Joe Ambler
2007 Graduate ~ Campus Leader ~ Exceptional Student

Experiences Take Him Higher at Highline Community College and Beyond

Joe Ambler credits his mother for getting him to go on to higher education. 

“My mom told me I was going to go to school…that’s final. And I wasn’t listening and one morning she woke me up and said we’re going to go somewhere. She took me to Highline Community College. She said to ‘get in there and go fill out your paperwork take that test.’ And, I did, and thanks to her I’m graduating right now.” 

Joe has become a role model at Highline Community College. 

“Just seeing students who, like me, didn’t think higher education was for them” helps Joe appreciate his experiences at Highline. Joe understands that he needs to be a role model for his siblings. “I see my sister struggling in school and I’m trying to be a role model. I just feel like I really need to be a role model to that younger generation and also to my own siblings.” 

Faculty and staff at Highline have said Joe is a leader at the college because of his involvement in Students Programs. He was actively involved in the United Latino Association, was a Union Crew member, and a Clubs and Communities Consultant. 

“I think the clubs and communities programs they have at Highline Community College is a great thing and they have done a really great job of getting students involved in Students Programs. All the staff and faculty have been so supportive I don’t think I’ve come across one person who told me I can’t do something. They always push me to excel and to work harder….when my work wasn’t quite good enough, they told me, you can do better. And they were right.” 

“I just want to thank all of them. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t think I’d be where I am right now.”