About the tulalW Student Center

The front of the tulalW Student Center on the main campus of Grays Harbor College
Photo courtesy of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc.

The new tulalW Student Center houses many of GHC’s Student Services departments, including Financial Aid, Workforce Funding & Support Programs, Advising, Placement Testing, and other departments within Student Support Services. The building also features many gathering spaces for students, including the Office of Student Life, Diversity Equity Center, Veterans Lounge, and more.

Instructional spaces and meeting rooms are located throughout the building. The third floor features an event center with room to host 450 people.

Naming the tulalW Student Center

During construction of the new building, GHC reached out to the local Native Tribal Nations for guidance in choosing a name with Native cultural relevance for the new building. The Quinault Nation responded to the request, a committee was formed, and a meeting was arranged with Quinault President Guy Capoeman. The name President Capoeman chose to share with the College was tulalW.

The name, tulalW, means “together,” and fits nicely with the gathering spaces that students, staff, and community members enjoy inside the new building. Since its completion in spring 2024, the tulalW Building has also created a welcoming gateway to campus and an easy entry point for those looking for help starting their college journey.

Pronunciation Guide

Join GHC Tribal Navigator Cherie Edwards as she shares the pronunciation of Grays Harbor College's new tulalW Student Center. While we strive to make all of our digital content accessible for everyone, we chose not to add subtitles to this video. We did this out of respect for the Quinault Nation and their culture, and to avoid anglicizing the Quinault language. We are honored to learn with and from Cherie and the Quinault community.

Special Thanks

GHC would like to recognize the members of the committee for their work in naming the tulalW Building. GHC President Dr. Carli Schiffner, GHC Native Pathways Coordinator Gary Arthur, Board members Dr. Harry Carthum and Dr. Paula Akerlund, Quinault Nation members Tia Allen, Lia Frenchman and Dr. Cosette Terry-itewaste, and Cowlitz Nation member and long-serving Grounds & Nursery Specialist at GHC, Janet Parker.