🏫 Campus Support Resources at Pierce College

Pierce College is more than just a place to attend classes—it’s a full-service community designed to support your academic success, personal well-being, and daily campus life. From essential services like campus safety and IT support to enriching spaces like the library, fitness centers, and residence hall, you’ll find everything you need to stay focused, healthy, and connected.

Whether you’re grabbing books, finding quiet study space, getting help with technology, or exploring job opportunities, our campus resources are here to help you thrive inside and outside the classroom. Key services include:

Bookstores, food services, and child care to support your everyday needs
Dental hygiene clinic and health education facilities for wellness and recreation
Technology and academic support through computer labs, libraries, and testing centers
Safety, housing, and career development services to help you feel secure, at home, and ready for your next step

Pierce College is committed to creating a welcoming, resource-rich environment that empowers students to succeed and feel supported throughout their educational journey.

BOOKSTORES

BOOKSTORES

The bookstores at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom and Puyallup carry all required textbooks and a full line of school supplies for your class needs. The bookstores also carry calculators, study aids, spirit items, snacks and more.

CAMPUS SAFETY AND ALERTS

CAMPUS SAFETY AND ALERTS

Officers are on duty 24/7. Visit the campus safety website for office hours. If there is an emergency situation that requires police, fire department or ambulance, dial 911 from any college phone. Emergency phones are located at most college building entrances (see campus maps at the back of this handbook for specific phone locations). Someone should also contact campus safety immediately to provide basic first aid and to direct emergency personnel to the proper location. Criminal or illegal activities at the colleges are not tolerated. Students are asked to immediately report any such activities to campus safety so they may be dealt with in a timely and consistent manner.

Parking Permits: Stop by campus safety with a state vehicle registration (or a photo of your registration) to get a parking permit or carpool pass.
Courtesy services provided by campus safety include:
Lost and Found: Lost and found services are provided in the campus safety office at either college.
Escort Service: Campus safety personnel provide escort service from campus buildings to student vehicles upon request.
Disabled Vehicle Services: Campus safety personnel can provide vehicle battery jumps, vehicle door unlocking if keys are lost or locked inside, flat tire inflation and preliminary investigation of a vehicular collision or auto vandalism report.
Building Access: Campus safety personnel can provide access to secured areas (for example, if personal belongings are left in a classroom). To gain building access during weekends or term breaks, students must have a signed authorization from a division dean or other college administrator.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS

The Pierce College Child Development Centers provide affordable, accessible child care in a quality early childhood environment that recognizes children, parents and staff as part of a campus-based learning community.

COMPUTER LABS

COMPUTER LABS

The Pierce College computer labs are equipped with up-to-date computers and a wide variety of software applicable to all disciplines. These labs provide avenues to increase personal skills with applications such as Microsoft Word, graphic design, spreadsheets, programming and more. The knowledgeable staff is available during all open hours to assist students in building computer skills needed to successfully complete coursework projects.

DENTAL HYGIENE CLINIC

Dental Hygiene Clinic | Fort Steilacoom, Glacier Building, 2nd Floor | 253-964-6694

The Pierce College Dental Hygiene Clinic, located at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, provides low cost preventive and limited restorative dental services to the public.

Who we serve

Everyone! All ages from 4 years old and up.

Who performs the services & what services are offered?

Dental hygiene students perform all services in our new, state of the art Dental Clinic under the expert supervision and guidance of licensed, professional dental hygienists and dentists. Services include oral health assessments, dental x-rays, preventive and desensitizing, services, non-surgical periodontal services, sealants, limited restoriative (tooth-colored and silver fillings, and fluoride treatments. Local anesthesia (numbing) and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) are available.

How does a teaching clinic work?

Your first appointment is a one-hour, free, limited oral health assessment to determine whether your oral health treatment needs can be serviced in our clinic. Please note that as a teaching clinic, appointments typically last up to four hours in length, and it may take several appointments to complete your treatment. Patients must be able and willing to make this time commitment.

Fees?

We are a free-at-time-of-service clinic, and accept Washington State Healthcare Authority (WSHC) Coverage for dental care - Apple Health/Medicaid. Our regular fees are approximately 80-90% less than private dental clinics. Additoinally, we offer special discounts to current Pierce College Students and Military (Veterans, Active-Duty, Spouses, and their Dependents) for select preventive and non-sugical periodontal services. For other dental insurance coverages, pelase contact your insurance company to see if they will reimburse you since payment is required at time of services.

Hours of operation

The dental clinic is open when the college is in session and classes are scheduled.

How to schedule

Please call 253-964-6694 or complete the Patient Appointment Request Form.

Important notice

We are not an emergency dental clinic. If you have dental/oral pain or a dental emergency, please contact the Pierce County Dental Society at 253-274-9744 for a referral.

FITNESS CENTERS

FITNESS CENTERS

Fort Steilacoom Health Education Center (HEC)

The 60,000 sq. ft. Fort Steilacoom HEC offers space to recharge with fitness equipment, open gym, and pickup games. It features a 14,000 sq. ft. gym—home to Raider athletics—and hosts courses in Physical Education, Kinesiology, and Nutrition. The facility includes a high-tech exercise science lab with equipment like the BodPod and CardioCoach. Welcoming staff and bright, open spaces make it a hub for wellness and learning.

Puyallup Health Education Center (HEC)

The 16,000 sq. ft. Puyallup HEC supports health, wellness, and connection with fitness areas, group classes, study spaces, and classrooms. Its open design, natural light, and scenic views create a calming space for students to exercise, socialize, or reflect.

FOOD SERVICES

FOOD SERVICES

At Pierce College Dining, we know that food is more than just fuel—it’s a part of campus life that brings people together. That’s why our team is committed to serving up great food with friendly service in spaces where the campus community can connect and recharge.

IT HELPDESK

IT HELPDESK

The IT Help Desk support services team are the frontline responders for the Information Technology department providing technical customer support for students, faculty and staff across the district. For our students, we also offer exclusive assistance from our Student Technology Assistance Team (STAT) for peer to peer technology help! Our IT Specialists respond to daily customer phone calls, emails and work orders striving to provide top quality assistance to our end users.

JOB AND CAREER CONNECTIONS

JOB AND CAREER CONNECTIONS

Provides resources and services for students, alumni, staff and community members to explore: career options, education pathways, internships, part time/fulltime employment, job search, resume, cover letter, interview skills, funding eligibility and community resource referrals.

LIBRARY

LIBRARY

Pierce College Libraries offer access to over 100,000 print books, 118,000 e-books, 8,000 periodicals, newspapers, DVDs, and more. Students can also borrow Chromebooks, Wi-Fi hotspots, calculators, and media equipment. The Primo catalog provides 24/7 access to books, e-resources, and streaming films from both colleges and beyond via interlibrary loan. Librarians are available in person, by phone, email, and 24/7 chat for research help. They also provide classroom sessions on research strategies. Writing assistance is available in each library, along with a variety of study spaces—including family-friendly and silent areas.

RESIDENCE HALL

RESIDENCE HALL

The Center for Global Scholars (CGS) is traditional campus housing for both domestic and international Pierce College students. CGS values both student independence and a student's need for community. It is a safe residential facility with events/programs and 24/7 assistance that provides opportunities to create meaningful relationships and grow leadership skills that support a student's academic success and personal development.

TESTING CENTERS

TESTING CENTERS

We support you in completing math and English placement. We also proctor multiple exams for Pierce College and from other colleges and universities.

Placement
Proctored Exams