Board of Trustees Meeting

Location

Hybrid Meeting Format: offering both in-person and virtual meeting access

Minutes

Attendees

Board of Trustees: Chair Swenson, Vice Chair Bowman, Trustee Exstrom, Trustee Johnson

Executive Cabinet: Acting President Penn, Danielle Slota, Rolita Ezeonu, Josh Gerstman, Maribel Jimenez, Melanie Lawson, Michael Pham, Tim Wrye

Assistant Attorney General: Justin Kjolseth 

Study Session call to order: 9:07 a.m.

Discussion Topics

• Policy Development Council discussion, Dr. Michael Pham (20 minutes)
• Request from Trustee Swenson for further conversation in February, 2026 after Dr. Pham and AAG Kjolseth can connect on the details of Dr. Pham’s proposal
• Review of 2026 board meeting schedule for proposed action in general session (5 minutes)
• Review of proposed student fees and waiver for proposed action in general session (5 minutes)

Executive Session called to order at 9:38 until 10:30 a.m., extended to 10:55

Meeting adjourned at 10:56 a.m.

Board of Trustees Meeting

Location

Hybrid Meeting Format: offering both in-person and virtual meeting access

General Session Minutes

Roll Call

Board of Trustees: Chair Swenson, Vice Chair Bowman, Trustee Exstrom, Trustee Johnson

Executive Cabinet: Acting President Penn, Danielle Slota, Rolita Ezeonu, Josh Gerstman, Maribel Jimenez, Melanie Lawson, Michael Pham, Tim Wrye

Assistant Attorney General: Justin Kjolseth

General Session called to order: 11:02 a.m.

Approve minutes

Approve minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of November 13, 2025.

Trustee Bowman motioned to approve, trustee Exstrom seconded. Motion carried

Opportunity for Public Comment

Alum Mahad Dahir spoke about the Somali community and the racist comments and actions taken in Minnesota and by the federal administration. He spoke to the Somali community at Highline College and our greater community. Stated the importance of standing with our Somali community. Concluded with a poem about belonging.

Action Items

Action item a. Approval of the 2026 Highline College Board of Trustee Meeting Calendar

Trustee Exstrom MOVED that following review with Highline College’s Executive Cabinet and with the support of Acting President Dr. Jamilyn Penn, I move to approve the following proposed meeting dates for the Highline College Board of Trustees for calendar year 2026

• January 22, 2026
• February 19, 2026
• March 19, 2026 
• April 16, 2026
• May 21, 2026
• June 11, 2026
• July 16, 2026
• August – NO REGULAR MEETING
• September 17, 2026
• October 15, 2026 
• November 19, 2026
• December 17, 2026

Trustee Bowman seconded. Motion carried

Action item b. Tenure approval

Trustee Exstrom MOVED that having given due consideration to the recommendations of the Tenure Review Committee, the Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Rolita Ezeonu, and the recommendation of Acting President, Dr. Jamilyn Penn, 

THAT Tenure be granted to the following third-year probationers:

• Mary Weir 

Trustee Johnson seconded. Motion carried.

Action item c. Student fee and waiver

Trustee Exstrom MOVED that WHEREAS, the institution seeks to maintain transparency and fiscal responsibility in implementing student-related charges; and

WHEREAS, the proposed fees and waiver have been reviewed and recommended by Dr. Michael Pham, Vice President of Administrative Services and Dr. Jamilyn Penn, Acting President,

I MOVE to approve the proposed first year student nursing lab fee of $80 per quarter and the proposed second year student nursing lab fee of $40 per quarter to be effective Spring Quarter 2026, and the proposed International Students – University Partner Referral One-time tuition waiver of $500 to be retroactive beginning fall quarter 2025.

Trustee Johnson seconded. Motion carried.

Action item d. Appointment of Interim President

Trustee Exstrom MOVED that the Board appoints Dr. Jamilyn Penn as Interim President of Highline College until such time as a permanent candidate has been appointed to the position of President of Highline College at an annual salary of $300,300, consistent with the current president salary.

Trustee Bowman seconded. Motion carried.

Standing Reports

Highline College Education Association: Dr. James Peyton

Expressed gratitude to the Board of Trustees for their movement forward with the appointment of an Interim President. Reported on faculty work at this time in the quarter, focused on finals for fall term while preparing for winter quarter while also planning schedules for spring. Tenure Review Committee is actively working on the review of folders. HCEA is encouraged by enrollment growth. Acknowledged ongoing work to improve the service received by Financial Aid. Advocated for the work done by unions during his nine year tenure as HCEA President. The voice and respect provided by local bargaining creates opportunity for faculty and administration here at Highline College. 

Washington Public Employees Association: 

None entered

Faculty Senate: Dr. Sangeeta Sangha

The Faculty Senate provided updates on recent academic program proposals and shared significant concerns regarding ongoing financial aid challenges affecting students, faculty advising, and enrollment. The Senate advised against adopting the proposed Associate in Biology DTA/MRP replacement and reviewed a new Computer Science degree proposal intended to correct prior procedural issues. The majority of the report focused on widespread financial aid delays, communication gaps, and inconsistent student support, with survey data from multiple departments showing high rates of unresolved issues, out‑of‑pocket payments, and negative impacts on students’ mental health and academic stability. Faculty also expressed concern about potential enrollment losses and raised objections to a proposed policy requiring costly evaluations of foreign high school diplomas, noting misalignment with institutional mission and equity goals.

