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One of the most consistent things I hear from educators, community organizers, and WordPress professionals who want to bring WordPress education to their institutions and communities is some version of the same question: where do I start?
They have the knowledge. They have the motivation. What they often lack is a clear, structured pathway to go from โI could teach thisโ to actually teaching it.
The WordPress Facilitator Training Program is our answer to that question.
What It Is
The WordPress Facilitator Training Program is a free, open, community-powered program that equips people to teach WordPress topics to others. It is designed for anyone who wants to facilitate WordPress learning: campus educators, community organizers, freelancers, developers, designers, or anyone else who knows WordPress and wants to help others learn it.
There is no application process. No gatekeeping. No prerequisite credential. The resources are free, openly accessible, and built around the spirit of open sourceOpen SourceOpen Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL.: knowledge is not a scarce resource, and the more people who can teach WordPress well, the better WordPress is for everyone.
The program has three components:
Self-guided coursesย on Learn.wordpress.orgWordPress.orgThe community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org/ that build the knowledge facilitators need to teach a given topic
Facilitation guidesย that provide a practical, session-by-session framework for delivering 2 to 3 day workshops, written for people with no prior teaching experience
The WordPress Facilitator Training Program Playbook, which orients facilitators to the program, explains what is in it for them, and gives them everything they need to get started
What We Have Built
The first topic available in the program is Leading WordPress Education Programs: a 9-module, 41-lesson self-guided course covering open source foundations, WordPress basics, contribution pathways, and all three WordPress Education Programs (WordPress Credits, Campus Connect, and Student Clubs).
A fullย 2-3 day workshop facilitation guideย with timed agendas, facilitator talking points, hands-on participant activity sheets, and reference appendices. This is a downloadable document which is available on the course page.
WordPress Education Programs are growing. Campus Connect events are happening at institutions around the world. WordPress Credits is bringing university students into the contributor community. Student Clubs are forming on campuses that never had a WordPress presence before.
Sustaining and scaling that growth requires more than a central team. It requires a distributed network of facilitators who are confident, prepared, and equipped to bring WordPress education to their communities independently.
The WordPress Facilitator Training Program is the infrastructure for that network. It is how we go from a program that depends on a small number of people to one that can grow wherever there are people willing to teach.
It also creates a genuine opportunity for facilitators themselves. Institutions, bootcamps, and companies increasingly need qualified people to deliver WordPress training. Facilitators who build a track record through this program position themselves for those opportunities. And as the WordPress ecosystem continues to develop credential pathways, such as the AI Leaders micro-credential piloted earlier this year at https://wordpress.org/news/2026/02/ai-leaders-credential/, facilitators who complete the relevant courses will be positioned to earn credentials that carry real professional value.
Where It Is Headed
The topic library is just beginning. The first course covers WordPress Education Programs. Future topics will draw from the broad range of WordPress skills and knowledge areas already represented on Learn.wordpress.org, as well as new courses developed specifically for the facilitator program. Every new topic that gets a well-designed course and a strong facilitation guide is another topic that community facilitators anywhere in the world can teach.
If you have expertise in a WordPress topic and are interested in contributing a course or facilitation guide, the WordPress Training Team at https://make.wordpress.org/training/ is the right place to connect.
We Want Your Feedback
The Leading WordPress Education Programs course is publicly available now and under active review. If you explore it, we would genuinely love to hear what you think. A few questions we are actively looking for input on:
Is the course content clear and accessible for a beginner-level educator?
Are there topics or lessons you feel are missing or underrepresented?
Does the course give you enough to feel prepared to facilitate a workshop on these topics?
Beyond the course itself, we are also interested in feedback on the program structure:
What topics would you most like to see added to the facilitator program?
What would make this program more useful to you in your context, whether that is a campus, a MeetupMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook., a bootcamp, or a company?
Are you interested in participating in an internal dry run of the 2-3 day workshop? If so, please note that we are actively looking for volunteers for this step.
The WordPress community has always grown because people show up, share what they know, and help others do the same. This program is an extension of that. We are building something that should not belong to one team or one organization. It should belong to the community.
We are just getting started, and we would love to have you be part of it.
Welcome to the Monthly Education Buzz Report, your go-to source for highlights and updates on the WordPress Campus Connect, WordPress Credits, and WordPress Student Club education initiatives within the WordPress community. This report aims to celebrate, promote, and inform individuals across the WordPress community and beyond about the diverse educational endeavors underway.
WordPress Campus Connect
March was a landmark month for WordPress Campus Connect (WPCC), with events reaching new countries and one of the largest recap articles in the programโs history going live. The programโs impact numbers page was also updated this month, giving organizers fresh data they can use in their own presentations and pitches to institutions.
Completed Events
WPCC KIST College, Kathmandu, Nepal
WordPress Campus Connect arrived at KIST College in Kathmandu with a full day of sessions and workshops. @utsavsinghrathour led a talk on careers in WordPress, followed by hands-on workshops from @codersantosh and Saroj Khanal. Students were engaged throughout the day, and many have already expressed interest in continuing their WordPress journeys and building a stronger community on campus. Organizers thanked Regan Khadgi and the KIST College team for their support in making the event run smoothly.
