This is the home of the Make Community team for 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!
Here is where we have policy debates, project announcements, and assist community members in organizing events.
Everyone is welcome to comment on posts and participate in the discussions regardless of skill level or experience.
Get Involved
If you love WordPress and want to help us do these things, join in!
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: @Maciej (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.
After multiple discussions with sponsors, program administrators, and 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 an analysis of the programโs needs, weโre excited to share the latest update on sponsorship opportunities for WordPress Credits.
TL;DR: WordPress Credits has updated its sponsorship guidelines to ensure meaningful engagement and impact. Companies can no longer sponsor tools or resources alone; they must also sponsor one or more mentors to align with the programโs educational goals. The sponsor guide has been updated accordingly.
WordPress Credits connects students from educational institutions around the world with experienced contributors who 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. them through hands-on, real-world 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. projects. The program is made possible thanks to the dedication of mentors, the support of sponsors, and the shared belief that education and contribution can go hand in hand.
The most impactful contribution to WordPress Credits is mentorship, as mentors guide and empower students throughout their first open source experience. For this reason, sponsors can choose to support the program by sponsoring one or multiple mentors, sponsoring mentors while also offering tools that help students contribute effectively and feel confident in their work, or by proposing an alternative type of sponsorship aligned with the programโs mission.
Please note that we do not accept sponsorships limited to tools or resources alone; companies offering tools must also sponsor one or more mentors to ensure meaningful engagement and alignment with the programโs educational goals.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsor a Mentor
Dedicate one or multiple team members to guide student contributors for a minimum of two hours per week available for the entire duration of the program. Depending on their availability, a single mentor can support multiple students at a time while still providing dedicated and thoughtful guidance, helping them navigate open source collaboration and project work.
If youโd like to sponsor a mentor external to your company, please let us know and weโll connect you with mentors who are currently seeking sponsorship.
Sponsor a Mentor + Tools and Resources
These may include tools and resources such as hosting plans, domain names, premium plugins or themes, collaboration platforms, or design and development software. Anything that helps students contribute effectively and feel empowered in their work is welcome.
Other Ways to Sponsor
Examples of other meaningful and impactful ways to support the program and the studentsโ journey include, but are not limited to:
Fund a Scholarship Program Financial contributions help fund travel and attendance for the most outstanding students at WordPress flagship events, where they can meet the global community and continue growing as contributors.
Sponsor an Admin Support a member of the programโs admin team who is responsible for building, maintaining, improving, and growing the initiative. Their work ensures smooth operations, meaningful learning experiences for students, and long-term program sustainability. By sponsoring a contributor through the Five for the Future program, youโll help WP Credits reach more students around the world and make a lasting impact on their lives.
Provide In-kind Sponsorship Help cover essential program expenses such as tools and collaboration platforms. This investment creates real-world connection points and lasting engagement with the community.
Apply and Open Doors for Students in Your Region and Beyond
Weโre happy to discuss the level of involvement that best fits your companyโs capacity. Together, we can strengthen the WordPress project and empower the next generation of contributors.
Weโre currently reaching out to active sponsors to ensure their contributions align with the updated sponsorship guidelines, and we want to thank all existing sponsors and those who have recently applied for their understanding, collaboration, and continued support.
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.
12 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 Kolhapur 2025
Over the October 4th weekend, the third event wrapped up at KITโs College of Engineering with over 157 attendees exploring WordPress fundamentals and building their first web pages. Although 130 registrations were initially opened, more tickets were added at the instituteโs request.
This event series ended with a fourth event over the October 11th weekend. The campus partner was DKTEโs Textile and Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji, an alumnus institute. Attendance count exceeded 100+, and similar to previous events, a quiz was hosted where 6 winners were announced.
WordPress Campus connect Jinja 2025
On October 4th, #WPCCJINJA25 continued at Macedonian Vocational Institute, Jinja where over 100 students participated in a hands-on workshop using a mobile lab.
