Area Report for Board of Trustees

Core Theme 1: ACCESS, Reduce Barriers and close equity gaps to access for all community members;  Core Theme 2: STUDENT LEARNING, Increase educational success, collaborate to improve & Core Theme 2: STUDENT LEARNING, Increase educational success, collaborate to improve

• Justin Taillon and Dr. Ahmed Fahad led six (6) students on our very first Study Abroad to Indonesia in June 2025. This program, initiated by the IDEAS Grant, focused on sustainable practices in hospitality and tourism. Similar to our Follow the Supply Chain to Vietnam Study Abroad program, this was a “huge” collaborative effort of several individuals, including VP Josh Gerstman, Director Sam Kaplan, and the Global Programs team.
• During the Academic Year 2024-25, the Conference and Event Services (including the Fireside Bistro) served over 32,000 clients of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The Department also played a vital role in supporting student development by employing three (3) Running Start students, eight (8) ISP students, and other domestic students as part of the on-the-job college credit program.
• Public Safety staff underwent re-certification training in CPR/First Aid and AED to ensure competency in responding to medical emergencies. The Department responded to 15 medical emergencies during the Academic Year 2024-25 to render assistance prior to the arrival of EMS.
• The East Parking Lot is undergoing a significant “facelift makeover” with repaving and plant beautification. In addition, we are also upgrading lighting and surveillance security systems to improve safety.

FISCAL & BUDGET

• The months of June and July are typically the busiest of times for our budget and finance teams. This year is no different.  All hands are on deck to close out FY25 and to open FY26.
• Our open and close process this year, however, gets a bit complicated with the financial statement audit happening at the same time. As required by the process, our Finance team provided the attached “Risk Assessment” report for the Board to review.  Stefan Feller, Director of Finance, who conducted the risk assessment survey, provided a summary statement as follows:
  • “I have evaluated the responses, and I have found no significant or material tangible sources of risk and no significant or material threats/hazardous opportunities to Highline College.”
• The FY26 Preliminary Budget is being submitted to the Board for the initial review. The Budget is based on recently (June 26^th) released state allocation numbers.  The College will be fine tuning the Budget over the summer to present the final version to the Board for approval in the September meeting.
• Despite our best intentions, the College made an error in stating that we would honor the $1,200 contract incentive to classified staff. Based on the guidance from the Attorney General’s Office, Highline College does not have the authority to grant such payment without Legislative approval.  Since the Legislature did not approve the submitted contract during their session, all provisions contained in the contract, including the incentive payment, are considered void. The College plans to explore other options with our WPEA members to seek approval in the upcoming supplemental session.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• It is a great pleasure to welcome Brian Lucio as our newest Public Safety Officer. With his hiring, the Public Safety Department for the first time will have three (3) officers for each shift, allowing for sufficient 24/7 coverage at Highline College, including support for Campus View Student Housing.
• Congratulations to Mina Vo for being appointed to the position of Global Program Manager! Mina has served in the same position as an interim since early January 2025.  During her interim role, she had successfully led the Faculty Experiential Learning Program to Vietnam and organized Highline Welcomes the World Week.

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