Area Report for Board of Trustees
As the 2020-21 academic year drawing to an end, on behalf of Dr. John Mosby, I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to all of Highline College employees for their outstanding efforts in this past year. We have had quite a challenging year under the pandemic. I am however also very optimistic in seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of the pandemic drawing to an end as well. I am looking forward to the transitioning of our returning to campus beginning in late summer.
Our Public Health and Hybrid Operations Leadership Council lead by Danielle Slota, Emily Lardner, Josh Gerstman, Francesca Fender, Mariela Barriga, and Tim Wrye continues to meet regularly in preparation for the return of campus. Safety plans are in the process of being drafted and approved in support of the return of in-person services to students beginning in August 2021. Highline is on track to operate at our planned reduced capacity for fall quarter offering classes, services to students, and business models in a hybrid environment consisting of both on-campus and virtual operations.
On a similar note at the state level, after 16 months since the beginning of the pandemic, WACTC (association of the state college presidents) had formally discontinued the weekly COVID-focused meetings as on May 26th. As of the writing of this report, Governor Inslee had announced a statewide opening of Washington by June 30, 2021. WACTC is currently planning to host a summer retreat of all presidents in person at Spokane Community College during the third week of July.
As part of our strategic planning process for the next accreditation cycle, Highline College is preparing to launch our very first “equity-first strategic plan.” The College has engaged the services of EquityWorks NW and Dr. Eric R. Felix (from San Diego State University) to assist us in the process. We are putting together a core team, consisting of faculty, staff, administrators, and students, to lead us in the efforts. The core team will officially begin their work on June 24, 2021 with an expected 18-month commitment for the project duration. A formal roll out of the equity-first strategic plan will take place during Opening Week in September.
For the second year in a row, Highline College will host the Service Award “luncheon” virtually on June 10, 2021 (right after the Board meeting). It is my hope this will be the last virtual Service Award luncheon on campus. Regardless of the venue, however, we will be honoring recent retirees as well as years of service for several employees. In addition, we will be recognizing Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., President of Humboldt State University, as Distinguished Alumni of the Year. As a bonus for this year’s celebration, we will be crowning the winner of Highline College haiku contest.
On June 17, 2021, we will once again having the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Highline College graduates at commencement. Considering everything that happened in the last 16 months, these student achievements are nothing short of remarkable. While we would not be able to celebrate commencement in person within an indoor setting, there will be a drive through on campus for our graduates to pick up their diploma cover during the day on June 17th. On behalf of Dr. Mosby and the rest of Executive Cabinet, I would like to congratulate all of Highline College class of 2021 graduates. Dr. Mosby will be joining our graduates during the evening virtual commencement ceremony.
Finally, as this would be my first and last acting president report to the Board, I would like to end by expressing my sincere thanks to the Board for your unwavering support of Highline College and of our students. Thank you for all you do on behalf of Highline College to our support student success.
Report submitted May 26, 2021, by Acting President Michael Pham