Area Report for Board of Trustees

IA helped usher in the holidays as the Communications and Marketing Team produced and distributed holiday and New Year’s Messages. In addition, the team issued a press release about the opening of Jumpin Jambalaya that was picked up by several local media outlets. Government Relations collaborated with ASHC on a productive Legislative Breakfast on December 4 and worked with Foundation team and local officials to host the retirement social for 33^rd District Senator Karen Keiser on December 14 and preparing for a legislative reception in Olympia with RTC and GRC on January 30^th. A number of federal and state grants were submitted, and we received an initial funding award notice from foundry10. IA members attended several community events, including the South Sound Chamber Legislative Coalition on December 17^th.

Core Theme 1: ACCESS, Reduce Barriers and close equity gaps to access for all community members

• Foundation received award notice from foundry10, a regional private foundation, that $107,000 in funding in support of Nursing, STEM Summer Bridge, ACHIEVE internships and CE Discovery STEM camps. These funds will focus on providing opportunities for current and future students in key career fields.

Core Theme 2: STUDENT LEARNING, Increase educational success, collaborate to improve

• In addition to the National Science Foundation grant for the MaST that was reported on in December, two more were submitted in collaboration Economics (James Peyton) and multi-campus collaboration (Eric Baer).
• Support provided for Woody Moses to submit a grant to SBCTC for Climate Solutions and on 1/6/2025, we learned Highline is one of several colleges approved for $19,000 in funding for curriculum development.

Core Theme 3: COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, Create a more inclusive working environment and a more valued, visible relationship with communities we serve

• Highline College, with support from Highline College Foundation, was a sponsor of the South Sound Chambers Legislative Breakfast held on December 17, 2024 in Auburn. 8 regional chambers of commerce held the event to bring business, education and community leaders together to discuss legislative priorities and progress of the coalition from its inception in 2006. Major accomplishments include funding for and completion of transportation projects such as 167 and 509 highway projects, a focus on career and technical education and expansion of apprenticeship programs, and support for the small business community.
• Government Relations worked with ASHC to host the annual student legislative breakfast on December 4, which included a strong turnout of state and local elected officials and student attendees.
• IA staff provided support, (marketing, promotions, hosting and community engagement) for the community celebration recognizing Karen Keiser’s retirement from her position as State Senator for the 33^rd Legislative district. Senator Keiser is also a past trustee of Highline College and has consistently been a champion for Highline and its students. As such, the Foundation presented Senator Keiser a blanket from 8^th Generation and officially welcomed her into Highline’s Circle of Honor in front of the 120+ in attendance.
• Mark your calendars for Thursday, January 30 at 6 pm for the tri-college legislative reception, held in conjunction with Renton Tech and Green River College at Mercato Ristorante in Olympia.

Division Honors and Achievements

• IA and Foundation want to take this opportunity to recognize Tatyana Andreychenko for her consistent work behind the scenes as Operations Manager for the Foundation. Tatyana plays a key role in assuring that funds that come into the Foundation are being put to work in support of students, faculty and staff development and special projects such as student housing, athletics and events such as Black and Brown Male and YELL Summits.

Report submitted by Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Joshua Gerstman