Area Report for Board of Trustees

Academic Affairs begins the 2026–27 academic and navigation support for students, connecting curriculum with regional partners such as Sound Transit, and investing in equity-focused teaching, technology-supported learning, and faculty leadership and support through the Teaching Innovation Development Lab (TIDL).

In addition, faculty and staff are taking on new leadership and professional development opportunities while continuing to contribute to college-wide initiatives focused on belonging, financial aid, student success, and institutional transformation. All of these efforts demonstrate Academic Affairs’ continued commitment to our students and their success!

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

• The Nursing Program will establish a structured Faculty Tutoring and Nursing Student Navigator program that provides proactive academic, clinical, and program-navigation support to students. Faculty will use an early-identification and referral process to connect students experiencing academic or other barriers with appropriate support. Student participation, feedback, course success, and persistence data will be collected and reviewed to evaluate and continuously improve the program.
• For 2026-2027, federal Perkins dollars have been designated for faculty to provide targeted instructional support for students in the Achieve Comprehensive Transition Program. The goal is for Achieve students to fully participate in classroom activities and successfully complete courses for credits progressing toward their individual program and career goals.

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

• Achieve welcomed 49 students to campus this Fall through partnerships with Kent, Seattle, Highline, and Federal Way school districts as well as the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. 

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

• In August, four Pure & Applied Sciences faculty members Dr. Eric Baer, Cait Cramer, Dr. Bataa Jigjidsuren, and Aaron Hayden attended a 1½ day professional development workshop with sound transit and the Seattle sustainability ambassadors to learn more about sound transit, the LINK light rail, and develop case studies that can be used in geology, engineering, and cybersecurity classes.

Core Theme 4: CULTURE & CAPACITY: Become an anti-racist college through intentional development of employees, facilities, and systems that support student success and close equity gaps

• Six faculty have been named Faculty-in-Residence in the Teaching Innovation Development Lab at Highline. Faculty-in-Residence receive release time to help peers implement equity-focused teaching practices and technology supported learning in classes. 

The 2026-27 Faculty-in-Residence are:

• Dr. Samora Covington, Psychology – New Faculty Experience
• Rhiannon Hillman, English – EdTech, Teaching Practices
• Robin Martin – EdTech, Teaching Practices
• Stephanie Ojeda Ponce, English – AI
• Dr. Laura Soracco, English – AI
• Dr. Angel Steadman, ELCAP – Teaching Practices

In addition, Dr. Laura Soracco will be serving as co-chair of TIDL and leading faculty-focused professional development. Thank you so much!

Division Honors and Achievements

• Congratulations to Beth Carter, Director of Faculty Advising and Sheena Hendrix, Director of the Academic Success Center have been selected as 2026-2027 Middle Leadership Academy Cohort II Fellows! This is part of a year-long, cohort-based learning experience investment in their continued leadership development and the important role they play in advancing student success and institutional transformation. Both Directors have been active participants and leaders in campus wide change initiatives on the Belongingness Task Force. Beth also serves as co-chair for the Financial Aid Advisory Committee. 
• Michelle Weingarden-Bandes (MB), Geology faculty, was featured in one of the top articles in the Seattle Times in July. The article highlights their involvement as a host on PBS’s new EONS series. Episodes of the series are now available to stream online via the PBS website and on your TV via the PBS app. Congratulations MB on being recognized for a job creatively done!

Report submitted by Interim Vice President of academic Affairs, Dr. Rolita Ezeonu