The first official WordPress Campus Connect event in Bangladesh was held in Kishoreganj, with 42 students in attendance!
WordPress Campus Connect Udupi engaged with 120 students to build 120 websites on the October 3rd/4th weekend! The event was also featured in the UDAYAVANI KANNADA DAILY and SUDDI MANE newspapers.
Aryabhatta College of Engineering & Research Center: Yash Soni & Vishal Israni
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. Dhaka 2025 hosted a 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/. Campus Connect Table where information about the program was shared with community members.
Riga Nordic University (from Riga, Latvia, EU) signed the agreement to join the WordPress Credits Program, and is currently working on onboarding its first student participants!
Mentors Course: A course has been created to train future WordPress Credits program 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..
Mentors welcome:8 new mentors have been onboarded to the program.
University partnerships:4 universities have confirmed their participation: Pisa University (Italy), Fidรฉlitas University (Costa Rica), Universidad Privada Franz Tamayo (Unifranz Santa Cruz, Bolivia), and Riga Nordic University (Latvia). Many others have expressed interest and started the process to get involved with the project, including the University of Lynchburg, Central New Mexico Community College, and Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Czech Republic).
Student engagement:51 students are already starting to work on their contribution projects through the WordPress Credits course (10 from the University of Pisa, Italy; 18 from Fidรฉlitas University, Costa Rica; and 23 from Unifranz Santa Cruz, Bolivia).
Platform updates: The student platform and processes have been enhanced with new lessons, videos, and guidelines to select their WordPress contribution project.
Graduate Badge: Now, once a student completes the program, the graduate badge will automatically appear on their WordPress.org profile.
Linux Day: Participation in Linux Day in Bari involved presenting the project to an audience of high school and university teachers and students, within the context of open-source initiatives. This led to follow-up contact from attending educators interested in bringing WPCredits to three universities in Puglia and several high schools in Bari.
Other Happenings
Development is currently underway for a landing page on the WordPress.org website that will showcase and share information about all current educational initiatives.
Universities and Educational Institutions: If you are interested in participating in the WordPress Credits program, please reach out by filling the interest form.
Students: If youโre a student and find this project interesting, please share it with your professors or academic advisors, as applications must be submitted by your institution.
Companies: We invite companies in the WordPress ecosystem to support this initiative by:
Sponsoring mentors to guide new contributors.
Providing tools and resources that help students succeed.
The WordPress Campus Connect Cartago 2025 kicked off on July 4th at the HHC Academies, inside the BeeNova HHC Innovation Center. It was the first Campus Connect ever held in Latin America and Costa Rica โ a milestone for the global WordPress community and an inspiring model for future editions across the region.
The opening session brought together 89 attendees, mainly students from the Vocational School of Arts and Crafts (COVAO) โ both day and night programs โ along with five speakers and three volunteers.
Inspiration in Action: From Student to Digital Entrepreneur: Adriรกn Matarrita
Build Your Personal Brand: Use Your Website to Stand Out:Lidia Arroyo
What Should Your Website Have to Stand Out and Make an Impact?: Francisco Leitรณn
Creating Your 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/: From Idea to Action: Luis Matarrita
WebChallenge: โYour Idea, Your Site, Your WordPressโ
Following the opening event, the WebChallenge began โ a five-session learning journey where students developed real web projects. The program started with 18 students and 12 teachers and administrative staff who were also eager to learn. Eight students completed the full program and presented their final projects.
Throughout the sessions, participants received mentorship from the WordPress community and worked on the following topics:
August 23, 2025
Storytelling: Turn Your WordPress Site into a Unique Experience โ Vladimir Fonseca
During the closing ceremony, students showcased the projects they developed throughout the WebChallenge:
TuBecaCR: a website that gathers scholarships and courses.
TeenPlace: an inclusive space for teenagers.
AmbientateCR: A Costa Rican initiative that seeks to make caring for the environment a daily habit.
LockerGo: asynchronous learning in different areas.
