As president of Highline Community College, I’d like to welcome you on behalf of everyone here at the college.

Highline was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni, it’s one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education.

The community college system itself was founded more than a hundred years ago and has grown to more than eleven hundred two-year schools throughout the United States.

You know many graduates of community colleges, probably without realizing it. Filmmaker Walt Disney, actors Tom Hanks and Morgan Freeman, actress Annette Bening, fashion designer Calvin Klein, sports legend Jackie Robinson, and stateswoman Jeanne Kirkpatrick were all products of the community college system. They all got their start at a two-year college, demonstrating that community colleges provide a good start for future success.

Highline has its own list of distinguished alumni, including former mayor of Seattle Norm Rice, crime novelist Ann Rule, NBA player Brian Scalabrine, actor Alexis Denisof, and King County Superior Court Judge Joan DuBuque.

Just as those former students found, you’ll see that Highline is an excellent place for you to identify and pursue your educational goals. You’ll discover an exciting collegiate environment and high quality, comprehensive academic programs and services that make Highline a student’s college—student centered and career focused. You’ll also find an entire college community dedicated to helping you succeed.

I’m happy that I came to Highline in August of 2000. I hope you, too, will feel you’ve made a good choice. Welcome to Highline.

Priscilla J. Bell, President
Highline Community College

Highline Community College is nationally and internationally recognized as a premier community college, a reputation earned through the development of an institutional culture that values innovation, globalization of curriculum, and community participation. It is one of 34 community and technical colleges in the state of Washington.

Highline was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education.

The college offers a wide range of programs, including high-quality transfer, professional-technical, pre-college, continuing education, and developmental education programs. The outstanding academic preparation and work experience of the faculty bring a strong educational foundation and high academic standards to Highline.

While the majority of Highline’s students live in southwest King County, the number of students who come to Highline from other states and countries from around the world has grown significantly over the past few years. More than half of the students enroll in daytime classes; the rest attend evening classes.

The college’s main campus is located on an 80-acre wooded site overlooking Puget Sound, 20 minutes south of downtown Seattle. Classes are also held in the surrounding communities of Federal Way, Burien, and White Center.

Mission Statement

We—the faculty, staff, administrators, and Board of Trustees of Highline Community College—provide the members of our diverse and multi-faceted community with superior educational programs and services to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values necessary for productive, responsible, and meaningful lives. We seek to assist our student body and lead our community in fulfilling their life-long learning needs.

Vision Statement

Highline Community College is valued as the educational crossroads where dreams are shaped, communities created, and excellence achieved.

Values

Excellence: We strive for the highest quality in all our programs and services.

Access: We believe education should be available to all who seek it.

Commitment: We commit our energy and resources to our students, our local community, and their success.

Diversity: We respect the rights and perspectives of the diverse populations who study and work at our college.

Creativity: We encourage innovative thought and action.

Internationalization: We value a global perspective and respect cultural diversity.

Collaboration: We value teamwork, joint responsibility, and ownership.

Community: We value our local community and are dedicated to serving its educational needs.

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Strategic Plan and Initiatives

Highline Community College’s new strategic plan made its debut during the college’s 40th year. Adopted in November 2001 after a year-long planning process, the strategic plan includes four initiatives:

#1: Achieve excellence in teaching and learning.

#2: Enhance a college climate that values diversity and global perspectives.

#3: Strengthen and expand the presence and role of the college within the communities it serves.

#4: Continue to foster a college climate that nourishes the well being and productivity of the college community.

Highline’s faculty, staff, administrators, and Board of Trustees were proud of the college’s achievements over the past 40 years, feeling they had a strong base from which to build. Creating the new strategic plan, however, was their way to acknowledge and act on the fact that growth and change is important for an institution if it is to remain competitive and integral to the community.

For more information on Highline’s strategic plan, visit http://www.highline.edu/pres/sp2001/.

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Accreditation

Highline Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges and Universities of the Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. The commission’s offices are located at 8060 165th Avenue NE, Suite 100, Redmond, Washington 98052.

The Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission and approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.

The Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) in collaboration with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), on recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (CRB-AAMAE).

The Paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association.

State Board Approval

Highline Community College’s academic programs of study are approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s State Approving Agency (HECB/SAA) for enrollment of persons eligible to receive educational benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, U.S. code.

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Emergency Closures

Closure of classes or offices due to weather or other emergencies will be relayed to major local radio and television stations for broadcast. Information will also be available on Highline’s main campus phone line (206-878-3710) and on the Web site of the Public Schools Emergency Closure System: www.schoolreport.org.

Catalog Purpose

This catalog is published for informational purposes. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. However, the provisions of this catalog are not to be regarded as a contract between the student and the college. The college reserves all rights to make changes in policies, procedures, course offerings, calendar, tuition and fees, and other items for any reason.

Selected instructional and college policies can be found in the “Policies” section in the later portion of this catalog.

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Last Updated: 7/1/2003
2400 S. 240th St.
Des Moines, WA 98198
(206) 878-3710
TTY: (206) 870-4853
webmaster@highline.edu