Area Report for Board of Trustees
The Equity, Diversity, and Transformation (EDT) Division is charged with embedding equity in everything we do at Highline College. Below are updates of the ongoing work.
Core Theme 1: ACCESS, Reduce Barriers and close equity gaps to access for all community members
Dr. Jimenez, along with Dr. Penn and VP Gertsman collaborated with leaders from the Highline Public Schools, Federal Way Public Schools, Tukwila Public Schools and the Puget Sound ESD to submit a grant proposal for the Horizons grant from the Gates Foundation. Our proposal/partnership has been selected as a finalist. A site visit was required for the finalist and we hosted the Gates Foundation Team on campus on Monday October 30, 2023. Our UMOJA and Highline Promise cohort learning communities were highlighted. There are four other finalists and we were the first site visit. We will know by the middle of December 2023 if we were one of the three recipients of the grant.
Dr. Jimenez has hired a Equity, Diversity, and Transformation student ambassador. Lizeth Favela Lopez graduated from Highline College in June 2023 with a transfer degree and has begun her first quarter in the BAS Teaching program here at Highline. Lizeth brings a student perspective to the office and will be leading other students with future engagement efforts. Lizeth will attend the upcoming ESCALA Moving Toward Serving Retreat in Pasco, WA along with 14 other cross-divisional staff from Highline to foster institutional capacity for serving Latinx students.
Core Theme 2: STUDENT LEARNING, Increase educational success, collaborate to improve
Krystal Welch, director of cohort learning communities at Highline, is leading an effort to build “Cultivando” or cultivating, a cohort learning communities specifically focused on Latinx students. So far this includes connecting with first year students who self-identified as Latinx and indicated interest in being part of a Latinx learning community. Krystal Welch and her team are working closely with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Transformation and Dean Liz Word from Academic Affairs to make this happen.
Dr. Jimenez provided leadership training for student leaders in collaboration with the Center of Culture and Inclusive Excellence. Students had an opportunity to work through case scenarios and share how they might handle instances of injustice or when students are needing resources.
The Office of EDT partnered with Dr. Tanya Powers along with other committee members to plan, coordinate, and promote Indigenous People’s Day. The day included presentations from three tribal leaders and many Highline students were present.
Core Theme 3: COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, Create a more inclusive working environment and a more valued, visible relationship with communities we serve
Dr. Jimenez, along with Dr. Tanya Powers (Associate Dean of BAS programs) and Dr. Diego Luna (Ethnic Studies Faculty) collaborated with members of the Muckleshoot tribe to update the Highline College land and labor acknowledgement.
Dr. Jimenez and Dr. Mosby connected with Zenovia Harris, CEO of the Kent Chamber of Commerce to discuss ways to collaborate and enhance our partnership. Zenovia Harris inquired about our vision and work for the Office of EDT. We are excited about the possibilities.
The UMOJA Community national team visited Highline College to introduce their new executive director Dr. Eric Mayes. Highline College was the first college to become a UMOJA college in the state of Washington. Currently, Bellevue College, South Seattle, Green River, and Tacoma are collaborating with Krystal Welch to begin their programs. Highline College continues to be a trusted UMOJA leader.
Core Theme 4: CULTURE & CAPACITY: Promote a campus culture which fosters equity and inclusivity supporting employee growth and development, and institutional capacity for transformation.
Dr. Jimenez, Dr. Penn and Dr. Mosby partnered to provide training to the Student Success Council centered on community building and understanding our value to the institution. Folks engaged in multiple activities that allowed for getting to know each other as whole people and not just as positions or titles.
Dr. Jimenez partnered with Mariela Barriga, director of student success, to provide training to all staff on Professional Development Day. The day included community building, identity work, and understanding how we show up matters. Staff were able to get to know others they hadn’t interacted with before.
Division Honors and Achievements
Dr. Jimenez was invited to speak to faculty, staff, and students at Green River College about serving Latinx students. She shared her research findings and shared best practices for intentionally serving Latinx students. While at GRC, Dr. Jimenez met with Dr. Leander Yazzie, Tribal Relations Manager and GRC Indigenous Student Center Director.
Dr. Jimenez was invited to St. Mary’s College of California to deliver a keynote address to faculty, staff, and students centered on transformation through strategic planning.
Highline College earned first place at the Faculty and Staff of Color Conference for having the most attendees. Highline continues to be undefeated at FSOCC. Next year’s conference will be in Spokane, WA on Nov. 6-9, 2024. We hope our BOT can join us next year.
Report submitted by Vice President of Equity, Diversity, and Transformation, Dra. Maribel Jimenez