Area Report for Board of Trustees
Core Theme 1: ACCESS, Reduce Barriers and close equity gaps to access for all community members
Financial Aid has hired 3 financial aid advisors: Daniel Cosgrove; Karen Davis and Tyler Ochsner. A fourth candidate was offered a position and the director of financial aid is awaiting the candidate’s acceptance.
In an effort to support students through the basic elements of our Highline College Financial Aid process, Corinne Soltis, our Financial Aid Director will train 40 – 50 to support students navigating their “to do list”, which are needed to complete the financial aid file. The training will take place on December 12, 2022.
In the ISP Department, application of innovative software such as ISC Research and digital marketing platforms namely ApplyBoard, ApplyWave, WeChat and Study USA are effective platforms recently adapted to streamline global marketing and student recruitment. Improvement in ISP’s internal outreach and recruitment processes and business operations can be accredited to CTC link and Canvas as well. The combination of software, digital platforms and innovative process are crucial in the future growth and advancement of ISP department. Further, ISP have taken the initiative to apply a holistic approach to Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) that concentrates on the student’s educational journey with an emphasis on retention and completion. This is achieved by developing and implementing a SEM initiative in our department that engages all students, staff members, faculty and executive team. International students work with designated advisors who support and provide guidance throughout their entire stay at Highline College and even after completion of their program. Through coordination with all stakeholders, students are able to access a wide range of resources on and off campus.
Running Start is re-enrolling students for winter quarter. Running Start also welcomed a new advisor, Alyssa Kaufman.
Core Theme 2: STUDENT LEARNING, Increase educational success, collaborate to improve
The student Club Consultants held the Fall Clubs Fair on October 20, which featured 24 resource tables including 13 student-led clubs and approximately 300 attendees over the course of two hours. The Associated Students of Highline College have recognized 20 clubs so far this year.
The Counseling Center hosted a mental health screening day on 11/17/2022. This event was open to all Highline College students. It can be difficult for students to recognize and name some of their mental health needs. The screening increased student access to counseling services while also providing immediate mental health interventions.
ISP hosted an international transfer fair on October 31st. Staff will host another fair on February 1, 2023. The fairs are open to international students and helps them to learn about the admission and transfer process at Highline College. The ISP Department is also working on Conditional Letters of Acceptance (CLS) with the college attending fairs that will make the transfer process more streamlined for student populations.
The ISP Office conducted wellness calls in November to check on the ISP students’ progress for fall quarter and to remind the students of college resources and quarter timelines. The Advising group will be conducting a number of workshops that will include a focus on Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical training for students interested in pursuing work experience during or after one-year certificate, two-year degree, or BAS education. ISP will also host a meet and greet sessions to be held online through Zoom for incoming winter ISP students to ask and receive general questions about Highline and ISP.
Core Theme 3: COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, Create a more inclusive working environment and a more valued, visible relationship with communities we serve
The Counseling Center has completed several visits to classrooms and department team meetings to increase visibility and collaboration with the counseling center. This level of collaboration increases student’s access to mental health education and potential interventions. Additionally, The Counseling Center presented during Professional Development Day. The presentation offered an opportunity for staff and faculty to learn ways to collaborate and partner with the counseling center to provide mental health support to Highline students. Staff and faculty were also given the opportunity to participate in mindfulness practice activities that can be used for themselves and also in their classes or interactions with students.
Women’s Programs is hosting the annual Giving Tree Program. Every year Highline College staff, faculty, and other community members, partner with Women’s Programs to support the Giving Tree Program. This program helps us to provide low-income WorkFirst students and their children with gifts and cheer in December. If you want to sponsor a WorkFirst student family, complete the form. Once your form is submitted, WP/WF will reach out to you with a student’s information and wish list and you’ll be asked to drop off gifts to the Women’s programs Office in the lower level of Building 6 by December 19th
In partnership with Institutional Advancement, ASHC hosted the annual Legislative Breakfast, which invites elected officials to campus to hear directly from students. Representative Steve Bergquist (11th District) and representative-elect Kristine Reeves (30th District) were in attendance, along with Dr. Jennifer Jones (who is also Highline faculty) and Luckisha Phillips from the Federal Way School Board. Two student speakers spoke about transportation and technology access, then all students in attendance participated in a roundtable discussion with Kristine Reeves and Dr. Jones.
The new Associated Students of Highline College vice president, Yahya Abdulmohsin, was confirmed by the ASHC council.
Veterans Services staff visited JBLM on November 16th to promote Highline College
Entry Advising’s snack and supply drive was successful. Gathered refreshments and supplies will help to create a welcoming environment for new students.
Division Honors and Achievements
Edwina Fui, Geomarc Panelo, and Amy Bergstrom graduated from the Social Justice Leadership Institute (SJLI), a cohort program that supports the development of culturally responsive social justice leaders of the community, technical colleges, and universities across Washington state.
Women’s Volleyball Won the Western Region Championship and advanced to the Final 8 in the NWAC Championship before losing to the eventual NWAC Champions Linn Benton. Men’s Soccer won the Western Region Championship and advanced to the NWAC final 4 before bowing out in overtime.
Loyal Allen Jr., Erin Hooyboer, and Ay Saechao recently received the Title IX Advisor training via the Association of Title IX Administrators. The training enhances the college’s ability to support and guide students through the Title IX process.
The Counseling Center applied to the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Grant. The grant was recently awarded and will be used to fund one counselor’s Trainer Certification for Mental Health First Aid.
Report submitted on Nov 27, 2022 by Interim Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Jamilyn Penn