WPCC Keiser University, Nicaragua โ First WPCC in Nicaragua
The very first WordPress Campus Connect event in Nicaragua took place at Keiser University, bringing a packed agenda of sessions to students in the region. @roblesloaiza (Rita Robles Loaiza) traveled from Costa Rica to speak, sharing her expertise with local students. @alexcu21 provided key support with logistics and on-the-ground execution. Lead organizer @sion99 shared the best outcome: students left so inspired that theyโre already planning to form a WordPress Student Club and are looking into joining WordPress Credits.
WPCC Career Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan โ First WPCC in Pakistan
On February 28, Career Institute in Faisalabad hosted the first-ever WordPress Campus Connect event in Pakistan. Lead organizer Abdul Rahman Pomy brought together more than 90 students and 11 hosts, including speakers, organizers, and volunteers, after a month of preparation and dozens of planning meetings. Jesse Friedman from wp.cloud joined as chief guest via video call, and @devmuhib (Muhibul Haque) served as event mentorEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues..
The event featured sessions from speakers Arfan Ashraf, Qammar Zaman, Usama Ijaz, and Waleed Tahir, covering WordPress fundamentals and career paths. Organizers Adnan Hyder, Sohail Anwar, Irfan Shafi, Muhammad Ikram, and Hamza Ejaz helped coordinate the day, with volunteer Abu Hurrairah supporting on the ground. Certificates included printed advice from WordPress community members Mary Hubbard, Rae Morey, Jeff Starr, Faraz The Web Guy, Chris Badgett, Anne McCarthy, Rich Tabor, and Miriam Schwab. The team is now looking ahead to establishing a WordPress Student Club at Career Institute. Photos and a video recap are available.
Event Highlights: WPCC Jinja 2025 Recap
The comprehensive recap for WordPress Campus Connect Jinja 2025 was published on WordCamp CentralWordCamp CentralWebsite for all WordCamp activities globally. https://central.wordcamp.org includes a list of upcoming and past camp with links to each. this month, documenting Africaโs first and largest Campus Connect program. Over a five-month period (with a two-month break for national holidays and elections), the WordPress Jinja community visited 12 campuses across Eastern Uganda, reaching 1,293 students and 81 educators. Led by @mohkatz (Mohammed Kateregga), the program brought hands-on WordPress workshops directly into classrooms using mobile ICT labs and local technology partners.
Student WordPress clubs were formed at multiple schools during the program, and these clubs will now serve as satellite communities of the WordPress Jinja MeetupMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. while being gradually formalized through the WordPress Student Club program. The next milestone for the Jinja community is WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what theyโve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. Jinja 2026, tentatively planned for September 2026.
The team recognized their mentorsEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues.@piyopiyofox (Destiny Kanno) and @mosescursor (Moses), along with supporters including @webtechpooja (Pooja Derashri), Harmony Romo, @peiraisotta (Isotta Peira), @thehopemonger (Arthur Kasirye), @clk87, and @muddassirnasim (Nasim Miah).
Also in Uganda, WPCC Lira became the third WPCC event series in the country and the first in Northern Uganda โ a sign that the programโs footprint in East Africa continues to expand.
Scheduled and Upcoming Events
Several WPCC events are currently underway or confirmed for the coming weeks:
More events are in planning stages across Indonesia, Brazil, and other regions. Interested in organizing or supporting an event? Join the #campusconnectSlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/ channel.
Other WPCC Program Updates
Mentor program transition. The WPCC-specific mentor program has been retired and merged into the broader Event Supporters program. Eligible WPCC mentors are being onboarded as Event Supporters, and WPCC mentoring responsibilities now fall under the same framework used for WordCamps and other WordPress events. A new handbook page on Mentoring Campus Connect Events was published alongside this change. This streamlines the process, reduces complexity, and builds a more scalable support structure as the program grows.
WPCC Office HoursOffice HoursDefined times when the Global Community Team are in the #community-events Slack channel. If there is anything you would like to discuss โ you do not need to inform them in advance.You are very welcome to drop into any of the Community Team Slack channels at any time.. Campus Connect Office Hours are now taking place in the #campusconnect Slack channel, giving current and potential organizers dedicated time to ask questions and share experiences.
WordPress Credits
The WordPress Credits program saw significant growth in March, with new institutions joining, new course formats launching, and continued momentum among students and mentors.
