!

What can local organizations learn from how some of the world’s largest companies think about cybersecurity?

A lot.

We’re excited to welcome Raj Thiagarajan as a keynote speaker at the 2026 Cybersecurity Summit.

Raj spent more than 15 years at Microsoft in growth, partnerships, and security leadership, most recently as a senior strategist within the company’s customer trust and security organization. During that time, he delivered more than 500 executive briefings to Fortune 500 companies and government leaders on security posture, governance, resilience, and the growing impact of AI.

But his experience is not limited to large enterprises. Earlier in his career, Raj helped build a Swedish SaaS company’s U.S. business from the ground up as its first American employee.

That combination gives him a unique perspective: how to take lessons learned at enterprise scale and turn them into practical strategies organizations of any size can use.

📅 Wednesday, October 7 | 10 AM - 6 PM
📍 Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake

Join us for the 2026 Cybersecurity Summit + Tech Trailblazers Reception and hear from Raj alongside regional and national leaders working to strengthen cybersecurity and digital resilience.

Reserve your spot: https://ncwtech.info/CSTTB26

09/29/2026

How does a cyberattack actually unfold?

And what can defenders do to stop it?

At the 2026 Cybersecurity Summit, Joanna Wiggum and Ian Fitzgerald, MBA, MSc will take you inside both sides of the fight.

🔎 Joanna will break down the attacker’s path, from reconnaissance to action on objective.

🛡️ Ian will take the defender’s side, showing how technology, strategy, and smart security practices can disrupt those tactics.

One session. Two perspectives. A practical look at cyber offense and defense, side by side.

📅 Wednesday, October 7
⏰ 10 AM–6 PM
📍 Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake

🎟️ Tickets are FREE, but registration is required.

Reserve your spot:
https://ncwtech.info/CybersecuritySummit26

Join us for the Cybersecurity Summit + Tech Trailblazers and learn how today’s cyber threats are built, detected, and defended against.