Area Report for Board of Trustees

IA is happy to share news about monumental achievements in the past month, including the launching of the new top-level website (https://www.highline.edu), a successful Thunderbirds Soar on 11/2, the premiere of a new video ‘Why Highline’. Our team was active in the community and the region, volunteering at the ACCT Congress, attending board meetings for Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce and Soundside Alliance. The grants team provided support to ACHIEVE program for continued funding from the May and Stanley Smith Foundation. Foundation staff provided fiscal support for the Washington State Faculty and Staff of Color Conference and planning support for upcoming Black and Brown Male Summit on 11/16 and Student Legislative Breakfast on 12/4.

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

• The new top-level website launched on October 23, 2024. The new site incorporates admissions, registration and funding (financial aid) and the whole site is student focused, including pathway information, student life and student support services.
• May and Stanley Smith Foundation confirmed $100,000 over 2 years for the ACHIEVE program.

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

• Thunderbirds Soaring through the Decades was a success. More than 210 people attended on 11/2, including college leadership (members of Board of Trustees, Foundation Board and Executive Leadership), faculty, staff, community partners, alumni and community members. Sponsorships and contributions exceeded $64,000.
• IA participated in strategic planning retreats for Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce and Soundside Alliance, representing Highline in regional economic development and finding opportunities to promote Highline instructional programs.

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

• The HC Foundation serves as the fiscal agent for the Faculty and Staff of Color Conference, providing vital support for the conference, which is chaired by a Highline staff member and includes serving as the receiver of all registration funds and using those funds to pay all conference related expenses so that several hundred staff and faculty from throughout the state can experience professional and personal development in a peer supported environment.

Division Honors and Achievements

• Congratulations to Sharon Vail for her leadership and outstanding efforts and the Foundation team for the successful Thunderbirds Soar.
• Thank you to Melodie Smith and Tony Johnson for their leadership on launching the top-level website.
• Compliments to Kristina Arnold and Rachel Hartshorn on producing an excellent video featuring Highline students who shared ‘Why Highline.’

Report submitted by Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Joshua Gerstman