Board of Trustees Meeting

Location

Hybrid Meeting Format: offering both in-person and virtual meeting access

Minutes

Attendees

Board of Trustees: Chair Swenson, Vice Chair Bowman, Lorraine Chachere, Travis Exstrom, Jesse Johnson

Executive Cabinet: Interim President Penn, Josh Gerstman, Danielle Slota, Rolita Ezeonu, Josh Gerstman, Maribel Jimenez, Melanie Lawson, Michael Pham, Tim Wrye 

Assistant Attorney General: Michael Hemker

Absent: 

Study Session call to order: 9:00 a.m.

Discussion Topics

 

Review of proposed action items

• Action item a. Revision of Board Chair and Vice Chair Terms & Duties
• Action item b. 2026-27 Board officers and committee assignments
• Action item c. Resolution 183-2026 pertaining to authorization to expend funds
• Action item d. Tenure Recommendations
• Action item e. Approval of the 2026-27 S&A Budget

• Employee tuition waiver and safety management fee, Dr. Michael Pham 

Presidential recruitment, Christopher D. Lee, Ph.D 

Chris shared the proposed search timeline. Trustee Exstrom asked if there are conflicts of interest for the search firm. Chris commented that they are not aware of any that would be pertinent to this search. Trustee Chachere raised the topic of presidential trends lowering from 5-7 year terms to 3-4 year terms. Asked for strategies and support in recruiting someone who is prepared for longevity as well as how the college can support our successful candidate potentially through an executive coach. Chris shared that currently the national average for community colleges is 5.4 years. Mentioned the importance of an executive transition team that orients the president to the college and the community, an external executive coach for at least a one year period. VP Ezeonu asked how the applicant pool is right now nationally. Chris commented the market is challenging, it is not a highly sought position post-covid, however, he stressed that they excel at finding strong candidates that align with the specific asks and needs of their clients. Chris stressed that any questions about the process should be directed to the website or to email HighlineCollegePresident@dsgco.com. Trustee Exstrom asked the firm to speak on past no-confidence faculty votes that resulted in failed search processes. Chris commented that he would be happy to share more outside of this meeting about that specific circumstance. Spoke to the vetting process that they use including negative press searches as the growth of access to more thorough vetting processes continues to grow along with technology. Trustee Chachere asked if there is ever vetting done through conversation with community members at an individual’s current institution. Chris commented that they do have the ability to go as deep as the college desires within legal guidelines. Chair Swenson commented that if trustees want to shared additional contributions to inform the search profile development, they should reach out this week.

Meeting adjourned at 10:07 a.m.

 

Board of Trustees Meeting

Location

Hybrid Meeting Format: offering both in-person and virtual meeting access

General Session called to order at 10:30 a.m.

General Session Minutes

Attendees

Board of Trustees: Chair Swenson, Vice Chair Bowman, Lorraine Chachere, Travis Exstrom, Jesse Johnson

Executive Cabinet: Interim President Penn, Josh Gerstman, Danielle Slota, Rolita Ezeonu, Josh Gerstman, Maribel Jimenez, Melanie Lawson, Michael Pham, Tim Wrye 

Assistant Attorney General: John Clark for Michael Hemker

Absent: Jesse Johnson

General Session called to order: 11:02 a.m.

Approve minutes

Approve minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of May 21, 2026

Trustee Bowman motioned to approve, Trustee Exstrom seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Opportunity for public comment

 

Action Items

• Action item a. Revision of Board Chair and Vice Chair Terms & Duties

Trustee Bowman moved that the Board of Trustees revise the Roles of the Chair and Vice Chair as follows, to align with the updated draft terms of service and current Board practices:

 

Revise Role of Chair bullet 12 to read: 

Subject to Board approval, the Chair— or the Chair’s designee—shall serve as the Board’s primary representative in leading negotiations related to the President’s contract review and renewal process, in collaboration with the full Board.

 

Add new Role of Chair bullet 14 to read:

The Chair, in partnership with the Vice Chair, shall support the onboarding of newly appointed trustees and may serve as a mentor to new trustees for up to six months.

 

Revise Role of Vice Chair bullet 2 to read:

The Vice Chair appointment shall serve a term of one year commencing in July of each year. The Vice Chair may be re-elected up to three successive one-year terms and will rotate consecutively through each sitting board member.

 

Revise Role of Vice Chair bullet 3 to read:

The Vice Chair, in partnership with the Chair, shall support the onboarding of newly appointed trustees and may serve as a mentor to new trustees for up to six months.

 

Trustee Exstrom seconded. Motion carried.

• Action item b. 2026-27 Board officers and committee assignments

Trustee Bowman motioned that the following Highline College Board of Trustee committee member assignments for the 2026-27 academic year be approved effective July 1, 2026:

 

CHAIRPERSON: Sharmila Swenson

 

VICE CHAIRPERSON: Lorraine Chachere

 

ACT REPRESENTATIVE: Joseph Bowman

 

ACT LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE: Jesse Johnson

 

HIGHLINE COLLEGE FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVE: Lorraine Chachere

 

HIGHLINE COLLEGE FINANCE COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE(S): Travis Exstrom

 

Trustee Exstrom seconded. Motion carried.

