Area Report for Board of Trustees

Dear Board of Trustees,

May 2025 is a very active time for the Student Services Division. Highline College has officially launched the Tukwila Promise in partnership with Foster High School, the City of Tukwila, and Tukwila School District. We are currently in the recruitment phase, assisting students with applications and information sessions. Special thanks to TRiO Talent Search, Outreach & Recruitment, and Financial Aid for their leadership in this initiative.
Despite federal funding challenges, TRiO continues to exceed expectations, serving over 1,400 students since 2010 with an 85% persistence rate and 53% 4-year graduation rate. In April, 40 TRiO students visited the University of Washington, engaging with UW’s TRiO program staff and peers. We await news on our 2025–2030 TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) grant renewal in June or July.
Enrollment trended up across spring, summer, and fall terms. Additionally, we saw record engagement this quarter:

• Highline Expo welcomed 230 seniors
• Career Fair hosted 45 companies and 250 students
• Highline’s Got Talent filled Building 7 in a vibrant community showcase
• 80 student applicants for 25 leadership positions—our highest yet!

Across the college community, faculty and staff are excited to celebrate the 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 5 p.m. at Emerald Downs in Auburn, WA. I look forward to seeing the Board of Trustees at Commencement!

Kind regards,

Dr. Jamilyn Penn, Vice President of Student Services

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

• The Tukwila Promise program has begun. Highline College is working closely with Foster High School, the city of Tukwila, and Tukwila schools district to kick off the Tukwila Promise program. We are currently in the recruitment phase where students are applying for the Tukwila Promise program, attending information sessions to complete the Tukwila Promise application, and applying for admissions at Highline College. Foster High School students who complete the Tukwila Promise program will have the opportunity to receive Tukwila Promise funding during their enrollment at Highline College. Much appreciation to TRiO Talent Search, Outreach & Recruitment, Financial Aid in hosting and coordinating the information sessions.

• With the goal to increase transfer preparedness for our first-generation college students, TRiO conducted a University of Washington campus visit with around forty students participating. Students took a tour of campus and spoke with staff and students from the UW TRiO program.
• We expect notification from the US Department of Education regarding our TRiO Student Support Services 2025-2030 grant application in June. However, there may be a delay of notification that would push notification back to July.
• With TRiO identified by the Whitehouse as a recommended program to cut entirely, Highline College strongly advocates for TRiO and the students program staff impact every day. Since Highline College was awarded the TRiO grant in 2010, the program has served over 1,400 students to date, achieving the following outcomes that far exceed state and national benchmarks:
• 85% annual persistence rate
• 53% 4-year graduation rate
• 41% 4-year transfer rate 
• 81% of TRiO students served are BIPOC
• 74% are first-generation college and low-income (150% federal poverty) students
• On average TRiO Student Support Services supports 147 students/year
• Women’s Programs is thankful to receive a generous donation of $12,000 from Soroptomist. In addition, Women’s Programs and Soroptomist are in discussion to explore further partnership opportunities in the years to come.
• International Student Program (ISP) staff attended this year’s agent fair ‘Bright Now Can Achieve’ in Vancouver, BC with over 100 sub-agents present. Staff had a recruitment trip to Japan and the Philippines in April meeting with several agencies, universities, embassy, and student fairs. Highline College has new partnerships in development with University of San Carlos, Tenri University, and Fukushima Gakuin. ISP hired a new International Student Advisor, Thu Ho. Thu was formerly the ISP Front Desk Assistant.

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

• Counseling Center’s annual Week of Wellness (4/21-4/24) was a success. Over 60 students and several staff and faculty participated in activities focused on Self-Expression and Self-Care. Our Week of Wellness allowed space and time to slow down, self-reflect, and take a moment to oneself while also promoting taking care of one’s mental health and wellness meeting our delightful team in the process!

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

The Advising and Enrollment Services departments have been busy engaging with community partners:

• Highline Expo, Thursday April 17th, 2025
  • 230 Seniors, plus chaperones (final count)
• Transfer Fair, April 24th
  • 37 colleges and universities tabling
  • 160 students participated
• Career Fair, May 7th
  • 45 companies and organizations tabling
  • 250 students participated

Enrollment reports

• • Spring enrollment  as of day 63 of registration
    • FTEs: 6194 compared to 5399 on the same date in Spring 2024.
    • Headcount: 9094 compared to 8134 on the same date in Spring 2024.
  • Summer enrollment  as of day 3 of registration
    • FTEs: 248 compared to 214 on the same date in Summer 2024.
    • Headcount: 455 compared to 381 on the same date in Summer 2024.
  •  Fall enrollment  as of day 53 of registration
    • FTEs: 192 compared to 123 on the same date in Fall 2024.

Headcount: 278 compared to 176 on the same date in Fall 2024

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 Center is currently in their hiring season for Student Leaders for the 2025-2026 academic year- We had record breaking numbers with nearly 80 student applicants to fill 25 student leader spots
• Highline’s Got Talent took place on Thursday May 8th at 5:00 PM. This event was put forward by the Global Student Ambassadors with collaboration from the Public Speaking Center and International Student Programs to showcase different talents students hold. This event was massively successful, filling building 7 and building community

Upcoming Events:

• Pink Prom

Date: Thursday May 15th

Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Location: Building 8, Mt. Townsend

Presented by: LGBTQIA+ Task Force, Q Center, and CCIE

DJ, Dancing, and Drag performances

• Student Legacy Awards- The Highline College Student Legacy Awards is an annual campus celebration to honor, acknowledge, and applaud student contributions in their community for both academic achievement and campus involvement.

Date: Wednesday May 21st

Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Location: Building 8, Mt. Townsend, Mt. Constance, Mt. Olympus

• Global Fest: Global Fest 2025 is Highline College’s annual celebration of diversity, culture, and community! The event brings together students, staff, and faculty to showcase cultural pride through booths, performances, fashion, and food. It’s a high-energy, interactive festival where people connect, learn, and celebrate traditions from around the world.

Date: Thursday May 29th

Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Location: Building 8, Mt. Townsend

• Backyard Bash- Presented by: Global Student Ambassadors, The Learning Communities, International Student Programs, and Women’s Programs,this casual end-of-year celebration gives students an opportunity to take a break from studying for finals to be in community, play games, grill out, and reflect on the accomplishments

Date: Thursday June 5th

Time: 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Location: Softball fields & Pavilion

Division Honors and Achievements

Highline College’s student athletes had a great spring season:

• Congratulations to the 2025 NWAC Champions – Highline College Women’s Tennis
• Congratulations to the 2025 NWAC Singles / Doubles Champion / And Player of the Year, Sophia Crosby
• Congratulations to the 2025 NWAC Doubles Champions, Sophia Crosby and Caley Buchan
• Congratulations to Henleigh Elder,2025 NWAC Wally Henderson Sportsmanship Award

Report submitted by Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Jamilyn Penn