Area Report for Board of Trustees

I had a great opportunity to lead 10 faculty and Dr. Emily Lardner on a “Faculty Experiential Learning” professional development trip to Vietnam during spring break. We visited several institutions, including HCMC University of Science (part of the National University system in Vietnam) and Dong An Polytechnic College. Our delegation participated in some very productive exchange workshops with the Vietnamese faculty and students. In addition, we also visited the American Center at the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City to learn about student outreach efforts by the State Department. On our last official program day, we toured the Mekong Delta region to experience various cultural aspects of rural life in Vietnam.  Overall, it was a very successful trip with the participating faculty unanimously recommending for other colleagues to utilize their own professional development funds to partake in future trips.

We are continuing with the budget planning process for FY24 while still waiting for the final state (legislative) budget.  A budget planning presentation is scheduled for the April Board meeting to provide the trustees with additional information.

As part of the annual budget planning process, the student course fees for FY24 are being proposed for the Board’s approval in April.

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

Facilities:

• The renovation projects of B-21 and B-23 are set to begin April 10, 2023 and are expected to last about seven (7) months. For B-21, we are converting the former Physical Fitness Training lab to two large general classrooms.  For B-23, we are converting the entire third floor to faculty offices to house faculty from B-15.  Additionally, we are also renovating a smaller classroom on the first floor of B-23 to create a new Veterans Center.
• The construction of our new College Way entrance has begun with the clearing of East Parking Lot (north portion). Utility works will begin around May 1, 2023.

Global Programs:  We have selected four (4) Highline College students to participate in the Study Abroad (September 2023).  Two other students were also selected as alternates/backups.  It is expected for the program to include a total of 16 students from Highline College, Tacoma Community College, and North Seattle College.  In addition, we are inviting up to four faculty to join the Study Abroad trip as part of their professional development.

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

Global Programs:  We have been working with Foreign Trade University, Vietnam to plan and to host a global virtual workshop (currently scheduled on April 19, 2023).  The global virtual workshop provides an opportunity for students from Highline College to interact and exchange ideas with students from Vietnam.  Additionally, we are also expecting participation from students at North Seattle College, Tacoma Community College, Wenatchee Valley College, and University of Washington.

Core Theme 3: COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, Create a more inclusive working environment and a more valued, visible relationship with communities we serve

Finance: The Finance Department, under the leadership of Director Stefan Feller, has embarked on a new initiative to provide internal cross training among all employees to ensure broader learning opportunities as well as backups in case of absences and extenuating circumstances.  In addition, Finance Department has begun our annual fixed asset inventory process to account for safeguarding of college properties and resources.

Budgets and Grants: The Budgets and Grants team is in the process of surveying department managers across campus to gather data to evaluate the effectiveness of budget management services.

Facilities: The Campus Master Plan, that was presented to the Board of Trustees in March, is being finalized for printing and submission to the City of Des Moines for review.

Division Honors and Achievements

Facilities:  It is my great pleasure to welcome to Noah Hensley as our new Custodian 2.

Auxiliary Services:  It is also my great pleasure to announce the appointment of Naomi Kuhnly, a former student worker, as Retail Clerk Lead for the Bookstore.

Report submitted by Vice President of Administrative Services, Dr. Michael Pham