Program Numbers
66ย active mentors
292ย students currently in the program
8ย graduates to date
18ย partner institutions, across Asia (2), Europe (12), and North and South America (4)
New Partner Institutions
Ten new institutions joined the program this month, more than doubling the programโs institutional footprint. The full list of current partners:
University of Pisa (Pisa, Italy)
Fidรฉlitas University (San Josรฉ, Costa Rica)
Franz Tamayo University / Unifranz (Santa Cruz โ Cochabamba, Bolivia)
Riga Nordic University (Riga, Latvia)
Ahmadโs Education (Dhaka, Bangladesh)
Krakow University of Economics (Krakow, Poland)
Cracow University of Technology (Krakow, Poland)
Central New Mexico Community College (Albuquerque, New Mexico, US)
IES Azarquielย (Toledo, Spain)
Creative Campus โ Universidad Europeaย (Toledo, Spain)
Drew Universityย (Madison, New Jersey, US)
Escuela de Arte Toledoย (Toledo, Spain)
Escuela de Arte de Huescaย (Huesca, Spain)
ERAP Research and Learning LLP (Kolkata, India)
Juraj Dobrila University of Pulaย (Pula, Croatia)
Escuela de Arte de Zaragozaย (Zaragoza, Spain)
IES Venancio Blancoย (Salamanca, Spain)
Zaragoza Dinรกmicaย (Zaragoza, Spain)
Spain now accounts for the largest regional cluster, with seven institutions across Toledo, Huesca, Zaragoza, and Salamanca. This growth reflects the strong engagement from Spanish WordPress communities who have been active in both Campus Connect and Credits.
New Course Formats
Two new course formats launched on Learn WordPress this month:
WordPress Credits โ Self-onboarding Pilotย โ A self-paced onboarding experience designed to let students work through the initial program steps independently before being matched with a mentor.
WordPress Credits โ 50 hoursย โ A condensed version of the program structured around a 50-hour contribution commitment.
These new formats expand access and flexibility for students and institutions with different scheduling needs, making it easier for more people to participate.
Student Spotlight: Self-onboarding Pilot
Out of 10 students from Krakow University of Economics who started the self-onboarding pilot, six are about to complete onboarding and will be introduced to their mentors soon. One student has already decided to contribute to the Community team. One participant shared this feedback:
โIโm already more than halfway through the onboarding โ itโs really enjoyable to go through! A big plus is definitely the simple vocabulary and the fact that I can come back to the course anytime, at any stage.โ
Early results like these suggest the self-paced format is working well for students who benefit from a flexible, go-at-your-own-pace approach.
Mentor Huddles
Two WordPress Credits Mentor Huddles were held in March, timed for different regions:
These regular meetings give mentors a space to share updates, troubleshoot challenges, and coordinate across time zones.
New Sponsor
Smarthost.pl has decided to support the WordPress Credits program and will offer students a domain plus one year of free hosting. This sponsorship is currently being added to the WordPress Credits page. Smarthost.pl joins WordPress.comWordPress.comAn online implementation of WordPress code that lets you immediately access a new WordPress environment to publish your content. WordPress.com is a private company owned by Automattic that hosts the largest multisite in the world. This is arguably the best place to start blogging if you have never touched WordPress before. https://wordpress.com/ and Weglot as program sponsors, providing practical tools that help students build real WordPress projects during their contribution work.
WordPress Student Clubs
The WPCC Jinja recap highlighted a key development for WordPress Student Clubs: the student clubs formed at multiple schools during the Jinja Campus Connect series are now being gradually formalized and onboarded through the WordPress Student Club program. Each club has its own leadership and faculty support and will function as a satellite community of the WordPress Jinja Meetup while operating independently within their schools.
In Nicaragua, students who attended the first WPCC at Keiser University are already organizing to start their own WordPress Student Club. Similarly, the team at Career Institute in Faisalabad, Pakistan, has plans to establish a club on campus as a next step after their successful Campus Connect event.
These developments point to a healthy pattern: Campus Connect events are creating a pipeline of student energy that flows naturally into ongoing Student Club activity.
Other Happenings
New Course: Leading WordPress Education Programs
The Leading WordPress Education Programs course is now live on Learn WordPress. This course is designed for people who want to lead, facilitate, or support WordPress education initiatives, providing guidance on program structure, community engagement, and practical implementation.
These resources, produced by @devmuhib (Muhibul Haque) and @sumitsingh, are a practical toolkit for any organizer setting up an event website using the WordPress BlockBlockBlock is the abstract term used to describe units of markup that, composed together, form the content or layout of a webpage using the WordPress editor. The idea combines concepts of what in the past may have achieved with shortcodes, custom HTML, and embed discovery into a single consistent API and user experience. Editor.
Impact Numbers Updated
The WordPress Campus Connect page on WordPress.orgWordPress.orgThe community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org/ was updated this month with current program impact numbers. Organizers can now reference these figures directly in their own presentations and outreach materials when pitching Campus Connect to institutions and partners.
As WordPress Campus Connect (WPCC) events have continued to grow and mature, so have the processes and documentation that support them. When WPCC was first introduced, we created a separate, WPCC-specific mentorEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. program to meet an immediate need. At the time, information was limited and we needed a focused group to help define, document, and guide this new event format.
Today, that is no longer the case.
With stronger processes, clearer documentation, and an established foundation for supporting WPCC events, we will be retiring the WordPress Campus Connectโspecific mentor program and integrating its responsibilities into the existing Event Supporters program.
Why Weโre Making This Change
Over time, we found that maintaining a separate WPCC mentor group:
Created the perception that WPCC events are fundamentally different from other supported event types โ which is not the case.
Introduced additional process layers on top of an already well-established mentorship structure.
Limited opportunities to leverage the full strength and experience of our broader Event SupporterEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. team.