Associated Students of Highline College: Jasmine Nyabigo

Legislative Breakfast brought six legislators (pull names from notes). Issues brought up were transportation, support for refugees related to past education and work experience with advocacy for identifying a program that would allow them to more quickly integrate into working jobs when moving to the United States. Third topic raised was public safety and advocacy for safety training for students on campus, increased lighting, and more visible presence of public safety on campus specifically after dark. Advocated for an S&A committee orientation to occur during recruitment of committee members so students can better understand what they are signing up for.

Trustee Swenson asked for an update in the new year on safety concerns being raised by students. Trustee Johnson recognized Jasmine for representing Highline at last week’s light rail reception.Trusee Bowman shared that Councilmember Pete Von Reichbauer pulled him aside at the grocery store to speak Jasmine’s accolades.

Highline College Foundation: Sharon Vail

Spoke to the light rail extension and legislative reception. Spoke to the recent Thunderbird Soar event with more than 250 attendees. Gifts from long time donors continue to come in after learning about the increasing needs for students facing hunger at the foundation event. Foundation has served over 1,000 individuals with the weekly community meals and is supporting expanded support of the Highline College Food Pantry. Appreciates the boards continued support of the foundation and the community.

Area reports

Academic Affairs: Interim VP Dr. Rolita Ezeonu

Reflected on her nine months as Interim VPAA, expressed appreciation for the consistent advocacy on campus for communication and ways that EC can be further involved on campus. Spoke to recent listening sessions and how she is looking forward to cabinet’s work together moving forward with the feedback received. Expressed gratitude to outgoing HCEA President, Dr James Peyton, for his time served and for his leadership.

Administrative Services: VP Dr. Michael Pham

Spoke to concerns about lighting on campus that were brought forth by students at the recent Legislative Breakfast. The lighting replacement project will be completed by the end of break between fall and winter terms. Looks forward to further collaboration and hearing student safety concerns in winter term. Acknowledged outgoing HCeA President Dr. James Peyton for his partnership with administration during his term. Expressed gratitude to Dr. Penn for her willingness to lead the college in her newly appointed Interim President position. 

Equity, Diversity and Transformation: VP Dra. Maribel Jimenez

Highlighted two items from her written report. Hard work continues with the recruitment of students from Federal Way Public Schools which has been a partnership through Horizon and Limitless grants. Spoke to the November family meals that were provided as a collaboration between employee Mariela Barriga and the Highline College Foundation. Spoke to the culturally responsive food boxes provided and celebrated how quickly these two programs were put into place.

Human Resources: VP Melanie Lawson

Expressed gratitude to Dr. James Peyton for his collaboration with Human Resources, celebrated his communication skills. Welcomed incoming HCEA President Doug Avilla Castro. Spoke to the work the Human Resources is doing for smooth transitions to newly placed federal and state regulations that annually take place in January. Made mention of the upcoming annual review process for staff and the importance being placed right now on talking less and listening more.

Information Technology Services: CIO Tim Wrye

Elaborated on the Provisional AI Policy portion of his written report. Messaging has been sent to campus on the forward movement and formation of subgroups to continue work on the permanent policy language. Expressed gratitude to ASHC President Jasmine Nyabigo. Thanked the ITS team here at Highline College for their quick response to a phishing attempt here on campus yesterday and their quick and appropriate response in continuing to protect the institution. 

Institutional Advancement: Shakira Ericksen for VP Josh Gerstman

Spoke to the legislative breakfast which was one of the campus’ strongest yet. Heard directly from students about what matters most: affordability, basic needs, mental health, and continued investment in community and technical colleges. Breakfast reinforced that HC is a key voice in South King County on equity, access, and opportunity. Spoke to the Sound Transit reception where we pushed hard for subsidized light rail access and spoke directly with Executive Constantine on how this might happen. Spoke to ASHC President Jasmine Nyabigo and her powerful message about what transit equity means for first generation and low-income students.

Student Services: VP Dr. Jamilyn Penn

Shared that she has felt supported in her dual roles of Acting President and VP Student Services. Highlighted her written report and the conversations being had around financial aid on campus. Recognized Director of Financial Aid Corinne Soltis and Associate Dean Loyal Allen Jr. The first Financial Aid Advisory meeting took place in November, momentum exists and we are moving forward with improved communication for students as well as with employees. Barrier reduction across campus is necessary and she is proud of the work being done.

Interim President’s Remarks

Expressed gratitude to the leadership shown by ASHC as well as partnership with the Highline College Foundation to bring forward the recent sound transit reception as well as the student legislative breakfast. Congratulated Dr. James Peyton for his service as HCEA President and welcomed Doug Avella Castro.

Spoke to the service provided by Dr. John Mosby, shared that she was drawn to Highline College by the way John represented the college in the world outside of campus. Thanked Dr. Mosby for the positive impact he had here at Highline College.

Dr. Penn is honored for the appointment of Interim President. Executive Cabinet is ready to do hard work. The listening sessions were powerful, EC is focused on deep diving into the information and stories shared and will be partnering with the campus community in early 2026 to move us further forward together. 

Thanked the Board for their confidence and support. She looks forward to the opportunities she will have in this appointment to engage more with the community both inside and outside the campus. 

Unscheduled Business

None

General Session was adjourned: 11:59 a.m.

Minutes Signed and Approved

The meeting minutes from Dec. 11, 2025, were approved and signed into record by Chair Swenson and Interim President Jamilyn Penn on Jan. 22, 2026

Mission Statement: As a South King County college striving for social justice, Highline College partners with global students as they envision, plan and achieve their educational and professional goals.