Psychology: resources and tips for emotional well-being.
Social Activities for Teenagers in Cartago.
Pokรฉmon Competitive Site.
Personal Portfolio.
Closing Event
The closing ceremony of WordPress Campus Connect Cartago 2025 was held on October 11th at COVAO and featured representatives from the HHC Academies, Universidad Latina (which granted the main prize), the Costa Rican Chamber of SMEs, speakers, volunteers, and members of the WordPress community.
Studentsโ parents were invited as special guests to acknowledge their support throughout the process. The institution organized a celebration with refreshments for everyone, strengthening the bond between the community, families, and education.
An additional group of students from other HHC campuses attended as the audience, aiming to inspire them to join future Campus Connect editions and WordPress projects.
Each participant received:
A certificate of participation
A ticket to 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. San Josรฉ 2025 (including transportation provided by the institution)
Mentorship and business coaching scholarship by Peper La Agencia
Second Place:
AirPods
wag bag
Mentorship and business coaching scholarship by Peper La Agencia
The winning project, TuBecaCR, is an initiative that seeks to make access to student scholarships in Costa Rica easier. Christopher Zรบรฑiga will be presenting this inspiring project during WordCamp San Josรฉ 2025.
Special Thanks
We extend a special thanks to Francisco Leitรณn, who served as the main facilitator of the program. Week after week, he guided students with patience, dedication, and genuine passion for teaching. His leadership was key in helping participants turn their ideas into real, functional websites โ a true reflection of the WordPress community spirit.
The success of this project has opened new opportunities: COVAO has made its seven campuses across the province of Cartago available for the WordPress Cartago Community to host future 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., WordCamps, and other community events.
In addition, the teaching staff is collaborating to establish a WordPress Study Club, allowing students to continue learning and practicing with new generations.
The WordPress Campus Connect Cartago 2025 shows how collaboration between the community, educational institutions, and local partners can open new doors for students โ nurturing interest in open-source technology and creating a sustainable impact in the community.
โจ When education, community, and a passion for WordPress come togetherโฆ great stories are born! ๐
WordPress Youth Day Nicaragua (WPYDNI) is an event organized by a group of volunteers from the Nicaraguan WordPress community, supported by the WordPress LATAM community, and sponsored by WordPress community members around the world, Global community sponsors and local companies. Our mission is clear: to promote the use of technology and make technological education accessible to future generations.
WPYD 2025: A Landmark Success
The 2025 WPYD, held on October 11th in Managua, Nicaragua, was a tremendous landmark for our community. We hosted 75 young people aged 8โ20 years old, supported by 10 organizers, 15 local volunteers, and 16 speakers from across LATAM.
Empowering the Next Generation: Two groups of attendees successfully created their own working WordPress websites! More than 50 young people learned how to build professional portfolios and online stores. The speakers gave great tips and feedback on how to create a compelling website, from initial design to publishing.
Teenage Speakers Inspire: A true highlight was our three teenage speakers, aged 12-14, who led talks on security, finance, and web tools. It was wonderful to see them confidently share their knowledge. They left the event feeling motivated, expressing their desire to start a WordPress club in their local area!
WPYDNI25 had a full, dynamic agenda. The sessions and chosen topics were carefully separated by age group to best match the needs of each young attendee. (You can take a look at the full agenda here.)
The Launch and Impressive Growth
This success was built on the foundation of our initial launch in 2024 with 35 attendees aged 8 to 15 years old.
The positive feedback from children and parents was instantaneous. In fact, parents who attended our first event were so inspired that they wanted to volunteer for the 2025 event, helping to promote it across their businesses and neighborhoods! We were thrilled to see this community support pay off in 2025, allowing us to meet our goal and double the attendance compared to the previous edition.