WPCC events are simply another important event format within our community. By integrating WPCC mentorship into the Event Supporters program, we can:
Ensure more sustainable growth for WPCC events.
Empower more contributors to support these events.
Reduce unnecessary process duplication.
Strengthen consistency across event mentorship overall.
What This Means
The WPCC-specific mentor program will be dissolved.
Eligible WPCC mentorsEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. will onboard as Event Supporters.
WPCC mentoring responsibilities will now be handled within the Event Supporters framework.
Documentation & Resource Updates
To support this transition, documentation has been updated and integrated into existing resources:
Additionally, available WPCC resources will continue to be integrated into established handbook pages as needed.
We believe that dissolving the separate WPCC mentor group and strengthening our existing Event Supporters program is the best path forward. This change allows us to streamline processes, reduce complexity, and build a more resilient and scalable support structure for WordPress Campus Connect events.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to building and mentoring WPCC events thus far โ your work laid the foundation that makes this transition possible.
Bringing WordPress Campus Connect to Malaysia marked an important milestone for open-source education and community-driven learning in the region. On 3 January 2026, the first-ever WordPress Campus Connect event in Malaysia was held at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru, welcoming students, educators, organizers, mentorsEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues., and volunteers for a day dedicated to learning, collaboration, and open-source exploration.
WordPress Campus Connect is part of the WordPress Education initiative, designed to help students learn by doing โ building practical skills with WordPress, understanding open-source values, and exploring career pathways through community-led learning. Hosting this initiative at UTM provided a meaningful opportunity to connect academic learning with real-world digital experience.
Preparing for the Event
Preparation for the event began with close collaboration between the organizing team, volunteers, and mentorEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues.. The goal was to create an inclusive and beginner-friendly environment where students could engage with WordPress beyond theory and gain practical insights into how open-source communities function.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia supported the initiative by providing the venue and encouraging student participation, making it possible to host the first Campus Connect event in the country. Organizers and volunteers worked together to ensure smooth coordination across registration, logistics, audio-visual support, and on-site engagement.
The event was supported by WordPress Community Sponsors, with funding assistance of USD 300 used for printing, swag, refreshments, and other essential arrangements. We are thankful to the global sponsors who continue to enable community-led learning initiatives across the WordPress ecosystem.
Website Setup
Organizing the first WordPress Campus Connect event in Malaysia also provided valuable insights into the operational aspects of running a community-led education event. These learnings may be helpful for future Campus Connect organizers.
Website Setup and Design
The event website was designed following the same standards used across other WordPress Campus Connect events. Organizers should note that the Campus Connect website environment follows WordCamp.org guidelines, meaning:
The website must be built using GutenbergGutenbergThe Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface for WordPress. The editor improves the process and experience of creating new content, making writing rich content much simpler. It uses โblocksโ to add richness rather than shortcodes, custom HTML etc.
https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/ (BlockBlockBlock is the abstract term used to describe units of markup that, composed together, form the content or layout of a webpage using the WordPress editor. The idea combines concepts of what in the past may have achieved with shortcodes, custom HTML, and embed discovery into a single consistent API and user experience. Editor)
Page builders or additional plugins are not available
While this may feel limiting at first, it encourages thoughtful design using coreCoreCore is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. WordPress tools. The dashboard experience is identical to a WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what theyโve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. site, including access to sessions, speakers, organizers, volunteers, and sponsors.
A ticketing page was also enabled, allowing students to register and โpurchaseโ free tickets through the official system, helping organizers manage attendance in a structured way.
Although the setup has constraints, there are still many creative possibilities within Gutenberg. For new organizers, it is recommended to allocate sufficient time for design planning and collaborate closely as a team when structuring the website.
Venue Coordination with the University
Securing the venue required working through the universityโs official venue approval process, similar to how venue agreements are handled for WordCamps. This step is essential for scheduling a Campus Connect event officially.
The venue contract process has recently been improved, with options for both paid and free venue agreements, making it more flexible for universities and organizers. Completing this process correctly is a critical milestone before confirming the event date.
Design and Printing Resources
Most of the official design assets are available through Figma, including:
Logos (multiple formats and print-ready versions)
Posters and covers
Presentation slides
Certificates
Wappu illustrations
Sticker-ready logo variations
The organizing team customized these assets to suit the local event while maintaining the official branding. The design kit also helped guide color selection, which was used consistently across digital and printed materials. Having ready-to-use logo variations made printing stickers and materials much easier.
Issuing Certificates of Participation
All participants received e-certificates of participation following the event. For many students, this recognition carried meaningful value, not only as proof of attendance but as acknowledgment of their first engagement with the global WordPress community.
Several students shared that receiving the certificate increased their confidence and motivated them to explore further involvement in open-source initiatives and future WordPress events.
Behind the Scenes
The success of the event was made possible by a dedicated organizing team led by Mohammad Ibrahim as Lead Organizer, with Nasim Miah serving as Co-Lead. The organizing team also included Yves Tan, Kamil Sharip, Eric Low, Teh Yong Li, Peng Hao and Ts. Chan Ler-Kuan, who collectively supported planning, logistics, sessions, and community coordination.
