Area Report for Board of Trustees

Dear Board of Trustees,

As fall quarter concludes on December 12, Student Services staff continue to support students through final week and prepare them for winter quarter. The Financial Aid Advisory Committee held its first meeting and began developing recommendations on policies—including Satisfactory Academic Progress—to be submitted by January 31. Financial Aid has also shared immediate steps to improve student access and support. International Student Programs hosted a successful University Transfer Fair with more than 70 institutions, engaged in local outreach, and reports continued enrollment growth, with fall FTE increasing from 259 to 318 and winter applications and FTE trending ahead of last year.

The Center for Cultural & Inclusive Excellence completed its fall Homecoming Series with strong engagement and high participant ratings. Preparations are underway for the 23rd Annual Legislative Breakfast on December 3. Additionally, Dr. Penn hosted a leadership retreat for directors and deans focused on aligning job responsibilities, preparing budget proposals, strengthening emergency readiness, and updating the division work plan to support strategic and presidential priorities. Thank you for your continued support.

Kind regards,

Dr. Jamilyn Penn

Vice President of Student Services

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

• The Financial Aid Advisory Committee had its inaugural meeting on Monday, November 24, 2025 (Financial Advisory Committee Agenda). Committee members, many of whom have never worked together, made cultural introductions so that they could begin to get to know each other better. Given the weight/gravity surrounding financial aid, co-chairs partnered with committee members to establish Community Agreement, to establish how members were expected to communicate with one another. The group discussed goals and outcomes and established that the committee will be charged with reviewing and learning information so that it can provide recommendations to Dr. Penn and Executive Cabinet regarding the following Financial Aid policies, procedures and operations by January 31, 2026. The primary topic of discussion for the committee currently is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy and how it aligns with students’ ability to access financial aid.
• Director of Financial Aid, Corinne Soltis, prepared and shared the following updates to the college community: Financial Aid Immediate Seps to Improve Student Access and Support. The information has been well received by students, staff, and faculty throughout the college community. There is still on-going efforts needed to rebuild trust between the Financial Aid Department and the college community.
• International Student Programs (ISP) hosted a University Transfer Fair on November 5, 2025. Seventy plus (70+) universities and colleges were present in Building 8 from 10:00AM to 12:00PM to meet with students. Invitations went out to Highline College’s Running Start, TRIO, Career Services, Domestic Advising, and BAS programs. ISP is also updating prior Conditional Letters of Admission (CLA) for universities and colleges for international students. Samples of the CLA were also shared with other universities and colleges.
• ISP staff participated in the Kennedy Catholic High School transfer fair from on November 5, 2025. Staff met parents and future students, including both international and domestic students.

• • The application and enrollment report for ISP includes the following:

• ISP fall 2025 final numbers: 318 FTE (vs. 259 in 2024); Winter 2026 (as of 11/24/2202 FTE (vs. 158 on 11/24/2024)

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

• The Center for Cultural and Inclusive Excellence (CCIE) Fall Series Homecoming: Rooted in Justice, Unified with Pride was a commitment to celebrating the many communities that make up Highline. We had three programs that focused on neurodivergent belonging, informed politics and honoring the theme of homecoming to uplift alumni stories and community resources.
  • Neurodiverse Belonging Workshops: 62 Participants
  • Informed & Empowered: A Discussion about Politics: 35 Participants
  • Homecoming: Connect & Thrive (Alumni Panel & Community Fair): 42 Participants
    • Featured Alumni
      • Gerie Ventura, Associate Dean of Library and Learning Resources
      • Representative Mia Gregerson, 33rd Legislative District
      • Rahma Rashid, Founder of Muslimahs Against Abuse Center
      • Nancy Salguero McKay, Executive Director – Highline Heritage Museum
    • Total Attendees: 139 Participants | Average Rating of Learning Outcomes Being Met: 4.5/5 Stars
    • Committee Reps from: CCIE, CLS, Cultural Learning Communities & Accessibility Resources
  • Highline College’s 23rd Annual Legislative Breakfast will take place Wednesday December 3rd from 7:30 AM (doors open at 7:00 AM) to 9:00 AM in Building 8, Floor 1, Mt Constance & Olympus
    • Multiple Legislators have confirmed their attendance
    • Student Speakers have been selected and are going through a screening process with ASHC & The Public Speaking Center

Core Theme 4: CULTURE & CAPACITY, Create capacity for meaningful strategic planning and institutional transformation through intentional development of employees, facilities, and systems that support student success and close equity gaps

Dr. Penn hosted a leadership retreat for large program directors, associate deans, and deans. The agenda is provided here for review: SSAC Retreat Agenda.docx – Google Docs. Leaders will have dedicated time to focus on staff job descriptions to ensure alignment with actual work activities; discuss current budget concerns and prepared drafts for 2026-2027 budget proposals; engage in preparing emergency kits for departments throughout the division; and review and update the division workplan, ensuring alignment with the college overall strategic goals and the president’s core priorities for the year. The team will also participate in an off-campus activity on day two of the retreat.

Report submitted by Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Jamilyn Penn