Area Report for Board of Trustees

Thank you for your continued support of Highline College students and programs. During the month of March, the Student Services Division continued advancing work aligned with Highline College’s core themes of Access, Student Learning, Community Partnerships, and Culture and Capacity. Across the division, teams focused on strengthening student engagement opportunities, improving financial aid and advising systems, expanding transfer and advising services, and celebrating student achievement.

This month included important milestones such as the presentation of Financial Aid Advisory Committee recommendations for upcoming Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy updates, strong outcomes from the TRIO Student Support Services Annual Performance Report, La Conexión College Access Event, and expanded advising access through the Advising Center’s presence in The Hub. Student leadership development also remained strong through programs such as the Winter Leadership Retreat, while athletics teams continued competitive seasons and prepared for postseason play.

Additional highlights include the inaugural International Student Programs Scholarship Ceremony, recognition of student leadership through the Associated Students of Highline College presidential selection process, and ongoing budget deliberations by the Services and Activities Committee. These efforts reflect the division’s continued commitment to reducing barriers, strengthening student pathways, and fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Additional details of these efforts and outcomes are provided in the sections below.

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

• The Advising Center expanded its presence into The Hub, creating a high visibility advising location designed to meet students where they already gather. This expansion allows advisors to proactively support students during their critical first 30 credits, strengthening early momentum and reducing barriers to academic planning.
• Advising teams hosted three Registration Labs, providing hands on assistance to students navigating course selection and registration processes.
• Cross departmental collaboration between Advising, the Registrar, and other Student Services teams continues to improve resolution of administrative holds, transcript issues, and registration barriers that may delay student progress.
• The Workforce Education Services Spring Funding Application cycle ran from February 12 through March 6, helping connect eligible students with financial resources that support persistence and completion.

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

• Student Life hosted the Winter Leadership Retreat at Pacific Tower on February 27. More than 30 students participated in a full day of leadership development activities focused on values, identity, and collective leadership. Trustee Jesse Johnson delivered the opening keynote and facilitated a reflective leadership activity for students. 
• Faculty and staff facilitated leadership workshops throughout the retreat, including sessions led by Amy Rider King and a closing workshop led by Kiana Fuegas. 
• The Associated Students of Highline College (ASHC) presidential and vice-presidential selection process has begun, with finalists being chosen through a representative student body selection process. 
• Student Support Services continues to demonstrate strong impact through TRIO Student Support Services program outcomes. The program achieved all 15 available points in its Annual Performance Report, positioning the program strongly for the upcoming federal grant competition cycle. Key outcomes include:

These results reflect the dedication of TRIO staff and the effectiveness of high impact support services for first generation and underrepresented students.

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

• The Students of Color Conference (SOCC), originally scheduled to be hosted at Columbia Basin College, transitioned to a virtual format due to statewide travel concerns. Highline students will participate in a regional viewing experience hosted with Renton Technical College and Green River College, ensuring students can still engage with the conference content and community. 
• The Transfer Center continues expanding partnerships with four-year universities under the leadership of the new Program Specialist for Transfer Services, strengthening pathways and creating clearer transfer destinations for Highline students.
• Transfer and advising teams are launching a Transfer Workshop Series designed to demystify the transfer process and help students understand steps required to transition to bachelor’s degree programs.
• Tukwila Promise Partnership: Highline College continues working closely with the City of Tukwila and Tukwila School District to support the implementation and growth of the Tukwila Promise program. This partnership continues to strengthen pathways for Tukwila students to access higher education by providing tuition support, coordinated outreach, and direct connections to college advising and enrollment services.
• La Conexión College Access Event: Outreach and Student Services staff hosted La Conexión, welcoming approximately 125 Latinx middle school students from Highline Public Schools to campus. The event focused on helping students see college as an accessible and welcoming space where their identities, stories, and aspirations are valued. Workshops and campus engagement activities were designed to build early awareness of college pathways and reinforce students’ sense of belonging in educational environments.

Core Theme 4: CULTURE & CAPACITY, Become an anti-racist college through intentional development of employees, facilities, and systems that support student success and close equity gaps

• The Financial Aid Advisory Committee presented final recommendations for Satisfactory Academic Progress policy updates for the 2026–2027 academic year to Executive Cabinet on March 3. These updates aim to reduce the number of full-time students failing SAP after their first quarter while improving the appeal process and supporting students who face academic disruptions.
• Advising teams continue investing in cross training across Financial Aid, Registrar, and Transfer services, strengthening staff capacity to serve as holistic student navigators capable of addressing complex student needs at the first point of contact.
• International Student Programs hosted its inaugural ISP Scholarship Ceremony on March 5, recognizing international students for their academic achievements and awarding scholarships of up to $3,000.

Division Honors and Achievements

• The Women’s Basketball team has qualified for the NWAC playoffs and will compete in Pasco on March 6.
• The Men’s Basketball team remains in contention for playoff qualification, with final determination expected following their final regular season game. (update: we missed the playoffs after a hard-fought last season game)
• The Softball team will begin its season March 7 at the NWAC Opening Tournament in Pasco.
• TRIO Student Support Services received maximum performance points in its federal annual reporting cycle, reflecting exceptional program outcomes and strengthening the program’s position for future federal funding.

Report submitted by Interim Vice President of Student Services, Tony Garcia