A committed volunteer team supported the event throughout the day, assisting with registration, attendee support, floor management, audio-visual operations, photography, and logistics. Their efforts ensured a welcoming and well-organized experience for all participants.
Student Engagement and Activities
The event received over 100 registrations, with 54 students attending in person on 3 January 2026. Participants represented five different countries, creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment.
Throughout the day, students actively participated in Q&A sessions, interactive discussions, and the quiz segment. Many attendees stayed after sessions to speak directly with speakers and organizers, asking follow-up questions about WordPress development, UIUIUI is an acronym for User Interface - the layout of the page the user interacts with. Think โhow are they doing thatโ and less about what they are doing. design, freelancing opportunities, and career pathways.
The quiz session generated high energy and enthusiasm, with students competing enthusiastically and celebrating the top performers and lucky draw winners.
This milestone at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia demonstrates how community-driven education can create meaningful learning experiences and lasting connections for the next generation of digital creators.
In the past two years, the WordPress Community has launched a handful of education initiatives. These initiatives are designed to help introduce, onboard, and educate students into the WordPress open sourceOpen SourceOpen Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL. project.
Programs like Campus Connect and WordPress Student Clubs offer students the opportunity for hands-on learning with WordPress, through workshops or ongoing meetupsMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. on campus. WordPress Credits, a contribution-focused initiative, offers onboarding and mentorship that helps learners satisfy academic requirements while directly contributing to WordPress.
Since their launch, these initiatives have grown from the communityโs dedicated efforts, whether thatโs organizers bringing Campus Connect to their local communities or experienced contributors sharing their knowledge as mentorsEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. in the WordPress Credits program.ย
Connecting with educational institutions
There are a number of ways to get involved with these programs, including program support and mentorship. Additionally, spreading the word to other educational institutions is an excellent way to help raise awareness and expand outreach to students.ย
If youโre interested in supporting the education initiatives through expanding their reach, here are some ideas to consider:ย
If you already host your local meetupMeetupMeetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. or WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what theyโve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. on a school campus, consider sharing these programs with your contact. These programs are flexible and designed to help accommodate new organizers and small teams.
Are you connected to a school or other educational institution? Whether a teacher or an active alum, warm introductions can be a helpful way to help start any conversations around bringing these programs into the classroom.ย
Explore ways to integrate student participation into existing local events, whether thatโs sharing an upcoming meetup with your local college or inviting student volunteers into your community events. You never know who you will inspire to create the next student group!
I want to help, but what should I say?
A good place to start is with the WordPress Education page, which offers a helpful overview of all community education initiatives. You can also use the template below for inspiration:ย
Hi [Name],
[Insert a short summary of your connection to the institution and why you wanted to reach out.]
WordPress is an open source software that powers roughly 43% of the web. The WordPress community recently launched several education initiatives that focus on providing students with hands-on learning experience in WordPress. These programs include:
WordPress Credits โ a contribution-based program where students from partnering institutions receive onboarding, mentorship, and guidance as they directly contribute to the WordPress project.
Campus Connect โ a hands on, on-campus workshop event or series led by experienced WordPress contributors or faculty.ย
WP Student Clubs โ student-run WordPress meetups that regularly host on-campus events, providing ongoing education and leadership experience for students.
Each of these initiatives provide great opportunities for students to grow their WordPress experience, while also building transferable skills in a global open source community. If youโre interested in any of these programs, let me know and I can help connect you to the right teams to talk about next steps!
Letโs connect!
If youโre interested in helping to connect these initiatives to other institutions, reach out in the comments or in the wpcredits or campusconnectMake Slack channels with any questions. Together, we can chat through ideas on the best way to approach educational connections and brainstorm ways these programs might fit into your local schools, event series, or communities.ย
Welcome to the Monthly Education Buzz Report, your go-to source for highlights and updates on the WordPress Campus connect, WordPress Credits, and WordPress Student club education initiatives within the WordPress community. This report aims to celebrate, promote, and inform individuals across the WordPress community and beyond about the diverse educational endeavors underway.
17 more events are currently in the planning stages! We are actively working to expand our global reach and bring more educational opportunities to students worldwide. Come find us in the #campusconnect Slack channel.
Event Highlights
WordPress Campus Connect continues to grow globally, with multiple successful events, new resources, and increased community engagement this month.
WordPress Campus Connect Cumilla Housing Estate School & College (Comilla, Bangladesh)
Organizers hosted WordPress Campus Connect โ Cumilla, welcoming 60+ students to explore WordPress and open sourceOpen SourceOpen Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL..
The session covered:
An introduction to WordPress and open source collaboration
A hands-on โBuild Your First Websiteโ workshop
Contribution pathways and career opportunities in the WordPress ecosystem
A closing ceremony with certificates and recognition for top participants
Organizers reported that students were highly engaged throughout the event, showing strong interest in continuing their learning journey.
Campus Connect โ Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET)
On 11 December 2025, organizers successfully organized WordPress Campus Connect โ Rajshahi (RUET), with 95+ students participating.
