The WordPress open sourceOpen Source Open 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. community currently drives three educational initiatives for the future sustainability of WordPress.
WordPress Credits
Goal: To integrate higher-education students into the global WordPress open source community by offering structured, mentored contribution experience that can count toward academic credit. Students work on real projects that contribute back to WordPress.
How It Works:
- Typically runs over a semester with training, project contributions, and a wrap-up phase.
- Students choose areas like translation, development, documentation, event support, etc., and collaborate with mentorsEvent Supporter Event 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..
Community Support:
- Mentors from the global WordPress community guide students.
- Partner institutions collaborate with the WordPress FoundationWordPress Foundation The 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. to embed the program in curriculum.
- Companies in the ecosystem can sponsor or offer resources.
- A dedicated SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/. channel (#wpcredits) keeps participants connected.
WordPress Campus Connect
Goal: To bring hands-on WordPress learning directly to students at educational institutions through free workshops and events. It helps participants build real skills — such as website building, understanding themes/plugins, and basic SEO — while introducing them to open source and potential WordPress careers.
How It Works:
- Hosted on campus as half- or full-day events with interactive training, demos, and collaboration.
- Organization is open to anyone connected to an educational institution; no prior organizing experience required.
Community Support:
- Local WordPress contributors and experienced volunteers lead sessions.
- Mentors and organizers receive support from the broader WordPress Education team.
- Slack channels (#campusconnect) and community guides help organizers connect and plan events.
WordPress Student Clubs
Goal: To help students build ongoing, student-led WordPress communities on campus — keeping engagement active year-round and deepening learning beyond one-off workshops.
How It Works:
- Campus groups organized by students (with a faculty sponsor) host regular meetupsMeetup Meetup 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., study sessions, and community activities.
- Clubs can form independently or after hosting a Campus Connect event.
Community Support:
- Clubs get access to community learning resources, mentors, and workshop materials.
- Local WordPress contributors and MeetupMeetup Meetup 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. groups often partner to support events.
- Clubs foster collaboration with global WordPress events like WordCamps and contribution workshops.
Overall WordPress Community Support
Across all three programs, the WordPress community plays a central role by:
- Providing mentors, organizers, and volunteers who guide and teach students.
- Offering resources, tools, and guidelines (handbooks, Slack channels, workshop content).
- Helping students connect to the wider WordPress ecosystem, from local Meetups to global projects and events.
- Encouraging collaboration, open source contribution, and real-world project experience.