A Community Effort
The positive feedback from the children and parents was overwhelming and motivates us to continue! We owe a special thank you to the speakers from the WordPress LATAM community who joined us: Karen Mendez (Venezuela), Pamela Miralles (Guatemala), Paola Zorro (Colombia), Alfredo Navas (Costa Rica), Lilliam Montoya (Costa Rica), Misael Campos (Honduras), and Ramon Corrales (Panama). They truly embodied โvolunteering with a purpose,โ contributing their knowledge directly to future generations.
Finally, WordPress Youth Day Nicaragua was made possible thanks to every organizer and volunteer who dedicated their time. A huge thank up to our Nicaraguan organizers who poured months of effort into the event: Alex Cuadra, Mario Rocha, Aura Lila Gutierrez, Valeria Pilarte, Marvin Gonzalez, Misael Campos, Juan Tijerino, Marconi Poveda, and Karen Torres. We also had incredible support from our young WordPress community volunteers: Lavinia, Seyling, Roger, Rene, Lucia, Maria, Steven, Ailin, Lourdes, and many more!
Iโm sharing some photos from the event and how WordPress Youth Day Nicaragua 2025 was experienced.
Speaker: Eleana Campos.
Speakers aged 12-14.
Group 8-12 years oldGroup 13-16 years old
Group 17-20 years old
Event Group Photo
it only remains to say that there is great satisfaction with the results of WordPress Youth Day 2025; everyone left wanting more events like this. Hopefully, more initiatives like this will continue to inspire future generations of WordPress developers in Latin America. Thanks to everyone who contributed!
Weโve been getting a great question lately: whoโs allowed to organize a WordPress Campus Connect event? The short answer: anyone in good standing!
WordPress Campus Connect is designed to break down barriers and make it easier for more people to get involved. You donโt need to be a longtime community member or have prior organizing experience. If you have a connection to an educational institution and want to help students learn practical WordPress skills, youโre welcome to host a Campus Connect event.
So, who can organize a WordPress Campus Connect event?
Simply put, anyone in good standing with a connection to an educational institution is eligible to organize a WordPress Campus Connect event. Our main goal is to help students learn practical skills and connect them with the amazing WordPress community, and part of that is by breaking down the barriers to get started.
Ready to get started? Hereโs how:
To begin your journey as a Campus Connect event organizer:
Once you submit the form, our team will be in touch with the next steps and offer all the support you need.
You can also find more detailed information and helpful guidance in the Community Handbook. For direct support and to connect with other organizers, feel free to join the #campusconnect channel on Make SlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/..
We truly encourage you to get involved and help empower the next generation of WordPress enthusiasts!
Additional Support
Two info sessions on WordPress Campus Connect were held on October 9th. You can find the replays linked below โ note that the Q&A at the end of each session is different, so it may be worthwhile tuning in for that portion of both sessions.
Welcome to the Monthly Education Buzz Report, your go-to source for highlights and updates on all education-related 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
An introductory seminar was held for 25 students at Govt. Mohammadpur Model School & College in Dhaka on September 3rd.
Over the September 6th weekend, 120 students attended a Campus Connect workshop at Government Engineering College, Ajmer!
WordPress Campus Connect Kolhapur kicked off on September 13th, bringing WordPress education to 89 students on the first workshop day, and 83 students the second day, with 70 students submitting their answers to a quiz that had 4 winners.
A seminar was conducted at Government Women Engineering College, Ajmer on September 16th, setting the stage for their Beginnerโs Workshop that followed on September 20th.
Also on Saturday, September 20th, WordPress Campus Connect Udupi held a 50 student session at Shree Guru Sudhindra College, Bhatkal.
70 Students joined for an introductory WordPress session at Dhaka City College, a precursor to the city-wide WordPress Campus Connect Dhaka event that is currently in planning.
WordPress Campus Connect Pontevedra held their event on September 22nd at the Faculty of Communication, University of Vigo, where 40 students joined to learn about design, SEO + AI, digital communication, and how to build their own WordPress website.
Call for Mentors opened: We have already received several applications, and applicants can expect a response by the end of October.