The event focused on:
Open source contribution pathways
The evolution of WordPress and the role of GPLGPLGPL is an acronym for GNU Public License. It is the standard license WordPress uses for Open Source licensing https://wordpress.org/about/license/. The GPL is a โcopyleftโ license https://www.gnu.org/licenses/copyleft.en.html. This means that derivative work can only be distributed under the same license terms. This is in distinction to permissive free software licenses, of which the BSD license and the MIT License are widely used examples.
Hands-on WordPress website building
WordPress in the age of AI
Ways for students to stay connected with the WordPress community
Organizers reported that the atmosphere was energetic and collaborative, with students actively engaging throughout the sessions.
Interactive WordPress sessions and hands-on workshops
Building websites without coding
Learning about career opportunities in web development, UIUIUI is an acronym for User Interface - the layout of the page the user interacts with. Think โhow are they doing thatโ and less about what they are doing./UXUXUX is an acronym for User Experience - the way the user uses the UI. Think โwhat they are doingโ and less about how they do it., QA, digital marketing, and open-source contributions
Community engagement, networking with mentorsEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues., and practical guidance for contributing to the global WordPress community
Campus Connect Kaliro (Uganda, 2025)
Successfully conducted with 110 students, facilitated by @Stephen Dumba, @Ssebuwufu Moses, and @Mukalele Rogers.
Activities included:
Interactive WordPress sessions and hands-on workshops
Knowledge sharing and practical guidance for building websites and exploring open-source contributions
Community engagement, peer collaboration, and mentorship
Despite network challenges, the event was full of energy and excitement, with organizers stating that students expressed joy and enthusiasm, and many shared positive recommendations for future sessions.
This month marked several exciting milestones for the WordPress Credits program, reflecting continued growth in mentorship, partnerships, and student participation.
We successfully hosted our first WordPress Credits MentorEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. Huddles, creating a new space for mentors to connect, share experiences, and strengthen support for students contributing to WordPress. You can read more about the initiative in the recap post: https://make.wordpress.org/community/2025/12/12/wordpress-credits-mentor-huddles-dec25/
The program was also spotlighted globally, with Universidad Fidรฉlitas from San Josรฉ, Costa Rica featured as a Spotlight of the Week (SOTW) 2025: https://wordpress.org/news/2025/12/sotw-2025/
Mentor capacity continues to scale. The program now has 50 active mentors, including 22 newly onboarded in the past month, significantly expanding our ability to guide and support students throughout their contribution journey.
Educational partnerships are expanding as well. Cracow University of Technology joined the program, bringing us to 7 partner institutions across 3 regions.
Student engagement remains strong, with 99 students actively contributing through the WordPress Credits course:
WordPress Campus Connect is growing, and we need community support to advance key initiatives. We are seeking assistance in the specific areas detailed below. If you are interested in contributing, please comment on this post or reach out to the team in the #campusconnectSlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/ channel.
Campus Connect MentorEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues.
Campus Connect Participant
Documentation
We require assistance with reviewing and creating content:
Education Handbook: Review for clarity of instruction and identify opportunities for improvement.
Community Handbook Program ManagerProgram ManagerProgram Managers (formerly Super Deputies) are Program Supporters who can perform extra tasks on WordCamp.org like creating new sites and publishing WordCamps to the schedule. Pages: Review for clarity of instruction and identify opportunities for improvement.
Draft WPCC Office HoursOffice HoursDefined times when the Global Community Team are in the #community-events Slack channel. If there is anything you would like to discuss โ you do not need to inform them in advance.You are very welcome to drop into any of the Community Team Slack channels at any time. e-guide
Resources Page: Draft a new page in the Education Handbook that includes direct links to essential resources for organizers (e.g., pitch decks, logos).
WP Credits MentorEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. huddles will take place on SlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/ in the private mentor channel, with the following sessions: โ last Wednesday of each month at 9am UTC, starting on January 28 โ last Thursday of each month at 5pm UTC, starting on January 29
This week we hosted the first two WordPress Credits mentor huddles, and it was great to see mentorsEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. joining from different regions to share experiences, challenges, and ideas. Thank you to everyone who made time to participate and help shape the program together!
We discussed the onboarding phase as one of the most critical moments for students to build confidence and start forming connections within the WordPress community. Many students feel overwhelmed by early setup tasks, such as creating accounts and configuring tools, which can slow engagement. This is why is fundamental that mentors have a clear understanding of the full student platform and the entire student journey, in addition to regularly review student reports to stay informed on progress, spot blockers early, and provide timely support.
Communication and engagement
Communication seems to be a recurring challenge, with students often hesitant to ask questions and share progress in an async environment. As a concrete improvement, we agreed to add mandatory steps that prompt students to introduce themselves and regularly post updates in Slack, including in their contribution team channels. Hopefully, this will help normalize communication, increase visibility, and strengthen studentsโ sense of belonging.
Language and learning resources
We acknowledged language as a significant barrier, particularly for Spanish speaking students navigating primarily English WordPress resources. To reduce friction, mentors agreed to expand multilingual support where possible and to enhance the mentor guide with resources that help assess studentsโ knowledge levels and tailor guidance across contribution teams.
