Board of Trustees Meeting
Location
Hybrid Meeting Format: offering both in-person and virtual meeting access
Minutes
Attendees
Board of Trustees: Chair Johnson, Trustee Exstrom, Trustee Bowman
Executive Cabinet: Acting President Penn, Danielle Slota, Josh Gerstman, Maribel Jimenez, Melanie Lawson, Michael Pham, Rolita Ezeonu, Tim Wrye
Assistant Attorney General: Bruce Marvin
Absent: Vice Chair Swenson and President John R. Mosby
Study Session call to order: 9:04 a.m.
Discussion Topics
- 2025-26 Budget Planning Discussion – Dr. Michael Pham – 35 minutes
Dr. Pham shared a change since the all-campus budget forum. Unfortunately we have been notified that Highline College does not have the authority to pay-out the planned $1,200 classified staff incentive without OFM approval regardless of our intention to use local funds. This is new information as of late last week. Drs. Mosby and Dr. Pham are scheduled to meet with the WPEA shop stewards on June 26.
Chair Johnson asked that the Board be regularly updated on any changes to grant funding.
Trustee Bowman commented on facility planning asking for an update on major project state allocations. Dr. Pham shared that our hopes of the Welcome Center being funded in 2026 were not filled. Earliest funding is 2029. Our other project has moved off the list. We don’t anticipate any earlier funding. Strategic planning on alternate funding is now underway.
Chair Johnson asked for continued updates on retention efforts that come out of the summer retreat planning.
Trustee Bowman asked about retention of running start students and intentional efforts to transition them into the BAS programs. Dr. Penn commented on intentional efforts to recruit for the 2+2 model. Noted that this is a fairly new effort with a relatively new team. We are also intentional looking to ensure there is not mission creep with our four year college agreements. There are opportunities for growth. Dr. Ezeonu spoke to faculty advisor recruitment within the BAS programs. Concerted efforts to increase enrollments.
Trustee Johnson asked about outreach to medical facilities to strengthen recruitment relationships. Dr. Ezeonu will follow up.
Trustee Exstrom voiced concern about facility planning and the current projections for capital and infrastructure, concerned that current plan would require that three years from now we would need to find approximately $4M dollars to fund the projects. Dr. Pham spoke to other more immediate needs preventing us from increasing the current allocation. Trustee Bowman asked if it would be safer to set $3M this year instead of $2M. Trustee Exstrom noted that we need to ensure we aren’t creating safety concerns by pushing off facility upgrades.
- 2025-26 Board Officer & Committee Assignments, recommended action during General Session
- Review of Resolution 182-2025 pertaining to Authorization to Expend Funds, recommended action during General Session
- Tenure recommendation in Executive Session* – POSTPONED FOR JULY 10, 2025
Meeting adjourned at 10:03 a.m.
Board of Trustees Meeting
Location
Hybrid Meeting Format: offering both in-person and virtual meeting access
General Session called to order at 10:30 a.m.
Attendees
Board of Trustees: Chair Johnson, Chair Exstrom, Trustee Bowman
Executive Cabinet: Acting President Penn, Danielle Slota, Josh Gerstman, Maribel Jimenez, Melanie Lawson, Michael Pham, Rolita Ezeonu, Tim Wrye
Assistant Attorney General: Bruce Marvin
Absent: Vice Chair Swenson and President John R. Mosby
Opportunity for public comment
Gum-Lai Ross, spoke to the service behind positions and the obligation to serve students. Stand on Highline’s legacy of commitment
Juli Hammond, spoke to encourage college to continue finding a way to fund the $1,200 annual contract signing bonus. Urged the college to continue to push back against OFM’s statements that the college does not have the authority to fund.
Sara Delpaplaine, read a statement issued to college from Executive Cabinet with our commitment to the $1,200 annual contract signing bonus. Spoke to OFM’s following claim that this is beyond local college authority. Asked for proof of evidence from OFM. Spoke to the challenges the removal of this promised money will cause
Shay Kelley conceded time to Lauri Miles
Tara Woods spoke to morale caused by contracts not being funded by OFM. Highline’s commitment to honor everything they could in the contract helped morale on campus. Felt and still feel the college cares about its classified staff. Thanked the college for their commitment and asked the college to continue that support in pushing back against OFM. Asked for continued support.
Lauri Miles spoke to her experience as a bargaining member for WPEA during her time at Highline. Spoke to challenges caused by OFM. Spoke to harm caused by OFM during the negotiation process and the lack of funding provided. Asked the college to scrutinize the behavior of OFM. Spoke to the pressure OFM is placing on Grays Harbor and Highline College to not pay contract stipends. Spoke to college values and mission. Asked for continued support.
Richard Cannefax, spoke to previous support and public commitment from the board and executive cabinet. OFM is now telling the college it is not in their purview to pay from local funds. Spoke to article 50 of the contract. Spoke to OFM executing a choice and not policy. Asked that the board and college work with OFM to submit the documentation that they are requiring and attempt to continue to hold true to the commitment.
Gerald Jackson, spoke to previous year signing bonuses. Asking for equitable funding of the contract. Expressed that OFM blocking the signing bonus feels like retaliation. Asking that the board stand with classified staff.
