Mayor Jon Nehring had hoped to land a four-year college in Marysville. That didn’t happen, but one is opening awfully close by.

Washington State University is having an open house Aug. 15 at its new campus in north Everett. “With its location in North Everett, WSU North Puget Sound at Everett opens up tremendous possibilities for Marysville residents to have significantly increased access to higher education just a few minutes from home,” Nehring said. “This institution is also a very attractive asset for those looking to bring jobs to our area.”

Both Nehring and Marysville schools superintendent Becky Berg were on the advisory council for the college.

Berg, who taught at WSU for five years, said she is thrilled to have the college so close by. “It opens up so many more possibilities for the students of Marysville and Tulalip as they take their next step in preparation for careers, citizenry and for life,” Berg said. “I applaud the visionaries who made this dream into a reality.” Berg said she and Nehring are on the advisory board as key players interested in opportunities it will offer the community. They have been part of discussions on demographics, programs and future plans.

“An overview of what is and what will happen,” Berg said.

City and educational leaders will be there to celebrate a ribbon-cutting at 3:30 p.m., but a lot more is going on, starting at 8:30 that morning.

WSU North Puget Sound offers degrees in Mechanical, Electrical and Software Engineering; Integrated Strategic Communication; Hospitality Business Management; and Data Analytics. An Organic Agriculture Systems program is being planned.

An open house runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each WSU North Puget Sound and Everett University Center program/partner will be assigned a space to engage with community members. •Guided tours will be available at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Visitors will learn about the nearly 30 programs offered in the new building from WSU and the Everett University Center partners.

•WSU’s School of Hospitality Business Management program will have a Food & Drink Tasting with wine, coffee, cheese, bread and fruit in Room 102 at 11:30 a.m., and 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

•At 2 p.m., Eastern Washington University provost Scott Gordon will have an informal discussion in Room 356, and a time capsule ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. At 2:45, Western Washington University president Sabah Randhawa will have an informal discussion.

•The day starts at 8:30 a.m. with an Ethics In Media Panel Discussion in Room 102.