Area Report for Board of Trustees
The Administrative Services Leadership Team had our annual summer retreat on August 4, 2022, to work on the Institutional Effectiveness reports. In addition, we discussed aligning our annual work plans with the new BOT Area Report format. It is still a work-in-progress in terms of reporting format for our division, as reflected here in this first report. We will work to improve future reporting.
The FY2022-23 General Operating Budget is being submitted for the Board’s approval. Compared to the preliminary budget provided to the Board in July, this final version includes updated FY2021-22 year-end financial information as well as carry-forward balances into FY2022-23.
Core Theme 1: ACCESS
Global Programs
By the time of the Board meeting on September 8th, our Global Programs Leadership Team (Sam Kaplan, Jenn Ritchey, and myself) would be leading a group of 13 students to Vietnam for our “Follow the Supply Chain Study Abroad” program. This marks our first Study Abroad trip since 2019 due to the COVID pandemic disruptions. Each student participant pays only $500 to participate in the entire trip, with the rest of the costs funded by donations from various sources, including the University of Washington. The program provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain international understanding.
Facilities
Facilities continues to develop the Campus Master Plan 2030 to prepare for our two major capital projects: the Welcome Center and the Academic Pathways Building. Within the next couple of years, several renovation projects are being planned, including the third floor of B-23, conversion of the former PFT lab to classrooms, a new Veterans Center, and the Workforce Education Services.
Core Theme 2: STUDENT LEARNING
Global Programs
Prior to the actual trip to Vietnam, students participating in the Follow the Supply-Chain Study Abroad Program were able to tour the Brooks Shoes Headquarters in Fremont and CMI Apple Orchards in Wenatchee. These students learned more about global supply-chain, sustainability, and the impacts Covid-19 has had on the industries. This first part of the trip enables the students to see the supply-chain up close in Washington State and second part of the trip (taking place in September) will focus on seeing the global supply-chain in Vietnam.
Public Safety
In an effort to increase engagement and outreach to ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages), the Public Safety Office is collaborating with the Marketing Department to create a Public Safety webpage in the top ten languages spoken on campus. In addition, Public Safety team plans to attend orientations and make classroom visits to promote available services to ESOL students.
Core Theme 3: COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Facilities
The East Parking Lot expansion, as part of our three-way agreement with Sound Transit and the City of Des Moines, is proceeding as scheduled with completion expected later in September.
Budget
The Office of Budgets and Grants has implemented a new budget tracking process for all grant programs with the goals of increasing efficiency as well as department’s fiscal responsibility.
Public Safety
The Public Safety Office continues to engage in mutually beneficial partnerships with local city governments (Kent & Des Moines) and law enforcement offices to help reduce community crime. We are working to host the next local businesses Midway Merchants meeting for fall quarter. The purpose of the meeting focuses primarily on discussing issues affecting businesses near Kent-Des Moines corridor, including Highline College, with city and state leadership. The quarterly meetings have been regularly attended by both mayors and Chief of Police from the cities of Kent and Des Moines.
Finance
Despite our challenges and struggles, the Finance team has successfully completed FY2021-22 year-end close. We are planning to meet with various departments to discuss the lessons learned to improve the process for next year. The plan is to establish a regular process that can be completed on a monthly basis to ensure a smoother and more efficient year-end close.
Global Programs
In addition to the Study Abroad students to Vietnam, this September 2022 trip also included eight Highline College faculty as part of our very first Faculty Experiential Learning program (for professional development). The faculty will be participating in presentation/lecture exchanges with some of our university partners. As part of the program, the faculty will also be assisting with our recruitment efforts in Vietnam.
Report submitted August 28, 2022, by Vice President Dr. Michael Pham