Approve minutes
Approve minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of May 28, 2025.
Trustee Bowman motioned to approve, Trustee Exstrom seconded, motion passed
Standing Reports
- Highline College Education Association: No HCEA report
- Washington Public Employees Association: George Babcock
Provided a brief history of WPEA negotiations beginning in 2014 with the 2015-17 contract. Incentive Bonus were issued. Since then four contracts have been negotiated including signing bonuses. On April 30, 2025 spoke to board of trustees expressing frustration with OFM. In same meeting Dr. Pham spoke to the college’s intent to continue to fund the contract incentive. Later that week an email was sent to the college, and the college publicly made that same commitment during the annual Equity Development Institute. WPEA sees the support Executive Cabinet is trying to provide. Today OFM is pressuring Highline to rescind its commitment. They believe that Grays Harbor is receiving the same pressure and has pulled their contract commitment. WPEA believe that OFM is mistaken in their statements that the college does not have the authority to fund these incentives from local funds. Urges the college to uphold it’s commitment to classified staff and resist OFM. Asked that we work together to ensure fairness, integrity, and respect.
- Faculty Senate: No Senate report
- Highline College Foundation: Sharon Vail
Scholarships and emergency funding are now more important than ever. Reviews of over 300 applications are in with notifications being sent to recipients this week. Additional scholarships continue to be added for more student opportunities.
Southside Chamber event happening on campus this week. Continued focus on building strong and support relationships with local businesses.
More to come on Thunderbird Soars scheduled for Nov 22, 2025
Recommendations for Action
- Action item a. 2025-26 Board officers and committee assignments
- Trustee Bowman moved THAT the following Highline College Board of Trustee committee member assignments for the 2025-26 academic year be approved effective July 1, 2025:
CHAIRPERSON: Sharmila Swenson
VICE CHAIRPERSON: Joseph Bowman
ACT REPRESENTATIVE: Joseph Bowman
ACT LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE: Sharmila Swenson
HIGHLINE COLLEGE FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVE: Jesse Johnson
HIGHLINE COLLEGE FINANCE COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE(S):
- Travis Exstrom
- Jesse Johnson
Trustee Exstrom seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
- Action item b. Resolution 182-2025 pertaining to authorization to expend funds
Trustee Exstrom moved WHEREAS, the new fiscal year will begin July 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, a final determination of the budget may not be made prior to the date of October 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, students have enrolled for summer session that will begin on June 23, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the disruption of planned and scheduled activities could seriously hamper the College’s operations for the 2025-26 College year.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees authorizes the President of Highline College and designees to expend funds beginning July 1, 2025, to meet College needs at the same rate as in the 2024-25 (latest) approved budget, or as additionally authorized by legislative action to take effect July 1, 2025. This authorization expires October 1, 2025, or upon the date the Board passes the motion to adopt the final budget for FY2025-2026 if the Board’s action on the budget precedes October 1, 2025.
Trustee Bowman seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
- Action item c. Tenure Recommendations – POSTPONED TO JULY 10, 2025
Board Report
- National Science Foundation (NSF), Understanding and Supporting the Whole Student
Area reports
- Academic Affairs: Interim VP Dr. Rolita Ezeonu
Spoke to the privilege it has been to return to Highline College. Spoke to the resilience and unwavering commitment of our faculty to our students. Highlighted some accomplishments and accolades that she collected from her division but given the length chose to circulate internally to the faculty team.
Circled back to a question submitted by the trustees in study session regarding the medical systems we currently have relationships with.
- Administrative Services: VP Dr. Michael Pham
Written report stands
- Equity, Diversity and Transformation: VP Dra. Maribel Jimenez
Coming up on the two year anniversary of the launch of Highline Colleges Division of Equity, Transformation and Diversity. Expressed gratitude for Highline College classified staff.
- Human Resources: VP Melanie Lawson
Addressed the WPEA. She hears them and stands with them.
- Institutional Advancement: VP Josh Gerstman
Congratulated the Highline College Commencement Team and our student graduates. Spoke to Southside Chamber event scheduled this Friday. Collecting feedback via the community perception survey. Highline has been invited to tour SeaTac Airport to learn about recent expansions.
- Student Services: VP Dr. Jamilyn Penn
Dr. Penn expressed that she hears and sees our WPEA members.
Student Services is currently focused heavily on enrollment! Thursday June 12th was the 2025 Highline College Commencement. Recognized Associate Dean Wroblewski, Kylie Chick, Geo Panelo and Edwina Fui. Approximately 625 graduates crossed the stage. 1,350 students applied for graduation. 1,528 credentials awarded. Graduation ages ranged from seventeen (17) to seventy-five (75). Graduated 70% students of color and 65% female students.
Trustees Johnson and Exstrom recognized our Highline College student speaker.
President’s Remarks
Unscheduled Business
General Session was adjourned: 11:31 a.m.
Minutes Signed and Approved
The meeting minutes from June 18, 2025, were approved and signed into record by Chair Swenson and President John R. Mosby on July 24, 2025.
Mission Statement: As a South King County college striving for social justice, Highline College partners with global students as they envision, plan and achieve their educational and professional goals.