Area Report for Board of Trustees

The Equity, Diversity, and Transformation (EDT) Division is charged with embedding equity in everything we do at Highline College. Below are updates of the ongoing work.

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

• The College continues the journey towards becoming an institution of servingness through our HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) efforts. Staff from student leadership, outreach & recruitment, the support center, and workforce education services attended the national AHSIE conference (Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institutions Education) best practices conference. The conference provides practitioners from current and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions a forum through which they can share ideas, build partnerships, and influence the development of policies designed to increase student success and institutional effectiveness.

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

• Benefits Hub hosted two workshops for students: United Way King County Taxes (virtual) and Key Bank Credit 101 (in-person)
• The Unity Bridge Collective coordinated a Spring Break 2026 educational tour to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Washington, D.C. This high impact experience brought together students from Umoja, Highline Promise, Juntos, TRIO, and MESA to explore transfer pathways while engaging in culturally relevant and affirming learning environments. The tour was planned, facilitated, and chaperoned by the Director of Cultural Learning Communities. The cohort visited Howard University, Bowie State University, Morgan State University, and Coppin State University where students participated in campus tours, transfer admissions presentations, and opportunities to connect with current students and staff. In addition to the college visits, the experience centered Black history, identity, and cultural pride. Students visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which included a special exhibit on HBCUs, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, and landmarks along the National Mall such as the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. The group also supported Black owned businesses, reinforcing the importance of community and economic empowerment. This opportunity generated strong student interest with over 55 applicants for 12 available spots. Students were selected through a structured application and essay review process. This initiative reflects Highline College’s commitment to equity, access, and culturally responsive programming by providing students with meaningful exposure to transfer institutions and environments that affirm their identities while supporting their academic and personal success.

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

• The Highline Support Center’s SHoRe (Student Housing & Retention) WISH program co-presented with the King County Housing Authority and a Highline alumna at the Regional Housing Summit hosted by LISC, SBCTC, UWKC, and WSAC. Attendees ranged from funders, CTC system staff and faculty, and community based CBO’s. Elected officials included Senator Nobles and Rep Leavitt from District 28 and Rep Paul from District 10.

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

• In collaboration with the Faculty & Staff of Color Group’s (FSOCG) spirit week and the Equity Task Force (ETF) hosted the Winter Quarter Cultural/Identity/Affinity Community Conversation Hour and potluck . This initiative created intentional space for employees to build community, engage in meaningful dialogue, and celebrate the diverse identities that strengthen our campus culture. Spirit Week activities, including Collegiate Day and Hat Day, further promoted participation and community-building across the institution. This work advances Strategic Goal 4: Culture & Capacity by strengthening employee engagement and fostering a culture of belonging.
• The Vice President of Equity, Diversity and Transformation and the Director of Institutional Equity Strategies & Initiatives attended the 2026 National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) Annual Conference in Philadelphia. The conference theme, “Leading Through Complexity: Reclaiming Equity in Challenging Times,” focused on advancing equity-centered leadership, institutional accountability, and strategies to sustain inclusive excellence amid a shifting higher education landscape. Participation provided opportunities to engage with national thought leaders, explore promising practices, and strengthen professional networks. 

Report submitted by Vice President of Equity, Diversity and Transformation, Dra. Maríbel Jimenez