Mentorship structure
While we explored the idea of assigning an additional technical or specialized mentor after students choose a contribution team, we confirmed that each student will continue to have one primary mentor assigned before the program starts, supporting them throughout the entire experience. When students choose a contribution area outside their mentorโs direct expertise, mentors will introduce them in the relevant team channels and help connect them with experienced contributors, while remaining responsible for weekly syncs and ongoing check-ins.
Improvements to the mentor course
On the training side, @lidarroy and @evarlese are expanding the mentor course to better support teachers and professionals who may not yet have contribution experience. Our goal is to help them confidently navigate WordPress community spaces and grow into well-prepared mentors.
Retention and community integration
We agreed that retaining graduates in the WordPress community beyond the program is a coreCoreCore is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. goal. We began exploring strategies such as inviting program graduates to mentor new students and creating โday in the lifeโ videos that showcase different contribution roles. Tailored actions aimed at retaining graduates will be defined in January and implemented into the program.
Upcoming cohorts
We will move from rolling start dates to fixed monthly onboarding periods during the first two weeks of each month starting in 2026. The January cohort will start on January 5, followed by February 2โ13 and March 2โ13. From January onward, we will also deliver a shared program presentation before onboarding begins, covering program structure, expectations, tools, and community spaces.
In Q1 2026, we will onboard students from Nordic Riga University, Universidad Fidรฉlitas, Krakow University of Economics, and Central New Mexico Community College, among others, applying these improvements as the program continues to grow.
Mentor huddles
Mentors will start meeting regularly, with monthly huddles becoming a recurring space to share feedback, surface challenges, and continue improving the program together. These sessions are open to all mentors and will take place on Slack in the private mentor channel, with a session on the last Wednesday of each month at 9am UTC, starting on January 28, and a session on the last Thursday of each month at 5pm UTC, starting on January 29.
Want to learn more about WordPress Credits? Visit the program page, join the #wpcredits Slack channel, and take a look at the handbook.
If you wish to apply as a mentor, please carefully read the mentor guide and apply using the form at the bottom of the guide.
Welcome to the Monthly Education Buzz Report, your go-to source for highlights and updates on the WordPress Campus connect, WordPress Credits, and WordPress Student club education initiatives within the WordPress community. This report aims to celebrate, promote, and inform individuals across the WordPress community and beyond about the diverse educational endeavors underway.
11 more events are currently in the planning stages! We are actively working to expand our global reach and bring more educational opportunities to students worldwide. Come find us in the #campusconnect Slack channel.
Event Highlights
Campus Connect Catarroja (Valencia, Spain):
Event held on November 7
Included students and teachers from various educational centers
40+ participants built their first website on WordPress.comWordPress.comAn online implementation of WordPress code that lets you immediately access a new WordPress environment to publish your content. WordPress.com is a private company owned by Automattic that hosts the largest multisite in the world. This is arguably the best place to start blogging if you have never touched WordPress before. https://wordpress.com/
WPCC University of BrahmanbariaWPCC University of BrahmanbariaWPCC University of BrahmanbariaWPCC University of BrahmanbariaWPCC CatarrojaWPCC CatarrojaWPCC ZamboangaWPCC Zamboanga
If youโre interested in what it takes to be a WPCC mentorEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues., read the new Campus Connect Mentor Guide and complete the new Mentoring WordPress Campus Connect Events lesson on Learn WordPress.
Guidebook Published: The WPCC organizer guidebook is now available here.
Call for Testimonials: Seeking testimonials for the WPCC WordPress.orgWordPress.orgThe community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org/ Education page, including:
Links to student-created websites
Student, teacher, and organizer testimonials
Format: Use first name and last name initial or first and last initial with campus name.
Sponsorship Guidelines: WPCC will also adhere to WordPress Credits sponsorship guidelines to not accept sponsorships limited to tools or resources alone; companies must also sponsor one or more mentorsEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues..
Mentor Growth: The program now has 28 active mentors, including 20 newly onboarded in the last month, greatly expanding student support capacity.
Educational Partnerships Expanding: Two new universities joined since the last update โ Madrasa Ahmadโs Education (Bangladesh) and Krakow University of Economics (Poland). We now partner with 6 institutions across 3 regions.
Student Engagement Rising:88 students are actively working on contribution projects through the WordPress Credits course:
9 โ University of Pisa (Italy)
18 โ Fidรฉlitas University (Costa Rica)
31 โ Unifranz Santa Cruz (Bolivia)
30 โ Ahmadโs Education (Bangladesh)
WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what theyโve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. Wrocลaw 2025: @gomp (Matt) Pilarski presented โHow WordPress Builds the Next Generation of Contributorsโ and announced the first official WordPress Credits mentors in Poland โ a key milestone. He also led Contributor DayContributor DayContributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of https://make.wordpress.org/ There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. https://2017.us.wordcamp.org/contributor-day/https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/, guiding newcomers through their first contributions to WordPress.
Riga Nordic University Engagement: On November 24th, Maciej met university leadership to discuss integrating students into the Credits program โ a step toward strengthening the local contributor pipeline and expanding open-source education.
WordCamp Pisa Highlights:
Credits mentors attended WC Pisa and met 6 University of Pisa students in person for the first time.
