Area Report for Board of Trustees

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

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

• Dr. Justin Taillon and Dr. Ahmed Fahad led nine (9) students and six (6) faculty on an eight-day study abroad program to Indonesia, from May 29th through June 7, 2026. The focus of the program was on Hospitality and Tourism. As part of the trip, Highline College participants spent several days at Sahid Politeknik to learn about their hospitality programs, including a stay in the Politeknik-operated hotel.
• International Student Programs (ISP) hosted a reception to honor ISP graduates on June 10, 2026. For 2026, we are expecting over 105 ISP students to complete their study at Highline College. 
• In partnership with King County Metro, Public Safety launched a student survey to assess students’ transit habits and compare them with those of the broader population. More than 450 students participated in the survey, providing valuable insights that will help Public Safety and King County Metro better understand and support student transportation needs.

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

Core Theme 4: CULTURE & CAPACITY, Promote a campus culture which fosters equity and inclusivity supporting employee growth and development, and institutional capacity and transformation

• On Friday, May 29, 2026, Public Safety provided verbal de-escalation training for ELCAP faculty and staff. This training uses the concepts of Dr. George Thompson’s verbal judo and Aristotle’s three pillars of persuasion to safely diffuse aggressive or distressed individuals. It teaches respectful communication through empathy, active listening and observing body language. The goal is to provide employees with tools to address conflicts and increase workplace safety.
• In coordination with South King Fire Department and Des Moines Police Department, Public Safety conducted an exercise for an unresponsive individual. The drill was designed to practice campus communications, coordinate response with first responders and on-scene management.   
• On May 20th, the travel coordinator offered training to help faculty and staff prepare for the end of the fiscal year. Seven people participated. 
• Public Safety and Facilities assisted King County Search Dogs in a training exercise on Monday, June 1st, by preparing and providing B-15 (vacated space) for the drill.

FISCAL & BUDGET

• Our Finance and Budget teams are in the midst of wrapping up the FY26 and at the same time preparing for FY27 budget. While state operating budget funding appears to be on the same level as FY26, state capital funding, however, looks increasingly dismal for Highline College (and the system in general). It is likely our Welcome Center for Student Success capital project will be delayed until 2031-33 biennium.
• Executive Cabinet has preliminarily completed the FY27 budget planning process. Due to continued uncertainty regarding the state budget, budget planning will remain an ongoing activity throughout FY27. The Cabinet will regularly evaluate fiscal developments and adjust budget assumptions as necessary. As one example, Guided Pathways funding is anticipated to be reviewed at the state level later in FY27, which could have implications for future budget planning decisions. Infrastructure is another area of significant concern. Due to the lack of state funding, the College will need to evaluate alternatives to maintain a safe and effective learning and working environment.
• Executive Cabinet hosted an-all Campus Budget Forum on June 2nd to discuss our budget planning priorities for FY27. The forum was conducted virtually to allow for participation from all campus stakeholders.

Report submitted by Vice President of Administrative Services, Dr. Michael Pham