Area Report for Board of Trustees

Over the past month IA has provided support for Highline’s Opening Week and the start of Fall Quarter. Publications that began as requests to the design team came to life in the Printshop. Creative content appeared throughout social media featuring current students and welcoming new students, serving as a friendly voice and sharing information about programs and resources. Government Relations is working with ASHC in planning for fall legislative breakfast and a possible trip to Washington DC as well as representing the college on planning for the Kent Des Moines Station Opening (Dec 6) and working with Grants team on follow up with federal programs. Foundation staff is at work planning for Thunderbirds Soar on 11/22, and out in the community promoting the event and engaging community members.

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. Government Relations team is participating on planning committee for Dec. 6 opening. Comm/Marketing is providing support for upcoming resource fair on 10/9.
• Communications and Marketing continues work on phase II work on top-level website, pathways site and 3 new academic sites have gone live in the last week.
• Foundation scholarship and emergency funding has awarded more than $50,000 in emergency tuition support through the second week of the quarter.

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

• Grants team provided significant support for two success TRIO grants, TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) and TRIO Talent Search.

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

• IA staff attended a variety of community events, including Seattle Southside Airport Luncheon, What’s Up Des Moines- area networking, Greater Federal Way Candidates Forum, Seattle Metro Chamber Annual Meeting.

Division Honors and Achievements

• Institutional Advancement beamed with pride on opening day as team members were recognized for years of services, including:
  • Tatyana Andreychenko, Operations Manager with Foundation, 20 Years
  • Ashley Kerr, Executive Assistant to Vice President, 10 Years
  • Kelly Wong, Senior Graphic Designer, 10 Years

Report submitted by Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Joshua Gerstman