@marilufranchini (one of the programโs first students) opened Contributor Day with a well-received presentation on her project progress.
Students contributed across Community, Polyglots, and Video teams and held their first in-person team sync, resulting in a plan to relaunch the Italian WordPress community social presence.
@peiraisotta also shared a talk showcasing all WordPress.org educational programs.
Overall student progress has been consistent, impactful, and highly motivating for the community.
WP Credits mentors at WC Pisa 2025.@peiraisotta presenting Education at WC Pisa 2025WP Credits studentsย at WC Pisa 2025 contributor dayWP Credits student Marilu Franchiniย opening WC Pisa contributor day with her mentorย @francescodicandia
WordPress Student Clubs Updates
First Official Session at the GWECA Student Club:
Coordinator: Riddhima Upadhyay, a 3rd-year B. Tech Computer Science student at Government Womenโs Engineering College, Ajmer.
Goals of the Club:
Develop web-creation skills with WordPress.
Enhance digital literacy in CMS, SEO, security, and branding.
Foster creativity and personal projects.
Create a collaborative learning community.
Boost career and freelance opportunities in web design and digital marketing.
Event Highlights: Introduction to WordPress and its significance in powering a large part of the internet.
Covered topics:
WordPress functionality and dashboard overview
Themes, plugins, and essential tools
Website building using WordPress
Career roles: Developer, UIUIUI is an acronym for User Interface - the layout of the page the user interacts with. Think โhow are they doing thatโ and less about what they are doing./UXUXUX is an acronym for User Experience - the way the user uses the UI. Think โwhat they are doingโ and less about how they do it. Designer, Content Creator, SEO Specialist, Website Manager, PluginPluginA plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory https://wordpress.org/plugins/ or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. & Theme Developer
Outcomes:
Students gained digital skills and insights into web development and freelancing opportunities.
Session was interactive, informative, and well-received.
Plans for more workshops and community activities to explore WordPress further.
Club Guide Development: A WordPress Student Club Guide is currently in progress to aid club activities and growth.
Other Happenings
Donโt miss out on the exciting information shared about education at this yearโs State of the Word!
A new WordPress Education Programs handbook has been created to provide information for organizers, collaborators, and mentors on how they can get involved and engage in these programs.
The 2026 Global Partner Program has been announced and includes more community education benefits for sponsors (and the community!).
The call for mentorsEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. is closed. You can submit the form to be considered for when new openings emerge.
Are you passionate about WordPress, dedicated to empowering the next generation, and experienced with organizing impactful events? We invite you to become a Campus Connect MentorEvent SupporterEvent Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. and help shape the future of WordPress education on campuses around the world!
About Campus Connect
Campus Connect is an educational event series bringing WordPress knowledge, resources, and hands-on experience directly to students on their campuses. By joining as a mentor, youโll work alongside driven event organizers who are eager to make a difference in their local academic communities.
Why Become a Mentor?
Empower the next generation of WordPress professionals, contributors and community builders.
Strengthen your leadership, coaching, and event organization skills.
Network with a global community of educators, organizers, and WordPress advocates.
Become a part of the official Campus Connect Mentor group with recognition on WordPress.OrgWordPress.orgThe community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org/.
Contribute meaningfully to WordPressโs mission of democratizing publishing through education.
Mentor Requirements
Time Commitment: Minimum 2 hours per week. This includes a blend of asynchronous support (via online communications) and synchronous support (such as meetings or live sessions with organizers).
Capacity: Mentor 3-5 event organizers at a time.
Dedication: Willingness to guide, encourage, and provide feedback to organizers throughout the event journey.
Mentor Responsibilities
Offer guidance throughout the entire organizing process from initial application to post-event wrap-up.
Unblock and encourage organizers, helping them solve problems and stay motivated.
Review organizersโ plans, providing actionable feedback to help ensure their events are impactful and successful.
Share insights on event best practices, resources, and community standards.
Be a supportive, inclusive, and approachable presence for new organizers.
Host a one hour Campus Connect Office HoursOffice HoursDefined times when the Global Community Team are in the #community-events Slack channel. If there is anything you would like to discuss โ you do not need to inform them in advance.You are very welcome to drop into any of the Community Team Slack channels at any time. call once every two months.
Eligibility Criteria
Must have contributed to the WordPress project (as a contributor or organizer), preferably with prior experience in event organization, community building, or mentorship, with a strong preference for those who have organized or volunteered for a WordPress Campus Connect event.
Demonstrate strong communication, inclusivity, and teamwork skills.
Comfortable with asynchronous digital communication tools and able to attend occasional synchronous meetings.
Willing and able to commit the required time and responsibilities outlined above.
What Support Youโll Get
Orientation and resources to help you get started confidently.
Access to templates, guidelines, and best practices.
A dedicated SlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/ channel for ongoing discussions and peer support.
Regular check-ins from the Campus Connect coordination team.
Additional Information
Prospective mentors will be vetted before acceptance into the program to ensure a positive and supportive organizer experience.
Selected mentors will be recognized for their contributions with a Campus Connect Mentor badge on their WordPress.org profile.
Ongoing support and resources will be provided for mentors throughout the mentorship period.
