About the Common Read
Common Read is an essential piece of Evergreen's orientation as it brings students, staff, and faculty together around pressing topics and questions.
Reading and thinking about books is central at Evergreen. You’ll be reading texts like the ones presented in Common Read and discussing them with fellow students and faculty.
2025 Common Read
is a Common Listen
The Common Listen for incoming new students is an episode of Northwest Reports, a Cascade PBS podcast that “takes listeners a little deeper into the stories that shape Washington state through in-depth, limited series” (Bernard and Syed, 2022-present).
The episode “First Response: Taking a Public Health Approach to Gun Violence” provides context for everyday people contributing to the public good. This episode explores the work of local doctors leading change in the public response to gun violence.
The podcast’s producers will join us for two events during Orientation as a part of our series on Public College, Public Good.
Northwest Reports a Podcast from Cascade PBS
First Response: Taking a Public Health Approach to Gun Violence
2025–2026
Academic Theme
"Public College, Public Good"
Our 2025–2026 academic theme, "Public College, Public Good", invites us to reflect on the role of public institutions in defending and expanding the public good amid rising global authoritarianism. Engage in events that spark dialogue and inspire action in response to today’s most pressing challenges.