University partnerships: 2 universities have confirmed their participation, Pisa University (Italy) and Fidรฉlitas University (Costa Rica). Many others have expressed interest and started the process to get involved with the project, including the University of Lynchburg, Central New Mexico Community College, Unifranz (Bolivia), Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Czech Republic), and Riga Nordic University (Latvia).
Student engagement: 10 students from the University of Pisa are already starting to work on their contribution projects through the WordPress Credits course.
Pitch deck translations: Our pitch deck has already been translated into 7 languages โ English, Spanish, Polish, Italian, Bengali, Gujarati, and Malaysian โ with more on the way.
Platform updates: We enhanced the student platform and processes with a welcome videoโ, walkthroughs, and improved guidelines
The team is also working on the following:
Course 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.
WordPress Campus Connect AjmerWordPress Campus Connect San JosรฉWPCC Pontevedra โ Faculty of Communication, University of VigoWPCC Udupi โ Shree Guru Sudhindra CollegeWPCC Ajmer โ Government Engineering CollegeWPCC Kolhapur โ D Y Patil School of Engineering and ManagementWPCC Dhaka โ Govt. Mohammadpur Model School & CollegeWPCC Ajmer โ Government Women Engineering College, Ajmer
Get Involved
WordPress Campus Connect
Organizers: If youโre a contributor or member of an educational institution interested in organizing this kind of event, fill out this form.
Universities and Educational Institutions: If you are interested in participating in the WordPress Credits program, please reach out by filling the interest form.
Students: If youโre a student and find this project interesting, please share it with your professors or academic advisors, as applications must be submitted by your institution.
Companies: We invite companies in the WordPress ecosystem to support this initiative by:
Sponsoring mentors to guide new contributors.
Providing tools and resources that help students succeed.
At the Faculty of Computer Science of Universidad Fidรฉlitas, we have taken a historic step: we signed an agreement with the WordPress FoundationWordPress FoundationThe WordPress Foundation is a charitable organization founded by Matt Mullenweg to further the mission of the WordPress open source project: to democratize publishing through Open Source, GPL software. Find more on wordpressfoundation.org., turning our Computer Science students into key players in a global experience. Thanks to this partnership, every student will have the opportunity to complete an official internship through WP Credits, directly connecting with the WordPress community and its impact-driven projects.
This agreement reflects a deep conviction: higher education must be tied to the real digital ecosystem, with experiences that prepare students for jobs and to become agents of change within global tech communities.
Elineth Morera Campos (DeputyProgram SupporterCommunity Program Supporters (formerly Deputies) are a team of people worldwide who review WordCamp and Meetup applications, interview lead organizers, and keep things moving at WordCamp Central. Find more about program supporters in our Program Supporter Handbook. Director of 100% virtual courses at the Faculty) together with Mary Hubbard at the signing of the WPCredits agreement at WCUS25.
The Birth of the WordPress Campus Connect San Josรฉ 2025
To celebrate this alliance, we organized the first WordPress Campus Connect in San Josรฉ, Costa Rica, from September 23 to 25, 2025.
This event marked a milestone as the first WordPress Campus Connect held in Latin America within a university, open to participation from any individual who was a university student, regardless of their field of study or academic level, and carried out in a three-day hackathon format. Throughout the event, participants engaged in hands-on workshops, received direct mentorship, and took part in the WordPress HackLab, a competition designed to transform ideas into digital products with real societal impact.
Photo taken by Gabriel Ramirez, volunteer at WordPress Campus Connect San Josรฉ 2025
Photo taken by Gabriel Ramirez, volunteer at WordPress Campus Connect San Josรฉ 2025
Photo taken by Gabriel Ramirez, volunteer at WordPress Campus Connect San Josรฉ 2025
The Workshops: Learning with Energy and Creativity
The heart of Campus Connect lies in the eight workshops that guided students step by step in building their projects:
From Zero to Website in 90 Minutes โ How to quickly start and launch a functional site.
Your Digital Empire, Brick by Brick โ Strategic construction of a solid, scalable website.
