Area Report for Board of Trustees

Dear Board of Trustees: 

I am deeply saddened about the passing of Dr. John R. Mosby, a loss felt across our campus and the broader community. His leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to students and our community have left a lasting imprint on this institution. During this time, our college is grieving the loss of a respected leader and colleague; however, we remain steadfast in continuing the important work Dr. Mosby helped advance. In doing so, we honor the legacy he leaves behind; one grounded in service, opportunity, and excellence. Dr. Mosby will be greatly missed. His impact will not be forgotten.

One of the most enduring aspects of Dr. Mosby’s legacy is the profound impact he had on students. He held an unwavering belief in their potential and consistently worked to expand opportunities that would help them succeed, both in the classroom and beyond. Dr. Mosby understood the transformative power of education and led with a deep commitment to removing barriers and creating meaningful pathways for achievement. Many of our students benefited directly from his vision, his advocacy, and his willingness to both listen and act. That impact will continue to be felt in the lives of those he supported and in the ongoing success of the institution he helped shape.

We see Dr. Mosby’s legacy reflected in the work of our campus community today, including through student leadership. I am very impressed by the level of care, thoughtfulness, and diligence demonstrated by our student leaders in developing the Services & Activities (S&A) budget for the 2026–2027 academic year. Their process reflected a strong commitment to collaboration, stewardship, and aligning resources with student needs. The Executive Cabinet is currently engaged in our own budget planning process, and we can certainly glean valuable insights from the students’ approach—particularly their intentional engagement and transparency.

As we move further into budget development, we are deliberately aligning our budget planning with our strategic planning efforts. These processes must go hand-in-hand to ensure that our resources are directly supporting our institutional priorities. Our strategic plan is centered on key focus areas: student retention, student funding, credential completion, infrastructure and safety. By integrating these priorities into our financial planning, we strengthen our ability to achieve meaningful and measurable outcomes for our students and community.

Highline College continues to demonstrate a strong and sustained commitment to inclusive excellence and supporting the success of every member of our community. Recently, the college hosted the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Symposium that was both well attended and deeply meaningful. This gathering created space for dialogue, understanding, and connection, while reinforcing our shared responsibility to better serve our Hispanic and Latinx students. It was impactful because it brought together diverse voices and centered student experiences, helping to translate institutional designation into actionable practices.

In addition, the college held the annual Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Day, which offered a wide range of learning and professional development opportunities for faculty and staff. These sessions encouraged reflection, skill-building, and continued growth in fostering an inclusive campus environment. The work being done across our community is both important and inspiring, and I am proud of the collective commitment shown by our employees to advance equity in meaningful ways.

Earlier this month, we experienced a campus lockdown. I want to commend our Security team for their professionalism and swift response. Their actions ensured that the situation was managed effectively, and I am relieved to report that all members of our community are safe. We will remain vigilant in our efforts, as the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff remains our highest priority.

As of May 21, the day of our next Board of Trustee meeting, we are 28 days away from Commencement. This is an exciting time for our institution. I look forward to celebrating the achievements and successes of our graduates alongside you.

Thank you for your continued support. 

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

• Attended the Western Governors University (WGU) Transfer Champion Event, where Highline College’s own Czarina Refuerzo was honored. This event recognizes students who have successfully transferred from Washington’s community and technical colleges to WGU and highlights the university’s strong partnership with the state, celebrating 15 years of collaboration with Washington’s CTC system.
• Provided a campus strategic work and activities update to the Highline College Foundation Board (HCFB). 
• Attended the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges (WACTC) two-day council monthly meeting for presidents and chancellors 
•  Engaged with community members at the annual Poetry Award Lunch 
• Meet with department chairs to discuss program areas of strength and areas of growth
• Participated in and provided closing remarks at the annual Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Day, where the keynote speaker was Dr. Harvey Hinton III, Center for Creative Leadership

Report submitted by Inter President, Dr. Jamilyn Penn