Highline Community College

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY

DATE: April 11, 2008

CONTACT: Lisa Skari, (206) 878-3710, ext. 3705, lskari@highline.edu

Highline interim president invited to global development summit

DES MOINES, Wash. – Interim Highline Community College President Dr. Jack Bermingham has been invited to participate in the Higher Education Summit for Global Development, April 29-30 in Washington, D.C.

The global development conference is being led by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, and USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore. The conference will bring together government, philanthropic, educational and business leaders from around the world to share ideas, foster partnerships and find ways to help boost higher educational efforts in developing countries.

“I feel this honor is a reflection of the reputation that Highline has gained through its work in fostering international education and understanding,” said Dr. Bermingham, “since very few community colleges were invited to be represented at the summit.”

Dr. Bermingham added, “This invitation is also in response to our successful projects in Namibia and South Africa where Highline has developed several college partnerships featuring faculty exchanges and efforts to aid the development of higher education in southern Africa. “

In addition to its Africa work, Highline has a longstanding relationship with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, one of China’s most prestigious universities; has a growing relationship with colleges in Yangzhou, Kent’s sister city; and currently has a leading role in a project to bring international students to the U.S. to further their studies.

“Highline is one of three centers in the nation bringing international students to US campuses through this State Department-funded initiative,” Bermingham said. “I anticipate that Highline’s leadership in this project may be highlighted by Secretary Rice at the conference.”

As a member of Community Colleges for International Development (CCID), Highline has hosted students from Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, South Africa and Pakistan this year.

“Highline expects the Egyptian part of this project to grow, with faculty exchanges and more efforts to assist in the development of higher education in Egypt,” Bermingham said.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in

King County. With approximately 9,500 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening, on-line, and weekend classes.

With the most diverse population of any college in Washington State, Highline takes a multi-cultural approach to education for the success of all its students and the prosperity of its surrounding communities. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida and noted author Ann Rule.

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