Think Like a Rebel: Create Without Asking Permission โ Fearless innovation, exploring creative freedom with design thinking.
Letโs Dress Up: Branding that Hypnotizes โ Keys to visual identity and branding to stand out online.
Secret Vitamins for Your Website: What WordPress Doesnโt Tell You โ Advanced tips and features to power up any site.
So Engaging Theyโll Read with Eyes Closed โ Strategies for clear, persuasive, and AI-enhanced content.
Houston, We Have a Website! (Go Live) โ How to move a project from testing to production.
Your Story on Fire (and in 3 Acts) โ Digital storytelling and impactful project presentations.
These workshops were not only technical but also creative and strategic, showing students that WordPress is a living, open, and limitless ecosystem.
Cely Cruz, co-organizer of WPCCSJ25, giving her talk
Daniel Solano, speaker at WPCCSJ25 giving his talk
Ariel Ramos, speaker at WPCCSJ25 giving his talk
Rita Robles Loaiza, Lead Organizer of WPCCSJ25 giving her talk
Nicole, Nazareth, and Yiqi, co-organizers of WPCCSJ25 and speakers at the event, before giving their talk.
Rosita Pereira, Co-organizer of WPCCSJ25 giving her talk
The Challenge: โReconnecting the Humanโ
The central competition of the event was the WPCC 2025 Challenge: Reconnecting the Human.
The challenge stemmed from a paradox: we have never been so digitally connected, yet we have never felt so lonely. In response, teams had to create a digital product, presented in WordPress, that strengthens in-person human relationships within the university or local community.
The proposals were aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 10, and 11) and ESG principles. Within this framework:
SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) encouraged initiatives to strengthen emotional health and reduce loneliness.
SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) inspired inclusive and accessible solutions for the entire community.
SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) motivated proposals to rescue traditions and foster coexistence in public spaces.
At the same time, ESG principles framed the action plan: environmental care, positive social impact, and ethical, participatory governance. WordPress became the showcase to tell the story of the problem, the value proposition, the digital product, and the expected impact.
Photo taken by Gabriel Ramirez, volunteer at WordPress Campus Connect San Josรฉ 2025
Photo taken by Gabriel Ramirez, volunteer at WordPress Campus Connect San Josรฉ 2025
Photo taken by Gabriel Ramirez, volunteer at WordPress Campus Connect San Josรฉ 2025
The Organizing Team: The Force Behind the Event
None of this would have been possible without the dedication of a passionate organizing team that brought this first WordPress Campus Connect to life:
They were responsible for transforming a vision into a real experience, coordinating workshops, 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., logistics, communication, and every detail to make the event shine.
Part of the team of volunteers and organizers of WordPress Campus Connect San Josรฉ 2025
Organizing Team of WordPress Campus Connect San Josรฉ 2025
WordPress Club Fidรฉlitas and Its Podcast
Another historic milestone was the official founding of the WordPress Club Fidรฉlitas, a permanent space where students, faculty, and the community can come together to learn, share, and contribute to the WordPress ecosystem.
As part of this initiative, the Clubโs podcast was launched, where we will talk about:
WordPress and its impact on the global web.
Technological innovation applied to education.
Academic and community experiences from Fidรฉlitas.
This podcast will serve as a bridge between academia and the international WordPress community, amplifying the voices of our students and their projects.
The WordPress Campus Connect San Josรฉ and the agreement with the WordPress Foundation are just the beginning.
Every student who participates in this program will take with them not only technical WordPress skills but also the experience of belonging to a global community, working with purpose, and using technology to generate human impact.
Inspiring Transformation
With this event, we proved that a university can be innovative, close, and global at the same time.
The invitation is clear: to keep dreaming, creating, and reconnecting the human through technology. Because when academia and community walk together, the impossible becomes reality.
Group photo of WordPress Campus Connect San Josรฉ 2025 taken by Manuel Macias, volunteer from the WordPress San Josรฉ community.
