Area Report for Board of Trustees

Over the past month, IA Division members have been involved in creating marketing materials and telling current student stories to inspire future students, securing scholarship funds and launching the scholarship program for the 2024-2025 academic year, collaborating with campus partners on submitting and finalizing grant programs and welcoming a new IA team member to Highline College.

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

• The Communications and Marketing team continues to produce videos and social media spotlights on current students such as Gabby Davidson, an Integrated Design Student, that provide inspiration and lead the way for prospective students to see themselves at Highline.
• Highline College Foundation Scholarship Application for 2024-2025 is now open and for the second year in a row, an additional $100,000 in scholarship funds are available thanks to the Connell Family.

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

• Grants and Government Relations has worked with Global Programs to submit an IDEAS grant to Department of State to seek support for developing potential short term study abroad program in Indonesia.

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

• The Gates Foundation formally announced the 4 regional Horizons Grant Awards. Highline College, in partnership with Federal Way Public Schools, Highline School District, Tukwila School District and Puget Sound ESD as the backbone organization are one of four partnerships to receive funding for the next 3 years.
• The Foundation is serving as the fiscal agent for a grant from the Port of Seattle’s South King County Fund to support the efforts of the Welcome Back Center, ELCAP and ANEW that provides immigrants and refugees opportunities to establish their credentials in industries that support workforce needs of the Port such as construction, engineering and the trades.
• At the 3/27 Highline Forum, a bi-monthly meeting hosted by the Port of Seattle and attended by local cities, Highline School District and Highline College, there was a special focus on tourism and hospitality. ASHC President and HOST student Devoni Young attended and shared her experiences at Highline and in the community, and her presentation was well received by attendees.
• Grants and Government Relations has worked with SBDC/StartZone team to submit a second Beginning Farmers (BFRD) grant to the NIFA program of US Dept of Agriculture. This new grant will continue to help local farmers from within the immigrant and refugee community of south King County and build capacity for community-based organizations such as Waukalima Farms and Living Well Kent.

Core Theme 4: CULTURE & CAPACITY: Promote a campus culture which fosters equity and inclusivity supporting employee growth and development, and institutional capacity for transformation.

Division Honors and Achievements

• IA and the Communications and Marketing team Welcome to Jess Underwood as the new Associate Director of Communications and Public Information.
• IA is proud to announce the 10^th annual of YELL Summit will be on Saturday, May 18^th. Special shout out to Tanisha Williams for her leadership and involvement for all 10 years of YELL and 14 years of the Black and Brown Male Summit.

Mission Statement: As a South King County college striving for social justice, Highline College partners with global students as they envision, plan and achieve their educational and professional goals.