 

• Action item c. Resolution 183-2026 pertaining to authorization to expend funds

Trustee Exstrom moved that WHEREAS, the new fiscal year will begin July 1, 2026; and 

WHEREAS, a final determination of the budget may not be made prior to the date of October 1, 2026; and 

WHEREAS, students have enrolled for summer session that will begin on June 22, 2026; and 

WHEREAS, the disruption of planned and scheduled activities could seriously hamper the College’s operations for the 2026-27 College year. 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees authorizes the Interim President of Highline College and designees to expend funds beginning July 1, 2026, to meet College needs at the same rate as in the 2025-26 (latest) approved budget, or as additionally authorized by legislative action to take effect July 1, 2026. This authorization expires October 1, 2026, or upon the date the Board passes the motion to adopt the final budget for FY2026-2027 if the Board’s action on the budget precedes October 1, 2026.

Trustee Bowman seconded. Motion carried.

• Action item d. Tenure Recommendations

Trustee Exstrom moved that having given due consideration to the recommendations of the Tenure Review Committee, the Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Rolita Ezeonu, and the recommendation of Interim President, Dr. Jamilyn Penn, I MOVE

 

THAT Continuation of Probation be granted to the following first-year probationers

• Jeanine Hatfield 

 

THAT Continuation of Probation be granted to the following second-year probationers

• Katie Baker 

 

THAT Tenure be granted to the following third-year probationers:

• Jacob Selander 

 

Trustee Bowman seconded. Motion carried.

• Action item e. Approval of the 2026-27 S&A Budget

Trustee Chachere moved per the Board’s legal authority, to approve the Student and Activities Budget for academic year 2026-27 in the amount of $2,536,162.43.

 

Trustee Bowman seconded. Motion carried.

Standing Reports

• Highline College Education Association: No report

• Washington Public Employees Association: Sheena Pennell

Recognized new shop stewards, moving from 8 to a total of 13 which is a record number for Highline College. 

• Faculty Senate: No report

• Associated Students of Highline College: No Report

• Highline College Foundation: Sharon Vail

Scholarship applications from a record number of students. Celebrated nursing pinning ceremony and the students that finished their programs. Ongoing plans with partners to continue to grow funding for their nursing students. Celebrated the ACHIEVE Capstone event and the success of our completing students.

Board Report

• Texture of the Sound, Tactile Artwork for KDM Station, Jenni Sandler, Charan Sachar & Sarah Kavage

Area reports

• Academic Affairs: Interim Dr. Rolita Ezeonu

Congratulated today’s tenure probationer’s and the graduating class of 2026. 

• Administrative Services: Dr. Michael Pham

Noted that it has been quite the year, extended gratitude to the trustees and executive cabinet for continued partnership and support. Spoke to the future of the states capital budget that continues to look bleak. Looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our graduating class next week. Expressed gratitude to the late Dr. John R. Mosby for the opportunity to serve on his executive cabinet.

• Equity, Diversity and Transformation: Dra. Maribel Jimenez

Written report stands as submitted

• Human Resources: Melanie Lawson

Vote for the potential new exempt staff union scheduled for June 12, 2026

• Information Technology Services: Tim Wrye

Strategic Planning section in his report calls out the priorities for next year focused on student completion, student funding, credential completion, and infrastructure and safety.

• Institutional Advancement: Joshua Gerstman

Spoke to the naming of City Attorney Tim George to Highline’s 2026 Distinguished Alum. 2026 FIFA World Cup – kicking off this week! Shared Highline College featured advertising that will run during the games.

• Student Services: Tony Garcia

Enrollment is growing! Over 900 students will walk on Thursday with an expected 5,000 attendees which places us at capacity risks for this year’s ceremony. Looking into options for next year’s celebration.

Interim President’s Remarks

 

Commencement is the most exciting time of year. Executive Cabinet in spaces and places celebrating our students at events across the community solidifying the leadership team’s “why”. Faculty will go off contract tomorrow but they are excited to participate in commencement next week. Celebrated everything our students and their faculty have been able to accomplish this past year. Wished those employees that have the summer off a wonderful season and looks forward to welcoming them back in the fall. Encouraged participation with the presidential search consulting firm during the posted feedback session. 

Unscheduled Business

Chair Swenson recognized PRIDE Month and congratulated the graduating class of 2026

Adjournment

 

General Session was adjourned: 12:01 p.m.

Minutes Signed and Approved

The meeting minutes from June 11, 2026, were approved and signed into record by Chair Swenson and Acting President Jamilyn Penn on July 16, 2026

Mission Statement: As a South King County college striving for social justice, Highline College partners with global students as they envision, plan and achieve their educational and professional goals.