Area Report for Board of Trustees

As we quickly move from the beginning of Spring Quarter to nearing the spring toward Commencement, IA team members have been busy promoting and marketing programs,  advocating for funding and support and engaging our local community leaders to join college and foundation boards and committees. Highline marketing efforts are visible online through new campaigns promoting HEAL-MA and SUDP, and soon to be seen on Metro buses promoting CTE and BAS programs and on a billboard in Burien. IA and Foundation have provided support for campus events such as EXPO and upcoming youth summits and been present at local community events, including Seattle Southside Education and Workforce Summit on 4/24.

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

• IA (Communications and Marketing) and Foundation provided significant support to Highline EXPO, held on April 17, 2025, led by Outreach and with broad support from campus hosted more than 120 High School Seniors from Federal Way, Highline and Tukwila School Districts for a day of exploration of college programs. Outreach is following up by coordinating admissions clinics at the participating schools.
• Communications and Marketing are launching two external advertising campaigns: 1) Metro bus ads featuring CTE and BAS programs and a new billboard in Burien that will feature a recruiting message in Spanish.
• Grants office continues to work with TRiO to submit TRiO Talent Search Grant later this year (July) while waiting to hear on previously submitted TRiO Student Support Services (SSS). However, we continue to learn about separations of key contacts in Dept of Ed and program offices like TRiO and what the impact will be for Highline.

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

• To promote the HEAL-MA and SUDP programs on campus, the marketing team has been working closely with campus partners to create and display new advertisements online. This intentional work highlights and brings more visibility to these specific programs.
• The annual Foundation Scholarship Application for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open. The deadline to apply is Sunday, May 11^th at 11:59 p.m.
• Grants office provided significant support to one successful grant application to National Science Foundation while hearing back on proposals that while weren’t funded this cycle but hold promise for the future.

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

• On 4/16, the Highline College Foundation hosted the third annual Legends Luncheon, which celebrates retired faculty and staff. The event was well attended and a wonderful opportunity to see our former employees and learn about what they have been enjoying in their retirement. A big thank you to Rus Higley from the MaST center for his presentation on the bluntnose sixgill sharks that visit our corner of the Puget Sound, and the news of Redondo beach being recognized as the sixgill shark capital of the world. Thank you to our on-campus food service team, Jumpin’ Jambalaya, for catering this event.
• On 4/24, Highline College and Foundation are sponsors of the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Summit at accesso Showare Center. VP Gerstman is serving as a panelist and members of IA and AA are attending.
• IA staff attended COMTO Banquet on Friday, 4/11. COMTO is a professional organization dedicated to increasing representation and advancement for bipoc community members in the field of transportation. IA introductions led COMTO to holding their annual banquet in B8, where Conference Services and Jumpin Jambalaya provide excellent service and delicious food for the 220+guests in attendance.
• Center of Excellence for Global Trade and Supply Chain Management team are leading a statewide Securing the Supply Chain Summit: Building Resilience in the Supply Chain, which will be on April 24 at Columbia Basin College.

Division Honors and Achievements

• Reminder that nominations for Distinguished Alumni close on Friday, April 26. Special thanks to Tanisha Williams for leading the award process.

Report submitted by Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Joshua Gerstman