Area Report for Board of Trustees

Dear Trustees,

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the start of summer. I am pleased to share a few highlights from Student Services that reflect our continued commitment to Highline’s mission and vision through our four strategic themes.

We are grateful for a $18,000 donation from Soroptimist to Women’s Programs and a generous gift from long-time supporter Richard Cahall to the TRIO emergency fund. These contributions will directly support students facing life challenges. In enrollment news, we are seeing encouraging trends—Fall 2025 FTEs are up significantly compared to the same time last year. The Outreach and Recruitment team also continues to do outstanding work, having hosted 30 ThunderLab sessions that have helped guide prospective students toward enrollment.

TRIO programs continue to support student learning and re-engagement through summer enrichment activities and outreach to stopped-out students. Financial Aid and Workforce Education teams are preparing for the new academic year, ensuring a smooth transition for students who rely on tuition and book assistance.

I had the honor of attending the Southside Leadership Conference and moderating a fireside chat with Port of Seattle Commissioner Hamdi Mohamed. The conversation highlighted not only her public service but her historic leadership as the first Somali woman elected in Washington State.

We welcomed Chino Gonzalez as the inaugural Q Center Leadership Advisor and invested in training staff to better support students through Behavioral Intervention and CARE practices. A college-wide Commencement assessment is also underway. Related data will help us plan an even stronger ceremony for 2026.

This year’s T-Bird Golf Classico was a success with a full field of participants, and International Student Programs (ISP) welcomed Jenny Lee as the new front desk Program Coordinator.

Overall, Student Services staff remain focused on advancing Highline’s mission and vision while serving students and our broader community. It has been a wonderful year! Thank you for your continued support and commitment to Highline College’s students, faculty, and staff. Have a great summer.

Kind regards,
Dr. Jamilyn Penn
Vice President for Student Services

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

• We are grateful for the generous donation of $18,000 by Soroptimist to the Women’s Programs emergency funds, which will aid students who are experiencing extenuating circumstances. In addition, we are thankful to the local community member Richard Cahall for his donation to the TRIO emergency funds. Richard has been a long-time supporter of Highline College’s TRIO program.
• Unity Bridge Collective (TRIO Student Support Services, MESA, & Cultural Learning Communities) and Outreach & Recruitment are planning their annual Summer Bridge Program from August 26-27, 2025, which includes an overnight in Campus View. Tukwila Promise students, among other newly admitted Highline College students, will be invited to participate in this all-expenses-paid program. We look forward to reporting out on the outcomes of the Summer Bridge program later this summer.
• The athletic department is actively recruiting for next year. The Athletic Director reports that student athlete interest in and application to Highline College is treading upwards. Fall practices will commence on August 1, 2025.
• Enrollment snapshot:
  • Summer 2025 as of day 33rd of registration
  • FTEs: 2593 (up from 2472 in Summer 2024)
  • Headcount: 4948 (down from 4939 in Summer 2024)
  • Fall 2025 as of day 33rd of registration
  • FTEs: 2227 (up from 1844 in Fall 2024)
  • Headcount: 2965 (up from 2415 in Fall 2024)
• Summer deadlines:
  • June 25: Last day to enroll without faculty permission
  • June 26: Faculty’s permission required to add most classes
  • June 26: Financial Aid census date
  • June 26: Last date to drop for a 100% refund
  • July 7: Last day to drop a class without “W” grade
  • July 8: Last day to drop for a 40% refund
  • July 31: Last day to withdraw with “W” grade
  • Aug 14: Quarter ends
• International Student Program (ISP) staff report that VISA appointments are once again available to international students.
• Associate Director Tiffany Huang is on a recruitment trip to Keny and Rwanda
  • ISP Enrollment to date:
    • Summer New Student Orientation: 38 students
    • Summer 2025 HC = 158, Summer 2024 = 128
  • Director of Outreach & Recruitment, Donna Enguerra Simpson and her staff have been busy and effective. They have hosted 30 ThunderLab (outreach/enrollment) sessions. Related data reflects the following:
    • 30 outreach visits/sessions
    • 390 students served (* Please note that this number does not account for duplicates, so it is possible that some individuals were served more than once on a different visit)
    • 359 applications completed
    • 310 accounts activated
    • 221 funding completions
    • 32 Cohort Learning Communities (CLC) registrations
    • 143 students registered for courses

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

• TRIO Student Support Services & TRIO Talent Search had a STEM Workshop & Wild Waves Field Trip on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Students explored STEM careers and were able to create their own roller coaster models before departing for Wild Waves Theme & Water Park.
• TRIO Talent Search will be supporting stopped-out students during the summer (formerly known as the Highline College Achievement Program or HCAP). Students ages 27 years or younger who wish to return to Highline College can be served by TRIO Talent Search.
• Beginning July 1, 2025, Workforce Education Services (WES) will begin disbursement of funds to students. These funds may be used for tuition and book fees.
• The Financial Aid Department is closing out fiscal year 2024-2025 and setting up fiscal accounts for 2025-2026. Funds will be disbursed after July 1, 2025.

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

• Penn attended the Southside Leadership Conference, where she hosted the Leadership Fireside Chat. Dr. Penn interviewed Port of Seattle Commissioner Hamdi Mohamed. Commissioner Mohamed is not only a public servant, but she is also a pioneer, serving as the first Somali women elected in Washington State.

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

• Staff attended Behavioral Intervention and CARE training, which will help them to work more effectively with students who may experience related issues at any time during their time of enrollment at Highline College
• We welcome the new and inaugural Q Center Leadership Advisor, Chino Gonzalez
• Staff are conducting a Commencement assessment. Faculty and staff who were part of the tunnel crew during the event have been asked to complete a survey about the day/event. Graduates will also be surveyed. The data will be used to enhance Commencement 2026.

Division Honors and Achievements

• The T-Bird Golf Classico Fundraiser was a success with a full field of participants
• ISP hired Jenny Lee as the new Program Coordinator for the front desk

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