Area Report for Board of Trustees

During IA Summer planning retreats, we reviewed the core themes, strategic goals and objectives and items measured in the Mission Fulfillment Report (MFR) so that we can report on work that is aligned with these goals and measures, which we’ll report on a quarterly basis. In months in between, we’ll report on the activities that support the outcomes that are measured.  Institutional Advancement is excited to welcome Drew DeSollar as the new motion graphics specialist to the Communications and Marketing Team. Drew joins a team committed to engaging prospective students, welcoming new students and celebrating student achievements through innovative storytelling. IA was present to document the announcement that Kent Des Moines Station and Federal Way Lightrail Extension (FWLE) will open on December 6. IA members were deeply involved in successful federal grants such as TRIO SSS and in hosting federal elected officials such as Congressman Adam Smith for a visit with college leaders. While the Foundation prepares for upcoming Thunderbirds Soar, team members have been working with Foundation Board on a new philanthropic strategic plan, and has been welcoming new major donors through a series of stewardship activities.

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

• IA views the opening of Kent Des Moines (KDM) Station and the operation of Federal Way Lightrail Extension as a key to removing barriers and creating access to higher education in our community. We are excited to have been in attendance at the press conference at KDM on August 28 where it was announced that the station will officially open on Saturday, December 6, 2025. IA members are involved in planning with community partners for the community celebration for the opening and will collaborate with student leadership once students are back on campus to have our students be at the forefront of the first wave of riders.
• Communications and Marketing has initiated phase II work on top-level website, pathways site and identifying up to 10 academic program sites for migration and updates on Omni by Modern Campus platform.
• Foundation has been working with two new major donors whose gifts may provide significant support for both access and learning. We’ve provided initial information to donor #1 related to expanding access and see second bullet under learning for more info about donor #2.

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

• We’re working with a major donor on increasing their support of ELCAP Scholarships to leverage some existing funding that has historically been called ‘JumpStart’ which provides funding for students completing high levels of ELCAP to begin college credit classes and with their permission, to use their story and experience to inspire more families and organizations to support ELCAP students. What began as a $1,000 gift during the pandemic has led to more than $75,000 in giving over the last 4 years.
• Highline College Foundation, along with 18 peers from across the state, received an anonymous grant in support of Entrepreneurship Education. Foundation will work with business faculty on the best way to fulfill the vision of this gift and support students in their entrepreneurial quests.

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

• IA hosted the Success Foundation/Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce Workforce Discovery Lab, which included 30 high school students from Highline and Tukwila Public Schools and 6 chaperones for a day of exploring Engineering Technology. Special thanks to Stephaney Puchalski, Instructional and Classroom Technician, for leading the students through a hands-on discovery of circuits and 3D printing.
• IA staff attended a variety of community events, including ribbon cutting for Para Los Ninos Community Center in Burien (significant because PLN great effort to purchase their building), Port of Seattle tours of Airport Tarmac and Duwamish Waterway, Poverty Bay Rotary Blues and Brews at Beachfront Park, Des Moines Area Business Roundtable, GESA Credit Union Affinity Card Check Presentation at Museum of Flight, Seattle Southside Chamber Government Affairs Committee and a variety of Sound Transit related activities including Executive Briefing with Federal Way Community Leaders, Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce meeting ST CEO, and ST Press Conference at Kent Des Moines Station.

Division Honors and Achievements

• Institutional Advancement is excited to welcome Drew DeSollar as the new motion graphics specialist to the Communications and Marketing Team. Drew joins a team committed to engaging prospective students, welcoming new students and celebrating student achievements through innovative storytelling.

Report submitted by Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Joshua Gerstman